The Good: Reasonably priced, Flavorful
The Bad: Hard coating is more irksome than interesting
The Basics: Jelly Belly Raspberries & Blackberries are coated gumdrops that are flavorful and worth trying.
As a fan of Jelly Belly jelly beans, I find myself thrilled whenever I find anything new from the company that I have not yet tried. So, when I had the chance to pick up the Raspberries & Blackberries candies, I was intrigued. Picking them up, I figure the first thing I can help clearly establish in my review is this: Jelly Belly Raspberries & Blackberries candies are basically gumdrops coated in nonpareils.
I have never been impressed, wowed, or even particularly interested in gumdrops. There are so many great, flavorful candies out there – chocolate, Jelly Belly jelly beans, etc. – that gumdrops never interested me before. Having generally enjoyed the Raspberries & Blackberries, I am forced to reconsider gumdrops some. Jelly Belly Raspberries & Blackberries are good and worth trying.
Basics
Raspberries & Blackberries is a flavor mix of Jelly Belly coated gumdrops. Jelly Belly gumdrops are approximately one-half inch tall by one and one quarter inch in diameter candy. These little candies are marketed to look like little berries and they live up. One of the things that separates these Raspberries & Blackberries from other gumdrops – other than the tiny ball nonpareil coating – is the way the gumdrops have the flavor all the way through each candy. These do not just have a flavor in the center or on the outer coating; they are flavored all the way through!
The Raspberries & Blackberries from Jelly Bellys are bulked in a ten pound box that will allow people to stock up at a more affordable and eco-friendly way. The ten pound box is a great way to stock up and more than enough for virtually anyone.
Ease Of Preparation
These are gumdrops, not trying to pick ten pounds of berries without running into bears. Consuming these is as easy as opening the box, the bag inside and pulling out the Raspberries & Blackberries one wants to eat. There is no additional prep needed. There is, however, restraint needed to keep one from just consuming these as soon as they begin pulling them out of the box!
Taste
On their own, the Blackberries have almost no aroma to them. The Raspberries smell just like the berries that they are supposed to embody. As a result, opening up the box, one is overcome with a strong scent of sweet raspberries.
On the tongue, the Blackberries are fruity and deep. While the gumdrop is sweet, there is a substantial berry flavor to it that is distinctive of actual blackberries. There is a smoky, almost grape flavor to the berries that is realistic, if overly sweet. The berry flavor is strong and delightful and as soon as the nonpareil coating falls off, the flavor explodes on the tongue delightfully!
The Raspberries are quite similar, in that the overly sweet nonpareil coating has to be rolled off the gumdrop before the full flavor is released. The very sweet flavor of raspberries explodes in the mouth, but then finishes with a realistic sourness that is indicative of actual raspberries. The tart finish to the Raspberries makes them even more addictive because they are not just generically sweet. The fruity flavor is surprisingly true to life and the sweetness returns after the sour touch, so the aftertaste is sweet and fruity!
Nutrition
These are gumdrop candies, not actual berries, so the Raspberries & Blackberries have no real nutritional benefit. These are a snack food, a dessert, and are in no way an adequate substitute for a real meal. A 2.75 ounce serving has 250 calories. The ten pound box has so many servings that one would get quite sugar-rushed if they were to consume the whole thing.
Jelly Belly Raspberries & Blackberries gumdrops are not as bad as they could be in the nutrition area. They have no fat and 2 grams of protein. They have only five percent of the daily sodium with 130 mg and they are gluten free and made with Kosher gelatin! The main ingredients are sugar, corn syrup and corn starch, so it made of mostly natural ingredients. These are made in a peanut free factory, as well!
Storage/Clean-up
Jelly Belly Raspberries & Blackberries gumdrops have a shelf life of over one year, though mine did not last nearly as long because I enjoyed them quite a bit. They remain freshest when they are kept in an airtight container (the bag is sufficient if it is kept closed and tightly resealed) and they ought to be kept in a lukewarm environment. Storing them in hot places is likely to make the slices stick together and be gross. Kept in a cool, dry place, the Raspberries & Blackberries retain their flavor perfectly. The box I picked up in December 2013 had an expiration date of November 3, 2014!
As for cleanup, unless one allows the Raspberries & Blackberries to get hot to the point that the nonpareils fall off or the gumdrops get sticky, these require no real cleanup.
Overall
Raspberries & Blackberries Jelly Belly gumdrops are flavorful and enjoyable candies, but not the most delightful twist on gumdrops I’ve yet tried. Still, for those who want a more flavorful gumdrop, the Raspberries & Blackberries are an interesting way to go!
For other Jelly Belly products reviewed by me, please check out:
Draft Beer Jelly Beans
Soda Pop Shoppe Gummi Bottles
Sunkist Fruit Gems
7/10
For other food or drink reviews, please visit my Food And Drink Review Index Page for an organized listing!
© 2014 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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