Monday, August 31, 2009

American candy in Brisbane


Used to be that you had to order your American candy fix from specialist shops online. But now, not so. There are a plethora of places in Brisbane now that stock classic US chocolates and candies, like Junior Mints (Seinfeld!), Hershey's (although they've been here for a while), Reese's Pieces, Butterfinger, Almond Joy , Twizzlers, Red Vines and so on.
This isn't much of a list, but here are some places that I've seen American candy for sale:
  • Blockbuster video stores
  • The corner store near the Swann Road roundabout at St Lucia

  • The candy place upstairs at Westfield Carindale, near The Body Shop

  • The Nut Shack, James St Markets

  • The Fig Tree Deli at Camp Hill

  • The Quik-E-Mart at Coorparoo
  • The Spar convenience store on Oxford St, Bulimba. They have Baby Ruths, Butterfingers and also Cherry Coke, Grape Fanta and Dr Pepper

  • Many small corner stores and so on.

So at this stage, it seems to be mostly independendents deciding whether or not to stock these imports. Once the supermarkets get on to it, that will be the end of you, Cadbury.

Personally, I have a weakness for Reese's range of peanutty goodness, and I also love me a Junior Mint. They are definitely sweeter than I prefer, but there's something about that processed, artificially-flavoured, fake-butter flakiness: that melting mouthfeel, that down-home all-American combination of innocence and bravado that appeals.

And while I'm on the topic, Oreos. Lame American TV ads ("My mom says...gulp... chocolate isn't good for dogs") and dodgy Aussie ripoffs ("Bachelors!!") aside, they really are a perfect companion to a tall frosty glass of cold milk. Every time there's an Oreo packet in the office, they last for a maximum of three minutes before the sound of contented munching breaks out.

Ready to freak out? Here's the ingredients in an Oreo:

SUGAR, ENRICHED FLOUR (WHEAT FLOUR, NIACIN, REDUCED IRON, THIAMINE, MONONITRATE {VITAMIN B1}, RIBOFLAVIN {VITAMIN B2}, FOLIC ACID), HIGH OLEIC CANOLA OIL AND/OR PALM OIL AND/OR CANOLA OIL, AND/OR SOYBEAN OIL, COCOA (PROCESSED WITH ALKALI), HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP, CORNSTARCH, LEAVENING (BAKING SODA AND/OR CALCIUM PHOSPHATE), SALT, SOY LECITHIN (EMULSIFIER), VANILLIN - AN ARTIFICIAL FLAVOR, CHOCOLATE. CONTAINS: WHEAT, SOY.

Yeah, but whatever. I'm sure it's all that alkali-processed cocoa that makes them taste awesome, right?

6 comments:

Adrasteia said...

I can't wait for these places to start stocking awesome things like cinnamon chips, butterscotch chips, peanut butter chips...

mmmm...

Unknown said...

I've noticed there are more places selling American candy now too. The Confectionery Warehouse has heaps of stuff.

Adrasteia, I was excited to try the various chips and had some brought back from the States for me last year... but sadly they're so revolting I couldn't bring myself to ruin my baking with them! I've still got a packet each of butterscotch and peanut butter chips, you're welcome to have them (I hope they're not past the use by date, but they're so artificial I doubt it would matter if they were).

Adrasteia said...

Oh no Lara! That's really disappointing to hear. They sounded so good.

Sarah @ iatebrisbane said...

Hi!
from my understanding pretty much all cocoa is alkali-processed. That's what makes it a powder. Otherwise it would be more of an oily substance. So, really - oreos are practically health food! :P

Lolly shop in ANZAC Square stocks HEAPS of American lollies, and Lolly shop at the Myer Centre (on the food court level, next to the loos)
:)

Unknown said...

I noticed lot of american candies and drinks in Nightowl Convenience store either in Grovely or Arana Hills
-Steve

Spencer said...

I get all my American Candy from http://www.moolollybar.com.au/shop. If you type 'American Chocolate' into Google these guys come up as the first organic link so that's why I buy from them.