Toxic Waste Sour Candy - An In-Depth Review
Candy lovers who crave an intense sour surge have likely encountered the bold, mouth-puckering candies from Toxic Waste. These tiny treats pack a powerfully tart punch that self-proclaimed "sour fiends" obsess over.
Toxic Waste's claim to fame is their outrageously sour coating encasing a chewy, fruit-flavored center. They offer a sensory explosion of mouth-watering sourness that hardcore candy fans clamor for.
This in-depth review covers everything you need to know about Toxic Waste's sour candies. Learn about their creation story, flavor options, sourness level, ingredients, where to buy them, and more to help you decide if these extreme candies are for you.
The Origin of Toxic Waste Candy
Toxic Waste was launched in the early 1990s by Candy Dynamics, a Chicago-based candy company. Their goal was to create the sourest candy imaginable and revel in intense, puckering sourness.
Using a custom sour coating they dubbed "Sour Smash," Toxic Waste was formulated to deliver cringe-worthy tartness along with fruity, chewy centers. The very first flavor produced was Cherri Bomb, which remains one of their most beloved flavors today.
According to company lore, Toxic Waste was named by school children during a naming contest. The intense sourness prompted associations with toxic materials and nuclear waste, inspiring the bold name.
Today, Toxic Waste is proudly touted as one of the sourest candies ever invented. The brand has expanded beyond the signature barrels to offer sour gumballs, sprays, drops, and more.
Toxic Waste Candy Flavors
Part of the fun with Toxic Waste is sampling the array of lip-smacking flavor combinations. Here are some of the most popular Toxic Waste varieties:
Toxic Waste Barrels
The signature Toxic Waste barrels contain an assortment of mini candies in flavors like:
- Cherri Bomb - cherry
- Sour Apple - green apple
- Black Cherry - black cherry
- Blue Raspberry - blue raspberry
- Watermelon - watermelon
Soft Chews
These larger soft chews come in flavors like:
- Blue Raspberry
- Cherry Cola
- Lemonade
- Orange
- Green Apple
Gumballs
Pick from assorted flavors of extra sour gumballs:
- Berry Blast
- Sour Apple
- Lemon Lime
- Mango
Drops & Dips
These sour drops and powdered candy dips offer flavors like:
- Atomic Rainbow Berry
- Lemonhead
- Wild Watermelon
- Blue Raspberry
- Cherry
Limited edition and seasonal releases means there are always new flavors to try too.
Toxic Waste's Signature Sourness
At the heart of Toxic Waste's appeal is their shockingly tart, mouth-puckering sour coating. So what makes it so sour?
The sour coating uses a blend of citric, malic, and lactic acid to generate its eye-watering tartness. This creates a cringe-worthy zing as the acids activate the sour taste buds on your tongue.
According to the brand, Cherri Bomb Barrels and Mystery flavor barrels are their sourest offerings. However, all Toxic Waste products are designed to make your lips pucker.
The sour intensity is rated on a scale of 1 to 10 displayed on the packaging. Most Toxic Waste candies fall between 4 and 7 to indicate moderate to extreme tartness.
Toxic Waste Ingredients
Since Toxic Waste has a novelty appeal based on intense sourness, let’s examine what’s actually in the candy.
Sour Coating Ingredients
The signature sour coating contains:
- Sugar
- CITRIC ACID, MALIC ACID, LACTIC ACID - provides sourness
- Maltodextrin
- Water
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Coloring agents (varies based on flavor)
Chewy Center Ingredients
The colorful, fruit-flavored center contains:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Modified food starch
- Natural and artificial flavors
- Coloring agents
- Carnauba wax
The candies are free of major allergens, though they do include corn and soy-based ingredients. They are considered gluten-free.
Where To Buy Toxic Waste Candy
Toxic Waste candies are sold at major stores throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and beyond. You can find a selection of their products at retailers like:
- Walmart
- Target
- 7-Eleven
- Rite Aid
- Meijer
- Kroger
- Albertsons
Toxic Waste candies are often displayed near the checkout area to entice impulse purchases. They cost between $1 to $3 per package or barrel depending on the size.
Many online retailers like Amazon, Candy Funhouse, and Sour Candy Depot also carry the brand's full line-up of sour candies. Purchasing online gives access to wider flavor variety and bulk quantity options.
