Whether it’s Haribo Gummy Bears at work, Sour Patch Kids at the movies, or Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers while gaming, I love gummy candies. What I don’t love is catching glimpses of an incorporeal Wilford Brimley out of the corner of my eye, his spectral vigil warning me of my inevitable type 2 diabetes diagnosis. A fistful of creepy crawlies might give me energy to spare, but unlike the natural sugars found in fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and nuts, they don’t help strengthen my bones and muscles or help my body fight infections. Sugars that do not provide health benefits are called added sugars, and according to the American Heart Association, American adults consume an average of 17 teaspoons of added sugar every day, more than 2-3 times the recommended amount for men and women respectively. This was the driving force behind the creation of Rotten Gummy Worms, a low-sugar, no-waste gummy worm candy that boasts to contain 60% less sugar than traditional gummy candies.
The health conscious will appreciate that Rotten Gummy Worms use of allulose, a natural sweetener found in foods like raisins and figs. This not only provides a naturally sweet taste but also ensures that you won’t experience those dreaded blood sugar spikes. The environmentally conscious will appreciate that these worms come packaged in 100% sustainable, compostable, plant-based materials. The bags are designed to turn into dirt at your local compost facility while the rest of the packaging is made from sustainable paper sources that come from FSC-certified forests. That’s great and all, but I don’t eat candy for health or habitat, I eat it ’cause it tastes good.
Rotten Gummy Worms are available in either original or sour (the latter being the clear winner in my personal taste test), with both featuring the same four festering flavors — Mischievous Mango, Barfin’ Blue Raspberry, Slobberin’ Strawberry, and Weirdo Watermelon. The flavors, particularly when partnered with the ultra-crunchy sugar coating in the sour version, are really good! Mischievous Mango delivers a tangy kick, Barfin’ Blue Raspberry brings a burst of fruity intensity, Slobberin’ Strawberry offers a sweet and slightly tart profile, and Weirdo Watermelon rounds out the quartet with its refreshing taste. Based purely on taste, I found Rotten Gummy Worms to be slightly more tart, more intense and more flavor forward than their artificially sweetened competition. As promised in the marketing copy, it’s the perfect amount of mouth puckering sour. Where some people might get thrown is the texture.
Rotten describes the texture as if “creepy crawlers got a fruit snack pregnant,” but a better description might be licorice-like; they have a firm mouthfeel, so if you’re expecting the softer, chewier elasticity of the classic gummy worm, you might be unpleasantly surprised. My sister said it was like expecting a Coke, but taking a big ‘ole sip of Pepsi. Once she got past the cognitive dissonance, she enjoyed the taste but remained adamant that these weren’t really gummy worms. I actually prefer the firmer texture, but that’s something to consider before you invest in $30 of candy.
While the branding might lean heavily into the “rotten” theme, the overall quality and flavor profile of these gummy worms suggest anything but decay. The reduction in sugar content is commendable, appealing to those who seek a balance between decadent indulgence and mindful consumption. With their innovative texture, vibrant flavors, and commitment to sustainability, these gummy worms are a delightful treat for those looking to feed their freaky side without compromising on taste or environmental impact.
This review is based on retail product provided by Rotten, Inc.
Feed your freak!
PROS
+ Low-sugar content
+ Zero-waste packaging
+ Great flavor…
+ …And even greater packaging and marketing
CONS
– Texture is firm like licorice, which some people *cough*Lauren*cough* might find unexpected and/or unwanted
– Minimum purchase of 8 bags
– Sold online only
