Initially, I thought the best way to experience Swedish candy was in a place with something of a Swedish vibe. Trouble is, the closest IKEA is 116 miles away and in Hamilton, Ontario. There’s a lot I’ll do for this blog, but traversing the madness that is the QEW is nothing to undertake on a whim. While the nearest Volvo car dealership is a mere 33 miles away, they weren’t too keen on the idea of anyone eating candy in one of their luxury vehicles, Swedish candy or not. Instead, I’m setting the mood with a few classic tunes from Abba’s Greatest Hits.

In truth, at this very moment, I can barely sit still. Not because of the annoying ABBA music, but thanks to the tremendous amount of sugar coursing through my blood vessels. Bubs candies are something of a meal. They’re not your typical bear sized gummy as they’re closer to the size of a chocolate chip cookie. I wanted to taste each of the available flavors, but consuming multiple bubs was a lot.

The bubs that I purchased were imported from Orkla Snacks in Sweden where they have been produced since 1992. Recently, thanks to an arrangement with a private label candy manufacturer in Texas, Mount Franklin Foods is now making Bubs at a facility in Mexico. The Bubs produced in Mexico are specifically made to appeal to the American market.

The mixed package contained “foamy gummies” with flavors like Banana Toffee, sour Tutti Frutti, and sour Strawberry Vanilla. The skull shaped gummies have a sour Lemon Raspberry flavor.

Bub’s candies are vegan and contain no gelatin, yet still, somehow contain a flavor reminiscent of gelatin. The sour skull bubs weren’t especially sour, but the flavor is distinct.

While bubs are gummies, their foamy element reminds me of circus peanuts. Do you remember circus peanuts? A banana flavored marshmallow candy with a distinct orange color that were originally sold from jars at five and dime stores.

Place a handful of gummies in a blender with a few circus peanuts and bubs your uncle.

I’m thinking 2 out of 5.

When opening a bag of Hershey’s Butterbeer Kisses, it’s difficult to miss the scent of butterscotch that immediately spills from the bag, engulfing the air with its potent aroma.

Beneath the familiar Hershey’s kiss foil, the “kiss” has a semi-soft butterscotch flavored shell, filled with what appears to be a vanilla cream center.

They’re a touch too sweet for my tastes, but have a very pleasant flavor reminiscent of butterbeer.

We’ll give them 3 out of 5.

Traditionally, goldfish crackers were a savory cheese flavored cracker, but in recent year they’ve branched out into sweet, graham cracker based crackers more reminiscent of cookies. Recent flavors have included cinnamon roll, cookies & cream, and vanilla cupcake.

Like other sweet varieties, Butterbeer flavored goldfish crackers are made of graham cracker but with butterscotch flavoring added.

To me, they seemed slightly bitter at first, but after a handful or two, they weren’t too bad. Not sure I would describe the flavor as “butterbeer”. They largely taste like a mild butterscotch flavored graham cracker.

The packaging is fabulous, so expectations were high. The crackers inside do not really deliver a unique flavor or experience though.

btw, Goldfish Butterbeer crackers contain genetically modified ingredients.

We’ll give them a 2 out of 5.

It’s difficult to imagine Easter without Peeps Marshmallows. A near certain way to have the kids bouncing off the ceiling. Ingredient #1 is sugar!

The package of Peeps Butterbeer Marshmallows says “Sweet Butterscotch with notes of shortbread.” Let’s just say the “notes of shortbread” must be really subtle because the butterscotch flavor itself is difficult to detect. The most prominent flavor is marshmallow with a gelatin aftertaste. The butterscotch color is fun.

What the heck, we’ll give it 3 out of 5.