Before I get started, I want to apologize profusely for missing the boat on this one! When I recently spotted them at the local Target, I wrongly assumed that they were a brand-new creation.
Unbeknownst to me...and perhaps to you...this flavor was actually introduced back in 2017. I should have brought these to your attention back then but I completely missed them! (Sorry! Maybe I was too busy hoarding Hershey Gold?) Since then, the flavor has been re-released at least once (2019) and is now apparently a permanent addition to the Twizzlers line-up.
Oh, and one additional housekeeping note before I jump into the review: Can we please STOP calling Twizzlers and Red Vines red licorice candies or licorice-type candy? Yes, they share the same basic shape and consistency, but so do many other foods and snacks. (You wouldn't call a lime a "lemon-type fruit," would you? Well...perhaps you would...)
Even though Twizzlers (est. 1845) and Red Vines (est. 1914) began as licorice candies, the non-licorice flavors have long surpassed the originals in popularity. In fact, strawberry now accounts for 70% of all Twizzlers sold. And after the American Licorice Company's cherry-flavored candy underwent a formula change in 1950 it became so popular that the company rebranded itself as "Red Vines"...even though no one can say conclusively what a red vine actually tastes like. Whatever you call them, though, these candies consist of wheat flour, corn syrup, sugar, dyes and flavoring but not licorice root...except for the actual licorice versions!
But I digress...
Back in 2006, Twizzlers had the brilliant idea of filling the hollow center of their twists with some sort of viscous edible material. It's not frosting, more like the gooey center of a Pop Tart, but like laws and sausages it is probably best not to ask how they are made (or what the filling is made of). The initial "filled twists" flavors were citrus punch and cherry kick, both of which are still around today; later, Twizzlers added strawberry lemonade, key lime pie and this orange cream pop flavor.
The orange flavor is similar to that of a Starburst--it's artificial, to be sure, but not too tangy our sour on its own, even before it gets smoothed out by the taste of the "cream" filling. Speaking of which, I'm actually surprised they didn't spell it "creme" as Hostess does to avoid the implication that there is anything even vaguely milk-related about it. It is vanilla flavored, I suppose, but not too strong. Together, the two flavors to approximate the smell (if not the texture, nor exactly the taste) of an orange cream popsicle.
My verdict? I've gone back and forth on this so many times that I've decided to split the difference and give it a "3" to indicate that it is just average.
I must warn you, though...there appears to be some strange Jedi mind-trick voodoo going on with these candies! I purchased these Twizzlers expecting them to taste horrible. Imagine my surprise when I actually liked them! I then told my wife that they were good; she had one and thought they were horrible. Knowing that I liked them, however, I ate another one the following day...and it was horrible. Finally, after I told a friend that they were horrible, he had one and thought they were good. Can you see the pattern now?
The bottom line is that as long as you pre-set your expectations mentally you can game the system. Tell yourself that these are disgusting and you just might like them. But, God forbid, don't think you will like them...or you definitely won't!
RATING: 3 / 5
