Candy Girls: Crackheads

Liz Kellermeyer

We must be looking a little tired around the office, because a co-worker recently bestowed this candy upon us. Hey, we don't look gift horses in the mouth, we just put them in our mouths. The gifts, that is. The candy.  Maybe we need a couple more of these...

The Milwaukee-based Osmanium released its first chocolate-covered espresso bean candy, Crackheads, in 2006. The website offers a long-winded rationale for the name ("It was always a comedic term meaning someone was acting goofy, crazy, and/or odd"), which comes off as a somewhat weak defense for using a derogatory term usually reserved for crack addicts. The copy on the packaging pokes fun at this, with the slogan, "We're all addicted to something."  For some, it's life-debilitating illegal drugs, but for others, it's coffee.  Ha ha!  So true.

Taste-wise, the little beans are pretty good. The chocolates are made with cocoa butter, cream and vanilla, which gives the coating a nice flavor on its own. Combined with the bitter bite of the enrobed espresso bean, the sweet chocolate contrasts beautifully.  The white chocolate was an unexpected favorite; where it can be over-sweet in some treats, here it mixes perfectly with the dark coffee. Our only complaint is that remnants of the chewed-up espresso bean are the last thing left in your mouth, giving you the occasional feeling of sucking on coffee grounds.

The product claims to contain 200 mg of caffeine per 1.4 ounce box, making it the equivalent of about two cups of joe.  Not bad for a boost in the afternoon or any time you're on the go and it would be impractical to chug some liquid caffeine.

And if you just can't get past the name, Osmanium has you covered. Shortly after Crackheads was released, Jitterbeans hit the market. The product is identical to the original Crackheads except for the name, the lack of slogan, and one notable addition: three times the caffeine. Hey, when the masses need their caffeine...

Would we finish the box?  Yes

Would we purchase again?  I believe we would.

Rating: 4 out of 5