I love Kopper’s Rum Cordials. There are lots of flavors, but I prefer the tried and true combination of rum and dark chocolate. The Kopper’s Absinthe Cordials are a little different because they have a crunchy candy shell in addition to the dark chocolate layer. A little too much sugar for me, but the absinthe flavor - a combination of anise, lavender and juniper in my opinion - makes for an interesting treat.

I can’t remember if I’ve shared this photo or not. This is a piece, because it’s milk chocolate, that I’d never had before last year. See’s calls it the Butterscotch Square. But it’s not square. They say that it’s Firm brown sugar, vanilla buttercream but it’s not a cream at all, it’s more of a grainy fudge type thing with lots of butter. It really is a pure blast of sugar.

A simple little enrobed piece, a patty of chocolate with some crispy pecans. Simple.

I picked up these artisan candy coated chocolate lentils at the Fancy Food Show. They’re from the Artist’s Collection at Coco Chocolate from the United Kingdom. The box is clever and attractive and of course the lentils are made with good quality chocolate. They’re kind of like a flattened version of Cadbury Mini Eggs.

Pink, pink, pink and pink.

I reviewed these Hammond Pops before (this one was cherry).

Creamy peanut butter base with shards of toffee topped with fresh jam then encased in a beautifully airbrushed milk chocolate shell. I would like a whole box of these now. The photoset of the whole box is here.

This one is a little different for a new product announcement. It’s kind of a preview and a tease.

Name: Askinosie Liberia
Brand: Askinosie
Description: Several years ago we started a program called Chocolate University designed to engage the children in our neighborhood.  We want to inspire them about business and about a world beyond Springfield Missouri.  We started in the nearby elementary school, then to the middle school, and now have project at Central High School called “Cocoa Honors.”  Askinosie Chocolate is the sole funding source of Chocolate University by donating 100% of our tour proceeds to Community Foundation of the Ozarks for the benefit of this program.  In Fall 2009, 14 juniors from Central High School were selected to participate with us in the selection of the next cacao source country in Africa as part of an 18 month-long project.  We believe that this is the first single origin bar available in the world from Liberian beans.  Auction begins Sunday April 4 at 8 PM CST and ends the following Sunday.
Introduction Date: TBD
Notes: I’m very interested in this new microbatch of chocolate, I don’t think I’ll bid but I’ll definitely buy a couple of bars when it’s released to the general buying public. I love the San Jose del Tambo chocolate that Askinosie makes and their white chocolate, made with goat’s milk is fascinating.

And now on to other new candy products expected this year:

Name: Fruitzels
Brand: Waymouth Farms, Inc.
Description: The Original Pretzel-Shaped Gummi Fruit Snack Made with REAL Fruit Juice! 
Introduction Date: 03/01/10
Notes: Waymouth Farms are the same folks that make the Popzels, I guess they do all things pretzel themed. I like interesting shapes for my gummis, but I admit that I’m not fond of worms. So maybe this will be a good compromise. They’re gluten free and are fortified with Vitamins C and E. It looks like the flavors are cherry, apple, strawberry, orange, raspberry and lemon ... a pretty promising mix in my book, though I love a pineapple gummi.

Name: Tabasco Chocolate Truffles
Brand: Elmer Candy Corporation
Description: A dark chocolate shell giving way to a unique creamy center with a subtle Tabasco warmth. Not too hot, spicy or peppery just enough to be enjoyed by all chocolate lovers.
Introduction Date: 05/25/10
Notes: Hot peppers and chocolate aren’t new, but this is the first major branded version I’ve seen so far. I’ll probably give them a try when I see them, but I’m also concerned that the chocolate won’t be great quality. Elmer’s does a good Easter egg, but can they do an all year round candy like this.

Name: Bake Shoppe Cookie Dough Miniatures
Brand: The Promotion In Motion Companies, Inc.
Description: COOKIE DOUGH ON THE GO!™ Cookie Cough Lovers celebrate, because Bake Shoppe™ Cookie Dough Miniatures Are the Real Deal you’ve been craving! Our Butter-In-The-Batter™, Mixing Bowl Licking™, Heavenly Bite Size Cookie Dough Morsels™ are drenched in pure Milk Chocolate, to tantalize your taste buds! Enjoy our egg-free Bake Shoppe™ Cookie Dough Miniatures on the go, or, you can just savor them slowly…one delicious mouth-watering bite at a time! Bake Shoppe™ Cookie Dough Miniatures is offered in a 3.5 oz Concession Box.
Introduction Date: 4/15/10
Notes: Is this another brand of chocolate covered chewy cookies? Or are they just repackaged Cookie Dough Bites? It’d be nice if they had better chocolate on them than the original - though Albanese makes some tasty cookie bites as does Koppers for those looking for good quality ingredients.

Name: Belgian Chocolate Thins
Brand: Royal Chocolates NV
Description: Luscious chocolate thins (chips) filled with crispy rice puffs & available in the following flavours: milk, caramel, hazelnut, almond, dark & mint. The product will be available in single packs & multi packs.
Introduction Date: 06/01/10
Notes: Do these look familiar to anyone? I tried something danged familiar from Trader Joe’s last year. If these are the same, I’m sure some fans of them will be thrilled to see the other varieties. I can say that I’d be interested in the hazelnut and mint (though the description doesn’t say if they have crispies in them too).

