CANDY COUNTER
"Salty
licorice has
become a store addiction."
—Diane Campbell,
The Candy Store
PHOTO: BIGSTOCK
Sour, Salty and
Surprising Flavors
Tart, acidic and sour flavors made the 2013
Top Ten Food Trends list released by brand
strategy firm Sterling-Rice Group. In the
candy category, this trend is everywhere. But
along with ingredients that make customers
pucker, salty and surprising flavors are also
getting a great deal of attention.
Sour Sweets. Brands experts from
Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc.,
a manufacturer and marketer of brandname confections and fruit snacks, located
in Allendale, N.J., report that PIM's sour
products grew six percent in the 52 weeks
ending January 27, 2013. Sour Jacks gummies—in flavors such as watermelon, lime
and lemon—grew more than two times as
fast as the sour category in general. The
company notes that while Sour Jacks has
been an underdog in the category, they've
been helped by price increases among the
larger brands.
Westside Market's Zoitas also sees
sour flavors on the rise, especially with
mass-market brands such as Skittles, Jolly
Ranchers and Haribo gummies. The Candy
Store's Campbell agrees. "When it comes
to gummies, the more sour the better," she
says. "Our selection of Swedish gummies
are some of our best sellers. They are harder
and chewier and super sour."
At Robin's Candy in Great Barrington,
Mass., sour flavors are very strong sellers, according to owner Robin Helfand,
with Gimbals Sour Gourmet Jelly Bean
line, made with real fruit juice, as well
as Warheads, Toxic Waste and sweet-andsour Chupa Chups lollipops ranking as
customer favorites.
Summer Fancy Food Show Booth 2745
34 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE ❘ specialtyfood.com