My first trials were their Ginger Chews, three flavors, each excellent. However, my penchant for hard candy quickly turned my attention to the bag of Gin-Gins.

When I read “double strength” on the package I became a bit nervous. Don’t get me wrong, I love ginger, but double strength ginger is still slightly intimidating. I hesitantly opened the candy wrapper to discover a tasty looking yellow button candy. I popped it in, and my caution melted into pure enjoyment.

What I tasted was a deliciously sweet hard candy boosted with a pleasant ginger kick. A warm, slightly spicy heat emerged and took turns with the sugary sweet candy goodness.

Let the truth be told, I love this concept. Combining a hard candy for savoring, with the stomach-friendly properties of ginger is pure genius. As a post-meal treat, it is sure to satisfy and kick start the digestion process. Not to mention it is perfectly sized for travel (think car and airplane sickness). Of course, they are just plain tasty anyway.

The Ginger People call these candies “spicy-sweet pick-me-ups,” “warm and soothing,” with “pulses of sweet heat.” Really, I couldn’t put it better myself. They seem to have thought of everything…including a “recipe” for these little gems. They recommend dropping a Gin-Gin in your tea, just before steeping it with hot water.

This was certainly a very simple suggestion that must be put to the test. I selected a fairly neutral green tea for the initial taste test. The Gin-Gin added a very slight sweetness (two could have easily been added) and a hint of ginger warmth. This is definitely a teatime treat I will be experimenting with further.

My Extra Notes and Tips:

• Ingredients: Just sugar, glucose syrup, and ginger.
• One piece has just over 10 calories, if you can stop at one!
• Individually wrapped and very fairly priced, I recommend stashing these hard candies in your purse, and in the car for any unexpected queasiness.

Where to Purchase: All of The Ginger People’s products are available to purchase in stores or direct online for U.S. customers. Alas, they are not available internationally (via the web) as of yet, but hopefully in the future. Outside of the U.S. they can be found in select natural food stores in Canada, the UK, and Japan. They can also be ordered via Amazon.

Yet, plain old peeps and jellybeans are so yesterday.  As we transition into a world of socially, environmentally, and health conscious individuals, our candy too must eventually evolve.  Though it didn’t keep in lockstep with the energy bar revolution, candy is quickly gaining ground as small manufacturers present their organic and special diet sweets…just in time for Easter:

YummyEarth – Founded by two kid (and sugar) loving fathers, YummyEarth proudly manufactures organic, gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free, nut-free, kosher certified…whew…vegan lollipops and candy drops.  These all-natural gems come in fun flavors like pomegranate pucker, cheeky lemon, and mango tango.
Where to Purchase:  The easiest way to order YummyEarth confections is via Amazon.

Let’s Do Organic™ - Organic vegan gummi bears, what’s not to like?  Straying from their gummi ancestors (loaded with corn syrup and yellow #5), these gummis derive their colors from organic fruit juices.  They come in unique flavors, including apples, apricots, pineapples, blackcurrants licorice, and elderberries.  Plus, Let’s Do Organic promises sweets that are non-GMO, vegan (dairy, egg, and gelatin free) and gluten-free. 
Where to Purchase:  I have spotted Let’s Do Organic in various natural food stores, including Whole Foods.  You can also order their products online via Amazon.

College Farm Organics –This manufacturer boasts their line of organic Naturepops™, which contain absolutely no gluten, nuts, dairy, soy, or eggs, and they have been accepted by the U.S. Feingold Association.  Along with their three non-dairy, organic hard candies (roast coffee, chocolate mint, and luscious lemon), Naturepops™ are vegan and kosher certified.
Where to Purchase:  College Farm Organics are widely distributed.  View their list of retail stores, or buy direct online from Amazon.

PureFun™ - We are eagerly awaiting the release of Pure Fun’s organic hard candies, slated to hit Canadian and U.S. stores around April 15th.  In the mean time, their very popular (and colorful) Cotton Candy Floss is already available for Easter.  Pure Fun maintains a vegan (dairy, egg, and gelatin free), all natural, organic, gluten-free, and GMO free policy for all of their treats.  The new hard candies will surely appeal to all ages, with flavors like Go Goji Berry, Ginger Spice, Raging Raspberry, Pure Pomegranate, Giddy Green Apple, Canadian Maple, and Root Beer.
Where to Purchase: Pure Fun’s Candy Floss is already available via Amazon and in select stores.  Keep an eye on the shelves of your natural food grocer in the coming month’s, as other Pure Fun™ products should begin appearing.