Name: Hoja Verde Dark Chocolate
Brand: Hoja Verde
Description: Hoja Verde Dark Chocolate is the first Ecuadorian company to use Fair Trade certified, premium “Arriba” cacao. This unique chocolate is made from single-origin cacao beans grown by small farmers in the tropical lowlands of Ecuador. Our company is proud to build enduring and equitable relationships with small farmer organizations. Ecuadorian cacao has long been recognized as the source of the world’s finest cacao beans. The “Arriba” cacao has captivated chocolate connoisseurs with its depth of flavor and its unequaled aroma. Sweetness comes naturally without artificial flavors or ingredients. The finished bar is a revelation for all the senses: its appearance, its aroma, the sound of the snap, the taste and the way it melts in your mouth. This isn’t just chocolate. It’s a journey through tannins, coffee, nuts, blackberry, cinnamon, fruits and flowers of the rain forest.
Introduction Date: 05/25/2010
Notes: Fair trade is all the rage now, and rightfully so. It’s an interesting trend to see all these smaller companies coming out with single origin or regionally sourced beans. I’m not sure how long it can be sustained and profitable but it’s an exciting time to be a chocolate lover. You can buy on their website now, they retail for $5.99 and the shipping is only 99 cents per bar.

Name: Haribo Fruity Frutti
Brand: Haribo of America, Inc
Description: Haribo’s new Fruity Frutti are 4oz bags full of pieces of gummi and foam with a juicy, fruity liquid filling. Fruity Frutti has no artificial colors and are made with Fruit Juice!
Introduction Date: 05/25/10
Notes: These remind me a bit of the Wonka Sploshberries, which also have a foamy base and a gooey center - though those are in berry flavors. I can’t say that my personal interest in these is that high since I just don’t click with the goo filled gummis. The no artificial colors element will probably make these a great option for parents looking for flavorful candies that kids won’t turn their noses up at.

Name: Natural Vines
Brand: American Licorice Co.
Description: Natural Vines, premium soft licorice twists made without artificial flavors and preservatives, are new from the American Licorice Co. Addressing demand from health-conscious consumers, the company says the licorice twists are sweetened with cane sugar, are low in sodium, contain no trans fat and are cholesterol-free. Black and strawberry varieties will debut in select grocery stores, natural markets and gourmet food distributors in May. Holding eight ounces, reclosable standup bags have a retail of $3.49.
Introduction Date: May 2010
Notes: I tried the black licorice version at ExpoWest last month and enjoyed the mellow and woodsy flavor of these. They also don’t stick to teeth and are softer than the Red Vine Bites. I think the packaging is charming.

Name: Thingamajig
Brand: Hershey’s
Description: It’s Back! The greatest thing since Whatchamacallit. Thingamajig was a successful limited edition bar concept in 2009, helping to drive a 20% increase in Whatchamacallit bar sales.
Introduction Date:  Limited Edition 9/3/2010-12/3/2010
Notes: I reviewed Thingamajig when it came out last year about this time. It’s a fun bar and certainly different from anything else on the market. I think seasonal versions of popular bars are a great idea. It’d be nice if candy companies conveyed that information to consumers. It’s easy to understand the holiday versions of candy, but not these “here & gone” recurring limited editions.

Name: KIT-KAT Wafer Bar Dark
Brand: Hershey’s
Description: Back by popular demand, KitKat Dark, crisp wafers in dark chocolate. Satisfies without being overfilling. Unique taste and texture.
Introduction Date: 3/26/2010
Notes: Look for a big media push on this. I haven’t seen them in stores yet, but I always prefer a dark chocolate KitKat. It’s hard though, since I’ve had the truly dark premium KitKat Bitter version from Japan before, the Hershey’s version just doesn’t meet those expectations. I’m still eager to find them in stores and I know that there will be oodles of Americans who will begin the stockpiling now.

Name: Cookies ‘N Cream Bites
Brand: Taste of Nature
Description: A Taste of Nature, Inc.‘s brand new Cookies ‘N Cream Bites are an expansion of the company’s Cookie Dough Bites. Cookies ‘N Cream Bites feature a cream-and-cookie-crumble center, covered in a white “chocolatey” candy coating. The 3.1-ounce box has a SRP range between $1.09 and $1.29; the 4-ounce box has a SRP range between $1.49 and $1.79
Introduction Date: unknown
Notes: Since they already have a dark chocolate version, a white coating seems like a good idea. In my dream world it’d be some good, very dark Oreo cookie bits in the center covered in real cocoa butter white chocolate. These are not from my dream world and I’m already a little tentative to try them because of the “chocolatey” coating.

Candy photos and images courtesy of the respective manufacturer.

Related Candies

1. Candy Tease: March 2010
2. Candy Tease Valentines 2010
3. Candy Tease: October 2009
4. Candy Tease: April 2009
5. Candy Tease: Spring 2009

Actually, don’t eat these. They’re probably thirty years old. I really miss Pine Bros Throat Drops. They were glycerin cough drops, soothing and firm and slightly gummy after they softened up. They came in licorice and honey lemon. 

UPDATE: Pine Bros did come back. You can find them in drug stores in two flavors.