I’ll start by saying that we’ve been fans of Torie & Howard ever since they started.  In addition to being fine people (we met them at a food show), they happen to make outstanding candies.  We’ve reviewed everything they’re produced, so there’s no point in stopping now.

Before I go on though, a quick note about flavors.  Candy is all about fruit.  Think about it: there’s exceptions, but generally speaking all candy is harkening-or trying to harken-flavors from fruits.  Sure, there’s the chocolate side, but….that’s not why you’re here. We’re fruity.

If candy’s main goal is to make delicious fruit flavored things, then the #1 objective should be to replicate the actual taste of the fruit, right?  That’s the trick.  It’s not easy.  there’s many reasons for this, including the price of real fruit, the ease of using artificial flavors and binders and everything else including colors…and then there’s just skill.  Not all candy or candy makers are created equal.  But when you can eat a piece of candy flavored like an apple, and actually get that true taste memory of eating a perfect apple?  Well then you’re just playing with house money, friends.

You guys remember these?  We reviewed them years ago.  This is their fun new packaging (they also come in bags):

Today, I’m super excited to be reviewing their sour line of the same candies.  Hell, those originals had nice aspects of tang to them, but full on sour?  I was so happy I just had to go to a local ranch to take photos:

Instead of doing combo flavors like they’ve done in the past, these sour chewies are one flavor only. I haven’t been doing a lot of flavor by flavor breakdowns lately, so let me get my head in the game and tell you what I think.

Sour Apple:

Wow.  How many iterations of sour apple candy have you had?  If you’re like me, an 80’s kid, then you’ve had at least 200 I’m thinking.  This one is as good as any I’ve tried.  Further, there’s something extra to it.  When you’re done eating it, you get this taste/smell thing that’s just so damn real.  Yes, it’s a bit more sour than even a sour green apple, but not by much.  It’s very, very delicious.

Sour Cherry:

This one was softer than the apple.  Still really yummy, and definitely has a real cherry vibe.  But you guys know me-I’m a cherry hater.  It’s my least favorite candy flavor for some reason, so this flavor for me didn’t have the wow factor of the apple.

Sour Berry:

Oh hellllll yes. Not too sour at all-just the perfect level to accompany the berries. A combo of raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, these are really nice.  Kind of an interesting start to the flavor on them too, it’s not your garden variety mixed berry-I feel like it’s the inclusion and focus of the blueberries, you get that earthy….deep thing they have in spades.  Bravo! Really yummy.

If I’m going to knock these in any way, it would be on the consistency.  They’re pretty soft.  But sadly, I can’t knock them.   The reason these are soft is because of the ingredients-they’re real. Completely chemical-free, they’re using things like organic rice extract, grape extracted color, etc. A beautiful side benefit to using all real stuff is that it doesn’t “hold up” like chemical filled candies do.  Meaning…they firm up like a champ.  If you need your chews hard, just leave these around for 6 months.  Sure, they won’t STAY around that long, but that’s like…your problem, man.

I’ve actually done this, and they became perfect chew-wise (for me) in time.

Also there’s no:

GMO

Gluten

Dairy

Soy

Corn Syrup

Artificial flavors & colors.

Additionally, while there’s no “main” food allergies in these candies, they are made in a facility that processes nuts, dairy & soy.  That’s very different than being manufactured on shared equipment.  Yes, it’s still a risk for potential airborne contaminants and mistakes, but it’s a calculated risk.  And at least they’re making that information clear.

So once again, T&H crush it with their Sour Chewie Fruities.