Last night I broke open my son’s box of Good & Plenty. “Those are my FAVORITE, Dad! I want them!” he whined in Target over a MONTH ago. So I got them for him. He’s an only child, he’s spoiled, he gets whatever he wants, etc. He promptly forgot about them, so…there was my Wednesday night. As I was eating them, I was mentally comparing them to Villosa Sallos’ “Black & White” licorice. Conceptually, they’re similar: licorice enrobed in a thin candy shell. But that’s where the similarities end.
Good & Plenty have a specific, classic, “licorice taste”. Black & Whites taste nothing like them. First, take a gander at them:
Here’s the deal with these things: they’re about the size of a large Skittle, and as far as I can tell, the black ones taste the same as the white ones. But that taste…it floored me.
Licorice (and I’m not gonna say “black” licorice, ’cause that’s what licorice IS. No disrespect to Red Vines, but…that’s just red candy) has a variety of tastes, aftertastes, consistencies, etc. When done right, it’s the king of ALL candies. Matty and I agree, great licorice lives at the top of the food chain. An Apex Predator. When done wrong, it can be cloying, bitter, disgustingly salty, or worst of all, boring.
Black & Whites start of good enough- a nice, crisp, rich licorice flavor. When you continue chewing, you get a hint of salt-it’s very understated. Then, as an aftertaste, you get an amazing, lasting deep licorice flavor, with an even larger “sense” of salt. Seriously, it’s like a savory dish-the taste is that developed.
I originally got turned on to these by my friend Susie who lives in Germany. However, like I’m want to do with some of the more amazing German things I’ve tried, I ate the whole bag in one sitting before I could review them. It’s OK to hate me, just don’t hate me for this. I’m weak. Big Brother was on. Do the math.
However, Matty and I decided that we needed to pursue these to determine if my original judgment was clouded or correct. We picked up at least 10 bags between the 2 of us, and…ladies & gentlemen, we have a new winner. It’s with great pleasure that I announce to y’all THIS Candy Guru’s favorite licorice EVER. That’s right. Best. Ever.
There’s just something about these that keeps them from getting boring, too intense, or too anything. I was amazed last night at how over Good & Plenty’s I was after a few handfuls. I used to ADORE them. Now? Ruined. They’re like genetically produced licorice for foodies. And that’s all I’ll say.
They’re not easy to find, but our pals at Germandeli.com can hook you up.
I don’t often give ratings of 10 stars. But I’m doing it now, so get on the bus, or forever eat mediocre licorice. Your call.
