Watermelon Haribo & Major Melon MTN Dew
Spring has sprung, literally yesterday, but I'm already craving summer, and nothing says "summer" like watermelon. I have two different products today, one a candy, the other essentially humming bird nectar, who wants to take bets that I'll be bouncing off the walls later?
Both of these products are "new" but they're not new-new. I just hadn't gotten around to trying them.
Haribo: I wasn't entirely sure what to expect here. I thought they might taste like Trolli's version, which I love, but they have foamy layers in the rind-area that have the potential to mellow things out. When opened, they smell tangy, juicy, and artificial, but in a good way. It's recognizably watermelon, but far from realistic. I want to say these smell familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on what it is. It's tangier than Jolly Rancher's version, more bold than Trolli's, but there is definitely some kind of scent-based nose-talgia (ha!) that I am picking up on here. Maybe cucumber watermelon lotion from the ol' days of Bath and Body Works?
Taking a bite, there is more of a foamy, bouncy, chew than Trolli's slices, and the flavoring is more inline with watermelon flavored lollipops than other gummies, at least American-takes on watermelon gummies. It's bright, tangy, juicy, and a far cry from Kasugai's more natural take on the fruit, but it's good in it's own way. There is a tangy, sour, artificial aftertaste that a lot of foamy-gummies have. It hits right on the sides of my tongue and makes my mouth water. It's not bad per se, but it's not my favorite sensation. If you love tangy watermelon flavored lollipops, and foamy gummies, this will be perfect for you. Personally I like Trolli's better, but these will do in a pinch.
Major Melon MTN Dew: Okay, this one, when opened, doesn't smell recognizably watermelon at all. It's sweet, and tangy, and candy-like, but I don't smell anything that reads "watermelon" real, or artificial. Considering this contains 0% fruit juice, I'm not all that surprised.
That said, this smells sweet, fruity, and kind of tropical with a hint of lime to me. All the visuals scream "watermelon," but the smell to me says "pink Mountain Dew." Again, it's not a bad smell, I like it, but if I sniffed this I would never guess it was meant to be watermelon.
Taking a sip, it's syrupy sweet, like all MTN Dew flavors, and it tastes a bit more fake watermelon than it smells. Still, the flavoring it more like an interesting fruity take on a lemon-lime soda than anything else, and what fruit is added? I honestly couldn't tell you. I would likely guess papaya before thinking this was watermelon, but you know what? It's still pretty darn good.
Sometimes I think we've all gotten a bit too far away from the real foods that a lot of these items say they're flavored after. Let's look at Watermelon. I eat a ton of it every summer, it has a pulpy texture that, when ripe, crushes into juice like edible floral foam. It tastes sweet and refreshing, and the closer you get to the rind, the more it tastes like water and cucumber. Do either of these products embody any of those traits? Nope, not at all, but they're not trying to. They're trying to taste like the watermelon flavored candies of our childhood, a Xerox of a Xerox, if you will.
Though these are far from the real thing, that doesn't mean they're bad. I might pick Trolli over Haribo, but this MTN Dew? I'll probably buy a few bottles this summer to use as mixers for summer cocktails and drinks, or to blend with ice for a caffeine-packed slushy. It's yummy, summery, and a beautiful shade of pink, it just doesn't taste anything like real watermelon, but I don't think it's trying to.
Have you tried either of these? If not, what's your favorite watermelon candy/product?
Fans of these would also like: Tsamma Watermelon Juice, Watermelon Pop-Tarts, Kasugai Watermelon Gummies, Kabaya Ju-C Watermelon Tablets, or Watermelon Kombucha
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