I Like Candy
Let me tell you about my hometown: Alpine, Utah. It has one gas station. It does not have a grocery store. For restaurants, you have your choice between Dmitri’s Pizza and a Hogi Yogi (a sandwich chain). And that’s pretty much it, commerce-wise.
Oh, except for one strange anomaly: there are two dedicated candy stores. One of them is Choclatier Blue, a high-end, handmade candy store where each chocolate is a work of art (and is priced like a work of art). I go there on Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Susan’s Birthday, and our Anniversary.
The other place is called the Peppermint Place, and they mostly just sell stuff brought in from other candy manufacturers. Kind of a cutesy downscale Mrs. Sees.
But I recently discovered my brand new favorite candy at the Peppermint Place: Candy-Coated Sunflower Seeds.
Behold:
The idea is simple: They’re just like Peanut M&Ms, but with sunflower seeds instead of peanuts.
And they are so delicious.
The brilliance is obvious, when you think about it. Just think about what you like about M&Ms, and you’ll realize Sunflower M&Ms are even better.
- It’s not the chocolate that makes M&Ms so great; the chocolate is pretty pedestrian. It’s the candy shell crunch around the chocolate. And since sunflower seeds are tiny, you get more of that candy crunch with a handful.
- Peanut M&Ms are too big. I like the way they taste, but they’re the wrong size. A handful is just five or six. A handful of Sunflower M&Ms is like a thousand.
- The peanuts in Peanut M&Ms are too powerful. Mostly what you taste and feel are peanuts. Sunflower seeds are relatively soft, mellow-tasting and don’t overwhelm the chocolate and candy coating.
In one hour, I head out to Moab. I’m going to buy a five pound bag of these things for the ride.
PS: Turns out they’re available online. Click here or just Google chocolate sunflower seeds.
Comment by Bob | 04.25.2008 | 9:23 am
That sounds pretty good. I’ve often wondered how chocolate covered corn nuts would taste.
Comment by TexasGal | 04.25.2008 | 9:41 am
Chocolate covered sunflower seeds are the greatest – the only bad thing about them is that they disappear too quickly
Comment by Bryan (not that one) | 04.25.2008 | 9:43 am
“I’m going to buy a five pound bag of these things for the ride.”
For the car ride to Moab or for the RAWROD ride? Maybe you should get ten pounds so you have five pounds for each ride. :-)
Comment by nickc | 04.25.2008 | 10:04 am
Chocolate is good, chocolate covering nuts (hateful, hateful) is a waste of a good foodstuff. Chocolate covering bird seed is a crime against humanity.
Comment by graisseux | 04.25.2008 | 10:26 am
Wait, so the sunflower seeds have chocolate and a candy shell, right? If it’s just the candy shell I’m not interested; but with chocolate and shell all of a sudden we’re in business. Like those Hershey’s eggs that only come out around Easter. The shell around them adds immense value to the otherwise pedestrian Hershey’s chocolate. When you add in some sort of nut to the shell-chocolate combo you’ve got a masterpiece.
Man, I’d use a funnel to eat those things. Just pour ‘em down.
Comment by bikemike | 04.25.2008 | 10:39 am
are they coated with chocolate before or after they are taken out of the shell. cause if you have to do that God-awful baseball(the worst pro sport in the universe)sitting-on-the-bench-cracking-and-spitting-out-the-shell-thing-to-kill-time, count me out. if not, then i’m in for 50 pounds or so.
have mucho funness this weekend and keep the rubber side down.
Comment by Matt | 04.25.2008 | 10:46 am
Trader Joe’s Groceries [http://www.traderjoes.com/] has these too. Yep, very good and different indeed.
Comment by Anonymous | 04.25.2008 | 11:01 am
They’re in the bulk food section of my grocery store in Boise. They are awesome.
Comment by VA Biker | 04.25.2008 | 11:04 am
Wait, from the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup official spokesperson, comes the declaration that “Peanut M&M’s are too powerful”? Huh? Would seem that a natural peanut would be less powerful than the goop in peanut butter cup.
Could it be that you’re working for Heshey/H.B. Reese, and just have it in for M&M/Mars? That wacko Mars family must be put in its place, right? Does Hershey pay in chocolate?
(You should dig out that RR post on everything Reese’s. I recall in it was profile of everything in excess. It was a good one.)
PS – I’m not guiltless in this commentary, as I know the mfrs of most chocolate-related products. A cyclist needs fuel, right?
Comment by judi | 04.25.2008 | 11:04 am
Chocolate sunflower seeds do not sound good at all. Uck. Peanut M&M’s are the best.
Comment by UtRacerDad | 04.25.2008 | 11:30 am
Have fun in moab, I’ll be thinking of all of you as I sit in the shop on saturday :). Have a great ride we expect a full report when you return.
Comment by Clydesteve | 04.25.2008 | 11:47 am
sometimes you feel like a nut…
and these will keep you from bonking, huh?
Comment by Rocky | 04.25.2008 | 1:19 pm
They are so yum. I find with these, however, that there is a saturation point where each little candy is less tasty than the last. It takes awhile. But it does happen.
I have never had this experience with any variety of the M&M family, especially the peanut butter variety.
Comment by kellene | 04.25.2008 | 1:37 pm
Not only are these sunflower seeds wonderful, but they also sell chocolate covered cinnamon bears that are GREAT! Who needs more fast food places when this sweet little candy shoppe is in walking distance to your house?!
Have fun in Moab…wind and all!
