SNAPS are a retro candy that I didn’t know about until just a week or two ago. I was in Michael’s Arts and Crafts store and noticed it on the “retro” candy rack alongside Sugar Babies and Necco Slapsticks. “Oooooooo, what’s this?” I thought to myself as I picked up the package.
It was definitely a retro candy with it’s bold and simple graphic design which consists of colorful illustrated representations of the candy inside spotting the bright red background. “Classic Chewy Candy” reads the tag line, but that doesn’t tell me what exactly SNAPS are. Turning the package over I finally find out what SNAPS are made of, literally. Ah, so it’s a black licorice with a candy coating!
So how did I enjoy my first taste of SNAPS? I didn’t. The snaps themselves come in 4 colors: white, green, pink and orange red. The sizes are not uniform at all, some are tiny and others rather long. What first surprised me was that they’re hollow. I was expecting a roll of licorice with a coating like Bassett’s Allsorts, and I was sorely mistaken. The second thing is how STRANGE they taste. I’m a black licorice lover and these didn’t taste of licorice at all, especially the pink ones which tastes like soap. Yuck.
So are there any SNAPS lovers out there? I’d love to hear your thoughts on this candy. Taking everything into consideration, it makes me wonder how this one has survived since its birth in the 1930s.
Buy SNAPS online:
- at Candy Crate
- at Amazon.com
- at Old Time Candy
- in bulk at Candy Direct
MMM, Snaps! Eat more and you’ll soon understand. I didn’t care for these chewies at first either and now, I can’t keep my fingers out of the candy bowl.
May 10th, 2007 at 6:27 pmI love these. Have ever since I was a kid. Recently found them again on Amazon after not having any for more than 15 years. I think I’m a fan of the texture more than the taste since I hate all other black licorice. I brought some in to work and most people’s first response was “eeeww”. Then they all reached for more.
May 15th, 2007 at 11:58 amSnaps are great! I just finished off a bag which I purchased on a recent trip to Santa Fe. I remember the good old days when bags of Snaps were 3/$1. They are yummy; may be retro; and, what’s so bad about eating soap?
June 8th, 2007 at 9:39 pmI love SNAPS so much! My mom used to buy them for me as a kid in the 70’s and I still feel like a kid when I eat them!I agree that the pink have a soapy taste but that is all a part of the memory! They are great!
June 18th, 2007 at 3:50 amI love Snaps. It’s been forever since I’ve seen them, but I used to eat them all of the time when I was younger. I love how they can be molded in your mouth. A fun feeling! But, if you want to taste a licorice candy that REALLY tastes like soap, try Sen-Sen.
June 28th, 2007 at 11:43 pmI love snaps! I grew up with them (60’s), my mom used to buy them for as a treat and still remember the box they came in. My sister and I would seek out the pink ones first they were the fav’s!
October 17th, 2007 at 1:54 pmLicorce snaps!!! If I could only choose one candy to eat for the rest of my life, it would be Licorice Snaps. My fave color is the tan ones. I love black licorice - Panda from Finland is a real fave. You can buy these at Walgreen’s drugstore, as that’s where I found them after American Licorice added them back to their product line after they had discontinued them. I guess there were so many of us fans that they decided to bring them back. Sorry you didn’t like them candy addict!!
October 24th, 2007 at 11:12 pmoooooh!!! I LOVE Snaps!! And always have. Especially the pink “soapy” ones. They were not available a few years ago, but I’m glad they’re back. I plan to order some from target as I can’t find any here in the south. Sorry to hear you didn’t care for them. Maybe it’s a “Boomer” thing!
November 16th, 2007 at 3:02 ami love Snaps, and i’m also a fan of the pink “soapy” ones, but i’ve been noticing an inconsistency in the flavor lately. In some of the boxes i’ve bought, the pink ones are a brighter pink color, and have none of the characteristic “soapy” flavor. am i the only one who’s noticed? i’ve actually done A/B comparisons! Apparently the company is starting to compromise the flavor for greater mass appeal. If so, they can no longer claim to be the “original” Snaps.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:43 amOK, I’m with you - I love good and plenty so I thought I would try Snaps - It left that taste in my mouth that you get the morning after being sick. Not sure what flavor they are going for. Back to the good and plenty box for me.
July 27th, 2008 at 1:11 amWhen I was a kid Snaps were 2cents a box. They were and still are my favorite candy. I’m absolutely thrilled that they’re back on the market. The first time I saw them at Target they were 1.49. They had just put them out. There were ten bags….I bought them all! Pink is my favorite. I eat all the other colors first and save the best for last. I’m sorry you didn’t like them. You’re probably just to young to appreciate the good things in life!(just kidding).
August 25th, 2008 at 12:06 am