The Violet Crumble is an Australian candy bar that sounds like it’s been named after a long-lost Roald Dahl character and only includes two major ingredients: a piece of airy honeycomb and Nestle milk chocolate. I’ve never had a honeycomb candy bar before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect beneath the shiny purple exterior; I could tell that the bar had already been broken into a hundred pieces, but the wrapper stated: “It’s the Way It Shatters That Matters,” which led me to believe that broken bits were meant to be a part of the Violet Crumble’s appeal.
Opening a Violet Crumble is a messy operation. I’d suggest you set down a paper plate or napkin to catch the candy splinters that will undoubtedly shoot from the package. I opened my Violet Crumble over a bowl and was able to catch every piece as it spilled out of the wrapper. It didn’t look like anything I’d seen before.
Many pieces of the honeycomb broke off with no chocolate coating whatsoever. I began by picking out the chocolate bits, which were lovely: the honeycomb melts into the chocolate in a perfect combination of sugary crystals and smooth chocolate waves. Unfortunately, after the chocolate bits were gone, I was left with a bowl of plain honeycomb pieces that looked like a cross between cereal bits and Styrofoam.
Curiosity won, as it usually does, and I dove into the bowl of plain Violet Crumble. The honeycomb flavor was a nice change of pace, but the consistency, which is strikingly similar to Astronaut Ice Cream, was too much for me. It’s a bit dry, and overly sweet. I managed to salvage the rest of the bar by pouring the remnants over some vanilla ice cream; turns out the Violet Crumble makes a pretty good topping. The moisture in the ice cream must offset the dryness of the honeycomb center.
Overall, the Violet Crumble wasn’t my favorite bar, but it’s so unique that I’m glad I gave it a shot.
Buy Violet Crumble online:
- at Candy Crate
- in bulk at Candy Direct
I actually just wrote my review for this yesterday, though it won’t be published for another week.
My Violet Crumble was intact, as were the ones I saw on the shelf at Economy Candy. Bad luck on your part?
I love your insight that the filling was like astronaut ice cream. What a perfect way to describe it! And I wish I’d thought to add it to ice cream.
September 6th, 2007 at 7:52 amIt was probably pretty solid when I bought it, but I suppose it could have taken a hit in the transfer from the bag to my big red candy bowl. I guess it’s meant to shatter, so if I ever have another one, I’ll be more careful next time.
And definitely add it to ice cream! Good stuff.
September 6th, 2007 at 8:31 amCrunchie is a pretty similar candy bar from Cadbury that I love. You can find them in the States with a little research.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crunchie
September 6th, 2007 at 3:02 pmMan, this sounds good. I’m gonna have to get some now!
September 6th, 2007 at 5:27 pmI’ve never had a Violet Crumble say, crumble all over me before eating, although I will admit it is one of the messier candy bars I have had. Still, I found it to be quite delicious and I wish I didn’t develop a slight addiction to them while in Australia.
September 11th, 2007 at 1:33 pmThey are similar to a Crunchie…also quite good.
Speaking of Aussie candies, have you tried Tim Tams?
As an Australian, I can say that violet crumbles are NOT meant to be in pieces! They shouldn’t have crumbs or bits shooting out at you.
Though having said that, they are good if you smash them up and stir through ice cream
September 12th, 2007 at 2:01 amOk, that’s it, I’m going to have to get another one of these!
September 12th, 2007 at 8:25 amMy review published today: http://zomgcandy.wordpress.com/2007/09/13/violet-crumble/
Photographic evidence that it’s not supposed to arrive in pieces!
September 13th, 2007 at 9:13 pmI just got one of these at World Market (they also had the Crunchie, but it cost 50¢ more). I quite liked this and would give it a 7 out of 10. It was sweet but I like sweet and so didn’t find it overpowering. The flavor of the honeycomb mixes well with the chocolate. I never would have thought to try it before reading this review, so thanks!
September 15th, 2007 at 6:25 pmI am a BIG Violet Crumble fan and have rarely had one shatter inside the wrapper as you suffered through, however, yes, they are dang tasty mixed into ice cream, yogurt, etc. I happen to love the texture of the honeycomb and I’m really big into food textures, so it makes me very happy. And, living here in Tucson, where you can buy just about any food from all over the world, they’re easy for me to indulge in, though World Market is twice as costly as the 17th Street Market, an international warehouse of food and fresh fish, but no salmon-flavored chocolate candies…yet.
October 2nd, 2007 at 2:17 amHey Julie, I am in Tucson too and I was wondering where you got the Aussie candy. My family and I want to try some but I have no idea where to begain looking. If you could please let me know!! Lookig forward to trying that Violet Crumble!!! I love honey comb!!!!
October 5th, 2007 at 5:23 pm