Candy comes in so many fun, colorful varieties. It’s exciting to discover new favorites as you taste-test a tantalizing array of flavors. Plus, there’s something nostalgic about a trip to the candy store. Show your sweet tooth some love this season with these options from local businesses around Berks.
1. Fun Ties.
Go ahead — this time it’s okay to play with your food. These soft strands of sweet strawberry licorice offer all kinds of twisty entertainment. Get creative and loop it, tie it in knots, practice your braiding skills or wind it into a tasty ball before you relish each delicious bite.
Red Strawberry Shoestring Licorice | $8.50/pound (prices are subject to change) | The Peppermint Stick Candy Store & Ice Cream Parlor | 26 E. Philadelphia Avenue, Boyertown | 610.473.2616 | peppermintstickcandystore.com
2. Grape Idea.
Combine your love of fruit and candy in one delectable morsel. These grapes are dipped in a pineapple candy coating for a crunchy burst of sweetness. Savor them individually or pair with Desired Sweetz’s other candied fruits like pineapples and mandarins, topped with a variety of sweet or sour candies.
Pineapple-flavored Candied Grapes | $15 for a bowl with one flavor| six-flavor sampler, $60 | Desired Sweetz | Reading | 484.848.8830 | Facebook: DesiredSweetz115
3. Tasty Transformation.
Enjoy your favorite classic candies in a completely new way. After being freeze-dried, saltwater taffy develops a new texture that’s comparable to a meringue cookie. Experience the intense tastes of more than 40 flavors like cotton candy, banana cream pie or pickle taffy and delight in every light, crunchy mouthful.
Freeze-dried Saltwater Taffy | $9 per bag | SubZero Freeze Dried Snacks | 484.578.9110 | Order online at freezedriedsnackstore.com. | Available at Redner’s Quick Shoppes, Reading Soda Works and Lattanzio’s Sandwich Shop
4. Valentine Classic.
Treat yourself to a special seasonal favorite. Juju hearts are a cherry-flavored gummy candy only available once a year. Celebrate the holiday of love and friendship by gifting a bag to friends, family and all the gummy enthusiasts in your life. Sit back and cherish each sweet, chewy bite.
Juju Hearts | $4 per bag | Zipf’s Candies by Sweet Surprises | 612 Penn Avenue, West Reading | 610.373.2121 | sweet-surprises.com
5. Scrumptious Squares.
Smooth, rich and creamy, fudge has a texture that makes it irresistible. Fresh-made by Sweet Things Candies, you can wow your taste buds with dynamic flavors like vanilla, peanut butter, salted caramel and mint. Indulge in a square as an afterdinner treat or share a box with someone special.
Homemade Fudge | $16.99/pound sold in increments of 2-inch squares (special: buy 4 squares and get 2 squares free) | Sweet Things Candies | Shillington Farmers Market | 10 S. Summit Avenue, Reading | 484.955.1893 | Facebook: MarcieBilger
Win it!
Score a bag of shoestring licorice from The Peppermint Stick, a bag of freeze-dried saltwater taffy from SubZero Freeze Dried Snacks or a bag of Juju Hearts from Zipf’s Sweet Surprises this month by entering online here. Good luck!
