A Frank Discussion About Candy

I'm currently reading a book called 'Candy Freak' by Steve Almond, a professor and journalist somewhere on the East coast. That's not where I am, but it's a good book. Maybe I'm just biased because I, too, am a proud candy freak. I love chocolate and fruit gummies. Being diagnosed with Celiac Disease has severely limited my options as far as junk food consumption goes (alas, no more Ferrero Rocher for me), but it has also encouraged me to broaden my horizons. Basically, if it fits into my diet, then I will try it. Absolutely.

My new favorite candy is the Mallo Cup, a delightful echo of a bygone era, with it's bright yellow wrapper and blocky red lettering, blazing above a rendering of the perfect Mallo Cup. Logic would dictate that the Mallo Cup is exactly like a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but with marshmallow replacing the PB. That's not totally wrong, but the center of a Mallo Cup is so much more than just marshmallow: it's a delightfully gooey concoction of marshmallow, coconut, and vanilla creme. It doesn't have the airiness of plain marshmallow. It oozes. It's incredibly sticky, and the subtle hint of coconut flavor makes it absolutely delicious.

Mallo Cups aren't hard to find, but they're not easy to find, either. I get mine at a local fabric store, and that's the only place I know of in town that stocks them. I've looked in liquor stores and supermarkets, but the fabric store has been my oasis for creamy goodness.

All rambling aside, my point is that it's a great book, and it really makes the reader consider their candy consumption. It chronicles the daily goings-on of local candy makers all around the country, and some of the economic issues that they face as small confectioneries. It's an awesome read.