A Sweeter Journey: The Story of Sour Patch

Sweet and sour: the best of both worlds. What indulgent treat presents these confectionary night-and-day flavours so effectively, so creatively, and so deliciously as our hero, Sour Patch? We're going to find out.

The History of Sour Patch

Creation and Early Days

The history of Sour Patch is as sweet as sour as the candy itself. The name Sour Patch originated in the 1970s as an attempt to get into the zeitgeist created by the boom of TV shows based around space exploration. In their first iteration, these Martians were named Mars Men and later transformed into Sour Patch Kids.

Evolution Over Time

In the years since it entered the world as a simple sour candy, Sour Patch Kids have become an empire of flavours, textures and targeted senses – and their product line has expanded to reach more taste buds.

A Close Look at Sour Patch Kids

What Makes Them Special?

Sour Patch Kids candies are a type of gummy candy, but they're differently coated in a puckeringly tangy-sweet sugar that explodes sourness on your tongue before the mellow sweetness can relieve your mouth of the concern I don't want to be sour anymore!

The Magic Behind the Sour, Then Sweet Sensation

It is this unique taste profile that arises from the sour-sweet coating themselves with a combination of citric and tartaric acids where, once the sour layer has dissolved away, you now have a sweet fruity gummy underneath.

Key Ingredients

The four primary ingredients in Sour Patch Kids are sugar, invert sugar, corn syrup, and either citric acid or tartaric acid. Citric and tartaric acids give the ‘cereal pieces' their sour taste. A myriad of fruit flavours come from natural and artificial flavourings.

Are Sour Patch Kids Gluten-Free?

Fortunately for the gluten-intolerant, Sour Patch Kids are gluten-free – but that's always subject to change, so check the pack next time you buy a bag.

The Unexpected Blend: Curry Sour Patch Kids

Who would have thought that Sour Patch Kids would ever inspire a gourmet chef? Curry Sour Patch Kids combine sweet, sour and savoury. Try them and see.

The Rise of Sour Patch Energy Drinks

Introduction to Sour Patch Kids Energy Drink

Sour Patch Kids has also made the shift to energy drinks, proving yet again that there is almost no scope for perversity – be it human or mechanical – that the Tasts of Mankind developed in his monkey lab have not explored.

What Makes It Unique?

GHOST energy drink, based on the slime dust of Sour Patch Kids candy.The GHOST sour-patch-energy drink marks a unique confluence of events. First, its flavours are derived directly from the candies. So the Blue Raspberry one is based on the specific flavour and scent of real blue raspberry Sour Patch Kids candies.

But flavour is not the only punch in the cocktail: its formula packs one as well. Most energy drinks, notably the ubiquitous Bang energy drink, are one-note: they are superloaded with caffeine. In the words of GHOST, its natural caffeine content of 200 milligrams gives ‘a smoother, longer, less intense kick than the synthetic/lab made stuff … GHOST burns smoother, not tougher'. It also contains one gram each of the nootropics L-carnitine L-tarate (karnapure – a neurotransmitter) and taurine, 150 milligrams of alpha GPC (also a nootropic for focus), and 100 milligrams of neuro factor (coffee fruit extract).

Interestingly, though GHOST is an energy drink, it actually contains a few calories, something virtually none of its zero-calorie energy drink competitors have. As a result, many consumers argue that energy drinks with a little boost of calories tend to taste better than their non-calorie counterparts.

The Sweet Side: Sour Patch Strawberry

If you are lucky enough to find yourself with an extra one, the Sour Patch Strawberry, as it differentiates itself from the candy, is equal parts tart and sweet like a ripe, juicy strawberry.

A Pop-Culture Phenomenon: Stranger Things and Sour Patch Kids

Not only are Sour Patch Kids iconic in the candy aisle, they're iconic on television, too: in 2016 a special edition pack was released in partnership with the Netflix show Stranger Things (a decidedly delicious overlap between cultural production and confectionery).

The Unique Flavor Experience of Sour Patch Gum

For those seeking to extend the experience of sour-meets-sweet as long as possible, Sour Patch Kids gum allows for that too. The gum encapsulates the initial sour blast and subsequent sweetness as it is slowly masticated and dissolved.

Conclusion

Their rise from humble origins as Mars-themed candies to sweet and sour alchemists with a massive array of flavours and products has captured the hearts and taste buds of candy fans of all ages. Sour Patch Kids continue to embrace their enduring sour-then-sweet flavour profile while constantly refreshing their offerings in the confectionery marketplace.

FAQs

Tell us more about the ingredients that make Sour Patch Kids taste like a treat: Sour Patch Kids are made of sugar, invert sugar, and corn syrup. It also has citric and tartaric acids, which provide the sour taste and fruit flavours (strawberry, yummy orange, wild cherry, tropical fruit, lemon, sour melon and sour apple.)

Are Sour Patch Kids gluten-free?

Yes, Sour Patch Kids are gluten-free. Just be sure to check the label each time to make sure there wasn't a change in the ingredients or manufacturing process in response to this fan question.

What is the Sour Patch Kids energy drink?

The Sour Patch Kids energy drink is a brand new GHOST formula created to embody the essence of Sour Patch Kids candies, featuring natural caffeine, L-carnitine L-tarate, taurine, and alpha GPC for energy and focus.

What does the Strawberry Sour Patch taste like?

The Strawberry Sour Patch is a balance between sweet and sour, like a fresh – juicy strawberry.

What do Sour Patch Kids and Stranger Things have to do with each other?

In June of 2017, after the TV show Stranger Things had debuted on Netflix, Sour Patch Kids partnered with the show by making a special edition pack of the candies. The package designs for this special limited edition product featured the characters of Stranger Things, and invited viewers to ‘get one glove taste, get one mellow taste'. It continued: ‘Join the Party: Follow Sour Patch Kids on Netflix'. Pop-culture icons created a legacy beyond the confines of confectionery.