Raise your hands: who remembers Grapeheads? C’mon 80’s kids, let’s see them! While we’re at it, how about Orangeheads, Cherryheads, Appleheads, and OF COURSE, Lemonheads?
I remember these. Beautifully packaged in tiny cardboard boxes, they were a quarter.
An aside: do you have ANY IDEA HOW OLD I SOUND saying that? THESE JUST COST A QUARTER IN MY DAY, SONNY! But they did, because the boxes were so small. This meant you could get 4 for a buck, ya feel me? And I guess…they still cost the same?
If you’re not familiar with them, they have a hard center surrounded by a softer, tart, outrageously flavorful not -too-thin coating. They’re amazing. But something happened in the last 15 years or so, and folks…it’s not a great development.
They all turned chewy.
That’s right. Lemonheads and Friends became “Chewy Lemonheads & Friends“. And now…those have taken over. Unlike the originals, they’re simply a soft (I guess kinda chewy) ball of the outside coating. I’m sure they’re more popular simply because more people prefer them, but not this guy.
Here’s the new rebranding:
I like it. Colorful, fun, it gets the point across.
And they certainly look…grape? Not quite as purple-y as I expected.
Honestly….they’re pretty good. But I have a bit of a problem with the entire concept. The whole marketing strategy is “bringing back the candies you used to love”…..but these didn’t even exist back in the day. They’re sorta related to the Grapeheads I loved, but they’re not the same thing.
The beauty of original Grapeheads was the process. The outer coating could be softened after tossing it in your mouth for a minute or two-then you could slowly chew it away, revealing the hard center, or crunch it up with the center….or, just continue sucking. The thing could last a long time.
These are just a quick, sweet, tart grape chew. Like a sour ball. And while they taste good, and do harken original Grapeheads in flavor, they don’t cut it for me. I’d always opt for the original.
Having said that: if you’re part of team Chewy, then of course, you’re gonna love these. And the bag is yoooooge.
They existed and were better than than when they all turned to heads in the early 90’s. Cherry ones were called cherry clan, and were like the best ones. Then apple was called johnny apple treats I believe. But the raddest thing that will never come back is candilicious. Like bigger starburst.
The original Alexander the Grape weren’t chewy. They also didn’t really taste like the classic grape bubble gum flavor. But it seems they are lost for ever. I probably would pay $50 to try them once more though.
They have these at Walgreens.
Team Chewy 🙂 Thanks for the review candy guru. Hard may be returning soon so let’s see what happens. Also that Amazon link is for the old me. The new me is at Walgreens, Dollar General and Dollar Tree. https://www.1908candy.com/stores
Great to know and thanks for the correction!
I gotta say, I remember them being called Alexander The Grapes. Grapehead is the newer name. See a picture here, yo. https://wonderfulworldofblog.blogspot.com/2006/03/what-ever-happened-to-alexander-grape.html
You’re right! You should write candy reviews!!!
You’re not old… 🙂 The Alexander the Grape candy I loved, just like you described, (softer coating and hard center) was 10 cents a box at the little store down the street. That was early 80’s. i was 12.
I miss ‘em!