Comment by Lins - Aust | 04.25.2008 | 1:56 pm
Are the candy coated sunflower seeds going to replace the M&Ms in your list of “The Seven Perfect Foods”?
http://www.fatcyclist.com/2007/03/29/the-seven-perfect-foods/
Comment by Devin | 04.25.2008 | 1:58 pm
The problem is that they are so small that they easily find there way into bad spots. Like my dress shirt pocket. Later, I found a little red spot in a corner of the pocket–a nice reminder of the escapee.
Also, I wish there was just a bit more chocolate.
I remember the Peppermint Palace well from when we lived in Cedar Hills a few years ago. Cool place.
Comment by KT | 04.25.2008 | 2:05 pm
Sunflower seeds are nature’s best snack food– ever.
Roasted in the shell (salty yummy time-killer!) or out (snack-em by the hundreds!), I LOVE them.
Haven’t tried them chocolate-covered, though; I’m atypical of my gender in that chocolate does not equal bliss; unless it’s dark chocolate, and then in certain smallish quantities.
Have fun this weekend! Don’t crash! :)
Comment by Hamish A | 04.25.2008 | 2:42 pm
I like candy of all kinds. I found that jelly babies are really good ride snacks (small, don’t melt, instant energy boost and you can make them suffer more than you on the climbs by eating their heads first).
I thought it would be a good idea to combine my love of those litle guys with some great belgian chocolate. You know what? it wasn’t such a good idea at all :o( Back to the drawing board!
Enjoy your candy coated seed and have a great weekend riding!
Comment by hobgoblin | 04.25.2008 | 3:41 pm
This sounds incredibly good. How many 5# bags should I buy?
Comment by KarrieLyne | 04.25.2008 | 5:44 pm
Mmmm…now these sound yummy. Does this mean they are healthier for you too? Heh….
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 04.25.2008 | 6:11 pm
Great, now when I run out of chocolate covered almonds I’ll have a fall back. None of which helps me overcome the 14 pounds I’ve gained since February.
Comment by Dobovedo | 04.25.2008 | 6:12 pm
Oh you evil, evil man.
I had to check out what they were, and just had to order some.
And six other things as well!!!
you evil, evil man.
Comment by Dobovedo | 04.25.2008 | 6:13 pm
BTW, I didn’t see you offer a coupon code… perhaps you could arrange a deal for us with your local connection and deal-arranging talents?
Oh… do I get extra points for ordering while wearing a fatcyclist.com T-shirt?
Comment by mgr | 04.25.2008 | 8:28 pm
Oh for the love of Pete why do I read this blog? First avocado on white bread sandwiches (which I love love love) and now chocolate covered sunflower seeds!!!
Please add the following words to your blog title: “Warning! How to Become a…”
(I have a recipe, by the way, for creamed corn with sunflower seeds. I only break it out at Thanksgiving, because it’s too darn good for ordinary days.)
Comment by Emily | 04.25.2008 | 9:56 pm
You know, I’ve seen those in the store and never thought to buy them. Now that you have presented me with a strong three-point program about how great they are I will definitely have to try them.
For me most of the problem with peanut MnMs is that each one has a peanut inside it. Gross.
Comment by Sanjay | 04.26.2008 | 12:02 am
I Like Candy but this candy is very very funny so is but very sweetnes.
Comment by Marrock | 04.26.2008 | 2:17 pm
Ok big guy, these little beauties make up for that mucus & mayo on white bread abomination you posted about on the 8th.
Comment by Don (cyclingphun.blogspot.com) | 04.27.2008 | 9:20 am
VA Biker: What a great post reference! I think you were referring to this one of Fatty’s, yes?
http://randomreviewer.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!4E0E3C618B689CDB!838.entry
That was truly cool. I, Monday or Tuesday, will be posting a new fave of mine. Stay tuned, I would love to know if Fatty will agree with me.
Comment by Anne | 04.27.2008 | 10:55 am
I thought you would appreciate this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-hCuYjvw2I&eurl=http://www.sisterskinny.com/search?updated-max=2008-04-02T08%3A38%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=14
Comment by Di | 04.27.2008 | 2:10 pm
“Peanut M&Ms are too big. I like the way they taste, but they’re the wrong size. A handful is just five or six. A handful of Sunflower M&Ms is like a thousand.”
I love Peanut M&Ms! YUM! Peanuts are the best. I also like sunflower seeds, and that candy looks great. I don’t feel the need to shove a thousand in my mouth, though. Actually, if I tried doing that, I’d probably only get 980 in there because 20 would drop into my cleavage. Then there is the whole finding the stray candy business. Are they good with beer? :-D
Comment by Kathy | 04.27.2008 | 6:39 pm
Big Mike — You’ve gained 14 pounds since February? Are you pregnant?
Comment by StrongBad | 04.28.2008 | 5:28 am
Fatty! Right in line with your cycling candy is something posted by a brother-BLOGger on Mountain Bike Riders.
It’s “Mo’s Bacon Bar” … available at Vosges
Chocolates!
Comment by Tez | 04.28.2008 | 11:59 am
You should get a cut of the sales on those bad boys! We just ordered a couple pounds of them and like a lot of you out there…some othere things!
Comment by Richard | 04.28.2008 | 12:27 pm
I came across these while taveling across Kansas….they are yummy.
Pingback by Chocolate Covered What? « Maspik Teruzim | 05.4.2008 | 9:27 am
[...] used to be signs on buses asking people to not throw the shells under the seats… (Found via Fat Cyclist via Weighty Words.) Published [...]
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