Candy Review: Haribo Saft Goldbaeren

Friday, June 12, 2009 - by Gigi

Let’s give a big Candy Addict welcome to Gigi, our first Europe-based writer!

As a Candy Addict, when vying for a sugar fix, gummi bears are fairly low on my list of “candy craving” sweets. On the other hand, if I was asked to buy candy for a large group of people, gummi bears are perfect and probably the safest option, catering to all sugar palates. Gummi bears are tasty, chewy, and a widely popular gummi treat. You know what you’re going to get before you pop one in your mouth.

Recently, while shopping at a market in Munich, Germany, I noticed an interesting spin on the forever palatable gummi bear” Haribo’s Saft Goldbaeren. Naturally, I gave them a whirl. Translated in English, Juice Goldbears are a unique, surprisingly tasty twist on the traditional gummi bear. Claiming 22% fruit juice, Haribo has not only mastered the gummi texture – these bears are soft! – they have made this treat potentially healthy… Seriously?

Haribo, a German candy company founded in 1920 by Hans Riegel Sr., is the largest manufacturer of gummi candy in the world, with its products largely consisting of gummi candies and licorice. 

The bears are larger than traditional gummi bears, making the overall mouth-to-bear ratio enjoyable. Not too small, not too big – just the right size to eat one at a time. (If you’re like me, this is important. If the candy is on the small side, I’ll pop several in my mouth at once creating candy flavor suicide. Not the case here, the bears can be eaten one savory flavor at a time.)

The flavors are refreshing, Himbeer (Raspberry), Apfel (Apple), Limette (Lime), Schwarze Johannisbeere (Blackberry), Birne (Pear), and Pfirsich (Peach). My personal favorite is Blackberry; it has an interesting berry flavor quality – a bit of a kick compared to standard berry flavoring. All Saft Goldbaeren flavors are tasty – uniquely sweet, a little bit tart and overall refreshing; leaving you reaching for more. (I’ve eaten an entire bag while writing this review!)

Compared to the traditional gummi bear, Haribo’s Saft Goldbaeren stand out in a candy crowd. The texture, the flavors, the size, etc. all contribute to making this sweet treat a definite candy “must have.” And, as mentioned before, these candies provide a bit of nourishment: 22% fruit juice in every bag – you can’t go wrong. An unusually nice benefit for us sugar fiends. Thumbs up.

Also of note: Except for the word ‘SAFT’ at the bottom of the bag, the packaging for Saft Goldbaeren and Haribo’s traditional Goldbaeren is the same. Be discerning, or you might miss out on these tasty treats!

• Haribo Website
• Haribo Saft Goldbaeren Promo Site (in German)