Gummies. One of the most beloved American sweets. There’s Sugarfina, known for its high-priced candies, as well as Sweet Factory, which carries a range of flavored gummies at a much lower cost. But which one is worth the price?
As I walked into Sugarfina, I was captivated by a wall of colorful candy-filled boxes which were softly illuminated by the glow of white fluorescent lights. A staff member immediately greeted me and offered a sample of watermelon flavored sugar lips.
Their gummies come from all over the globe. There are colorful Kyoto Blossoms from Japan, Rosé Bears from Germany and other delights from France, Belgium and Spain.
One of these Valentine’s collection candy boxes is named You’re Berry Sweet with the flavor Sassy Strawberries and costs $7.50. They are dusted with a light layer of crystals and had just enough of a sour punch to make my lips pucker before the sour melted, giving way to the smooth, silky surface of the strawberry. The gummy is quite hard but will not stick to your teeth. I found it to be lacking a bit in sweetness, but I appreciated the subtle strawberry flavor that satisfied my taste buds.
As I entered Sweet Factory, I felt as if I had stepped into something out of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” The shop has a lively and vibrant atmosphere which is enhanced by its display of candies and stuffed animals.
There are large pipefuls of gummies and hard candies and tall jelly bean dispensers. The store also boasts a candy bar, which people can use to make their own sugary art.
Two of the many different gummies that Sweet Factory offers are the giant Haribo gummy bears and tricolored sour gummy worms. A bag containing a gummy bear and three worms costs approximately $2.37.
Both the bear and the worms have no distinctive flavor, similar to the Sugarfina berry gummies. The worms are slightly sour and each color has a different flavor. The green has a watermelon flavor, the yellow is citrus, the pink tastes like a grapefruit and the blue has a very pleasant raspberry touch.
The Haribo bear is also very chewy and is much smoother than the worms. It tastes like fruit punch, evoking nostalgic memories of drinking Hawaiian Punch.
Although both stores have vastly different price ranges, the taste of their products don’t differ much from one another. Sugarfina’s well-packaged, gift-ready selections are perfect for those who are looking to give a gourmet thank-you or holiday present.
While Sweet Factory’s packaging isn’t particularly fancy, it carries an equally large selection of candies and gummies, which is more practical for those who just want to snack on some sweets. Both stores can be found at the Westfield Santa Anita Mall in Arcadia.
TCHS School Newspaper