Toxic Waste Candy Reviews
Fans of extreme sour candies express delight over the intense tartness of Toxic Waste. The candies have reached a cult-like status among self-proclaimed sour lovers. Positive feedback includes:
- Makes your mouth water and lips pucker instantly
- Long-lasting sour flavor
- Fun variety of fruity flavors
- Addictive taste keeps you reaching for more
- noveltycollectible barrels and packaging
Those who find the sourness too intense report that the candies make their tongues raw and irritated. Some also wish the chewy centers had more pronounced fruit flavors.
Overall, Toxic Waste receives glowing reviews from extreme sour candy devotees who love testing their tolerance for puckering, mouth-watering sourness.
Toxic Waste Candy Safety & Side Effects
Given the association with "toxic" waste, some may wonder - is Toxic Waste candy actually bad for you? Here's a look at possible side effects and safety concerns.
Citric Acid Effects
The high citric acid content makes this candy extra tangy. Citric acid is considered safe, especially in small amounts from food sources. However, some people report:
- Mouth irritation or canker sores from prolonged exposure to citric acid
- Stomachache, reflux, or irritation when consuming highly acidic foods
- Damage to tooth enamel over time from frequent acidic candy consumption
Choking Hazards
Toxic Waste barrels contain dozens of mini candies, making them a potential choking risk for small children. Supervise young kids when enjoying Toxic Waste candies.
Allergens
Toxic Waste candies contain corn and soy-based ingredients. Those with food allergies should read labels carefully and avoid flavors with problematic ingredients.
Lead in Candy
Some types of candies have come under scrutiny for trace amounts of lead. Toxic Waste states their candies are lead-free and safe when consumed in moderation.
Enjoying an occasional Toxic Waste barrel is unlikely to cause harm in healthy individuals. But overindulging may irritate your mouth, stomach, and teeth.
Toxic Waste Candy Lookalikes
The novelty packaging and branding of Toxic Waste has inspired similar "toxic" and "hazardous" themed sour candies to emerge. Common lookalikes include:
Hazardously Sour Candy
This nearly identical sour candy comes in barrels labeled with hazardous/radioactive symbols. The flavors and colors mimic Toxic Waste.
Xtreme Sourz Candy
Another Toxic Waste knock-off, Xtreme Sourz has the same style packaging and intense sour gel coatings encasing chewy fruit centers.
Sour Patch Kids Xtreme
The popular Sour Patch Kids brand now makes an "Xtreme" version using a sour powder coating reminiscent of Toxic Waste candies.
Cry Baby Extra Sour Gumballs
For sour gumball lovers, these extra tart gumballs copy Toxic Waste's style and promise of extreme sourness.
While not exact Toxic Waste replicas, these brands aim to capitalize on the popular concept of hazard-themed hyper-sour candies.
Should You Try Toxic Waste Candy?
If you pride yourself on tolerating the sourest candies, Toxic Waste belongs on your must-try list. The intense puckering sourness of the candy has earned it a legendary status.
Toxic Waste offers bold fruit flavors enveloped in cringe-worthy tartness that hardcore candy fans obsess over. The novelty branding and collectible packaging add to the brand's cult appeal.
While Toxic Waste is not for the faint of tongue, sour candy junkies can't get enough of testing their tolerance to the mouth-watering flavors. Brace your tastebuds and battle the barrel to see if you can handle one of the sourest treats around.
FAQs
How did Toxic Waste candy get its name?
According to the company, the name Toxic Waste was chosen by school children during a naming contest. The extremely sour flavor made kids associate the candy with toxic and nuclear waste materials.
What is Toxic Waste's sourest candy?
The sourest Toxic Waste candies are reported to be the Cherri Bomb barrels and Mystery flavor barrels. However, all of their candies are designed to deliver intense sourness.
Where can I buy Toxic Waste candy?
You can find Toxic Waste at major retailers like Walmart, Target, 7-Eleven, Kroger, and Albertsons. Online shops like Amazon and Candy Funhouse also carry the full range of Toxic Waste products.
Is Toxic Waste candy gluten-free?
Yes, Toxic Waste candies are considered gluten-free. However, they do contain corn and soy-based ingredients to note for allergy concerns.
Are Toxic Waste candies safe to eat?
Toxic Waste candies are considered safe for consumption in moderation by healthy individuals. The high acidity may cause mouth irritation if eating large quantities.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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