As I write this, my tongue is trying to nimbly disengage a wad of toffee from one of my back molars. It's a big lump of firm candy that rocks my teeth to their very foundation when I try to chew it. So far my teeth, strengthened by my somewhat attentive cleaning and pretty regular trips to the dentist, are winning and the mass is dissolving and I am happy and content. I know that one day in my future though, a toffee will probably be the downfall of my gnashers. I'll sheepishly arrive at my dentist (still looking quite trim and alluring for 96), with a lump of gooey candy bejeweled with a tooth or two.
And while this is a good toffee, there is another candy that I can't quite forget. The candy that I discovered on that fateful day, yesterday, as J and I pretended to be yuppies in the West End. Byres Road now has a sweets shop called (don't gag) I Heart Candy. And while the overall decor is a little sickly twee (yes, even for a candy store), they do have a very decent selection of many strange British sweeties. I wasn't going to succumb because I am still actively trying to ween myself off of wine gums, but on a low shelf, almost hidden away, J discovered Lion's whole range of gummy candies. Midget Gems, Sports Mixture, the licorice and anise ones and these: Butterscotch Gums. How could one's interest not be piqued?
These are complex little nuggets. They have a stubborn gummy texture that does not dissolve with a couple of bites unlike other inferior gummy candy. And the first few chews yield a lovely and rich butterscotch flavour; buttery and smooth. But there is a distinct lemon note as well that cuts through the sweetness. The end result tastes just like something I've had once but that's only remembered by my taste buds. Like a lemon meringue pie with butterscotch sauce or a caramelized tarte au citron. Actually, having just tried another one to try and arrive at a precise description, it tastes like lemon and butterscotch Jello Pudding had a delicious little gummy candy baby. But not too sweet. And not at all milky. Very, very curious. And all of that intrigue means that it's impossible to eat just one. Impossible. Your tongue and your brain will be just too, too curious.
It is great! I think we will use this information!
Posted by: terracotta warriors | April 19, 2011 at 03:02 AM
does that mean the lemon and butterscotch pudding got it on? gross. but i really like the sound of this. i am so into butterscotch AND lemon these days.
Posted by: Daccia | March 05, 2008 at 04:14 PM