Mike & Ike Jelly Beans

         Did Mike and Ike call off the feud for Easter?       

Readers of this blog will (hopefully) know that one of my favorite candies is Mike & Ikes, specifically the cherry ones. I was extremely excited to see the Mike & Ike Jelly Beans and that might be an understatement. Looking at the bag in the store the one thing that stood out was that the jelly beans included a grape flavor, which means this could be a combination of regular Mike & Ikes and Jolly Joes....?

Well it is and it is absolutely glorious. A few friends have commented how Mike & Ikes were sort of elongated jelly beans, so making Mike & Ike flavored jelly beans seems like a no brainer. The flavor line-up for these beans includes the regular Mike & Ike flavors in addition to a pineapple flavor, something new to me. Before I even attempt to review these, I just have to say these beans are a must try for any Mike & Ike lover.

Mike & Ike Jelly Beans

Similarity to traditional beans: 8.0 - The beans are small but the consistency and layering is spot on with traditional beans. The shape of individual beans is less egg shaped and there are many that have flat bottoms. I can't really say more about the appearance because these beans are Mike & Ikes and could be square and I'd still crave them. They are not the traditional jelly bean consistency, but close enough to warrant a high score.

How the taste compares to the original candy: 9.6 - I can't rate this any higher. The cherry is the cherry from the regular Mike & Ikes. The grape is the Jolly Joe flavor. The rest, all almost identical to their non-seasonal candy counterparts. The rating is so high because not only are the flavors so good, they throw in the grape and the pineapple, which isn't bad at all!

Overall taste: 9.0 - I'm biased but I think any candy aficionado would agree there are few jelly beans out there that duplicate their classic taste more than these. I love Mike & Ikes so I do love these. They are not overly sweet, they have a great consistency, and can be eaten by the handful or individually and still pack an amazing flavor.

From left to right: lemon, pineapple, cherry, strawberry, grape, orange and lime

From the company: Serving size 23 pieces - 140 calories, 0g of fat, 36g of carbs, 27g of sugar and 0g of protein.

Swedish Fish Jelly Beans

                                                                                                

Having pounds of jelly beans in your house is dangerous. Since buying all the beans, I've had to replace four bags: two Starburst, Life Savers and a Mike & Ike. Despite breaking into those bags prematurely, I did not touch the bag that was possibly the most anticipated, the Swedish Fish Jelly Beans, for the sole reason that I was not sure I could find another bag. When I came across these, they were the last bag in the section.

Getting right to the beans (because when I ripped open the bag I dug in for a handful) there will be three areas for comparison and rating for all beans: similarity to a traditional candy bean, how the taste compares to the original candy (do Starburst beans capture the essence of Starburst flavor?) and lastly, overall taste.

Swedish Fish Jelly Beans

Similarity to a traditional bean: 6.0 - The beans are small, but that alone isn't the reason for this score. The shell is thick for the size and sort of merges into the jelly center, rather than there being a defined border. I feel the shell, in traditional beans, can typically be removed carefully with the teeth. The Swedish Fish beans however, do not completely feel that way.

How the taste compares to the original candy: 8.0 - This is exactly, if not better, than expected for flavor. True Swedish Fish are a category of their own, with the only argument being which size is the best. With that said, the beans really do capture the cherry sweetness in a completely different form.

Overall flavor: 6.9 - I want to give this a seven, I really do, but there is just something about these that make me feel like I won't finish the whole bag in one or two sittings. The bag is a bit large, but my candy binges are larger, and when I crave a candy or find something new and totally delicious (see Mike & Ike Fruit Twists) I lose control. I don't feel that about these but that's not to say I dislike them. They just haven't won me over.

Despite his appearance, the guy on the right tasted delicious

From the company: Serving size 33 pieces - 150 calories, 0g of fat, 37g of carbs, 27g of sugar, and 0g of protein.