Sugar Savvy

There seems to be no end in sight for The Limited Editions from Hershey’s, as detailed in Cate’s recent post. This week’s sighting:

REESE’S BIG CUP WITH CARAMEL & NUTS
Special promo: 4/$1 at The Hollywood Fred Meyer in Portland, OR. There is no mention of this item on the Hershey’s website.

I wasn’t even looking for this new character from the Reese’s line-up of special guest stars. Rather, it found ME, as is usually the case, while otherwise minding my own business at the grocery store. Because, you know, the candy aisle is, like, TOTALLY on the way to the produce department at Fred Meyer (if you’re trying to log extra steps on the ol’ pedometer, that is…)

Wow. This Reese’s sure does have A LOT going on. With just one bite in my mouth, I was given the sensation of having raided my older brother’s or sister’s Halloween booty. I was suddenly nine years old, and in an effort to expedite the heist and not get caught red-handed, I had stuffed a Reese’s, a Kraft Caramel, a Chick-O-Stick and a few Peanut M+M’s in my mouth all at once. I felt as though I was engaged in some sort of naughty or illicit act.

The double-thickness of the Big Cup definitely contributes to this sensory overload. Taking just one bite, your mouth is at full capacity and truly working overtime. I was biting, sucking, and chewing, all the while receiving the crisp jolt of salt and sweet splashing over my palate, trickling down the edges of my tongue, into the back of my mouth and then finally, down my throat. I needed a good slug of cold water after only my first swallow.

Resorting to the sports analogy: if a Hershey’s Kiss or, say, Mr. Goodbar is a tennis match, The Reese’s Big Cup with Caramel and Nuts is a track meet. There is simultaneous action in every corner of your mouth: pole-vaulting at one end, the final lap of the 800 meter race at the other. In other words: never a dull moment.

I can’t decide if I love it or am repulsed by it, but I’m leaning towards the former. Not all reactions are positive, however. My friend Heather L. remarked: “I feel like I just ate an entire bag of candy after only one bite. My mouth is coated with a waxy film and I’ve already reached my saturation point.” This, by the way, coming from a woman who will eat brown sugar straight from a spoon - just like me. In any case, there’s really nothing innocuous about it - and whether you’re a lover or a hater, it’s safe to say that this one will make you sit up and take notice. Resorting to the show biz analogy, if Mr. Goodbar is Doris Day, The Reese’s Big Cup with Caramel and Nuts is Charo.