Divvies – When diet and food allergies are the primary concern, Divvies comes to the rescue.  Their facility and products are guaranteed free of peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, and eggs.  For Easter baskets, Divvies offers fun filled bags of gumballs, jellybeans, blue rock candy and jawbreakers.  If you are seeking some extra holiday indulgence, they also ship freshly baked vegan (food allergy-friendly) cupcakes with frosting.
Where to Purchase:  Order Divvies cookies, popcorn, candy, and cupcakes direct from Divvies online.  Use the coupon code “DairyFree10″ for 10% off your order any time.

St. Claire’s - Last but not least, EcoNatural Solutions has also taken on the world of food allergies with their line of St. Claire’s Organic Tarts.  Packaged in single servings, these sweet tarts are vegan and free of all “top 8″ allergens. 
Where to Purchase:  St. Claire’s are available from select natural food retailers, or they can be bought online, direct from Amazon.

Sjaak’s Bunnies & Cream Eggs: The people at Sjaak’s never forget their vegan clientèle around the holidays. For Easter they wanted to make sure those who live without dairy and eggs won’t have to sacrifice chocolate bunnies:

• Organic Vegan Truffle Cream Eggs - A five piece bag wrapped in festive foil
• Organic Vegan Chocolate Sitting Bunny
• Organic Vegan Chocolate Basket with Bunny and Eggs
• Organic Vegan Chocolate Easter Eggs - A 12 piece bag wrapped in festive foil.
• Organic Vegan Nuts & Chews Spring box - A 9 piece assortment of caramels (yes, they are dairy-free!), nut clusters and toffees.

How to Purchase: For some odd reason, Whole Foods is not carrying their Easter line. However, these festive sweets can be purchased using the order form on Sjaak’s website, or online through Vegan Essentials. (Photo courtesy of Sjaak’s website.)

Bella’s Easter Cookies: Every “major” holiday, the folks at Bella’s roll out a special line of festive cookies. Since their regular line of vegan cookies has been getting so much attention, they decided to introduce three for easter:

• Vegan Coconut Sugar Cookies
• Vegan Lemon Sugar Cookies
• Vegan Gingerbunnies (gingerbread bunnies, sprinkled w/ organic confectioners sugar)

How to Purchase: Order your cookies direct from Bella’s online, or via phone, 302-684-8152 (Photo courtesy of Bella’s website.)

Allen’s Simply Delicious Vegan “Milk” Chocolate: This little chocolate shop boasts an impressive array of chocolates for various diets. Of particular note is their vegan line-up:

• Dairy-Free Belgian “Milk” Chocolates made with rice milk powder including Truffles (cherry crisp, mint, coconut), Bars (plain, hazelnut), and Almond Bark
• Coconut Milk Chocolate Fudge
• Easter Shaped Chocolates (various sizes available)
• Allen’s Belgian Chocolate Licorice Bar (another one that is too cool not to mention, gluten-free and vegan)

How to Purchase: Call Allen’s Gourmet Candies to order direct, (250) 352-7890. They will promptly ship to locations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Gluten-free and sugar-free chocolate goodies are also available. (Photo courtesy of Allen’s website.”

Sweet Earth Chocolate Bunnies & Eggs: If you like your chocolate bunnies to come with a conscience, then Sweet Earth is the place to shop. Their organic, fair trade guarantee delivers high-quality dark chocolates in cute and tasty shapes:

• Dark Chocolate Easter Eggs
• Dark Chocolate Easter Bunnies
• Vegan Peanut Butter Cups (not traditional Easter, but how could I not mention them!)

How to Purchase: Order eggs, bunnies, and PB cups direct from Sweet Earth Chocolates online. (Photo courtesy of Sweet Earth’s website.)

Now that your baskets are brimming over with chocolate and cookies, we can discuss the straight sugar injection…candy. Check back soon, as my next Sugar Savvy update promises organic, vegan, and food allergy-friendly candy to fill those plastic Easter eggs.