What to write what to write what to write…
Here are my problems:
We got some candy called Juicy Jells from some very nice people at Candy Basket. And it ain’t cheap candy, in fact the candy might be a little pissed off that I’m even calling it candy. It probably would prefer “sweets.” And we got 6 boxes at 7 bucks a pop. Generous.
And the sweets are in some very put-together packaging probably put in there by hand. Plus they have interesting flavors, like Meyer Lemon and orangeade. (But then they also have cherry pomegranate – and can we be honest? Pomegranate is the pesto of fruit. We don’t need anymore anything made with pomegranate.)
And then there are my kids who like these Juicy Jells. Wait. Sorry – they loooove these. And they’re a bit f-ing ridiculous about it if you ask me. The look on their faces when they eat them (they ask for one every night) is like they’re savoring dreamy chocolate velvet, eyes half closed. I imagine they look like I would if I was eating an amuse-bouche from French Laundry, “oh this is greeaaat! I loooove the sugar and the colorrrs and the flavors are reaaally yummy.” Seriously. That’s what they said one time. And they’re 6 and 4 years old for chrissake. What do they know about savoring ANYthing? They’d eat goddamn Gogurt and Lucky Charms all day if they could steal my Amex and drive themselves to Safeway. sigh.
The main problem, however, is that I don’t like these. And I feel bad for the kind people at Candy Basket – not because I don’t like their candy but because I don’t like this type of candy at all. They’re impawsomely soft jelly textured. With huge sugar crystals on the outside, the size of raw sugar. When you bite in, essentially you get crunchy big sugar around firm jello. Along with lil’ dumplings, perhaps gramma might like these too. But just not so much for me. I like hard gummies, as is evidenced ad nauseum if you search this site. Giving me juicy jells…is like giving me some of Tom Colicchio’s foie gras. I’m sure it’s great if you like duck or goose. But I don’t. So save your money and get me some frozen Sui Mai from Trader Joe’s. 
Flavorwise, the Juicy Jells are floral – a robust bouquet when you bite in. (Yes – I did really write that.) My fave to look at is the cherry pomegranate as you can see by the picture, left. My fave to eat is the orangeade. (I’m kinda weirding out how I suddenly like orange flavored candy. I never used to). The Asian Pear is ok – not sure it tastes like pear though. The kiwi strawberry tastes nothing like either of those, while the Meyer lemon tastes pretty right on.
Still, it’s not all piss and vinegar. You’ll be happy to know that Matty Jr Guru loves this kind of candy and I’m giving him all the rest so maybe he’ll chime in in the comments and give you jelly lovers a review from one of your own.
In the meantime, the other stuff from candy basket looks kinda good – like the licorice salt water taffy. Been there and bought that? Let us know how they were. I mean, these folks have been making candy since 1914. That’s almost 100 years. I have to imagine they’re doing something right.
