Cola, aka soda, aka pop, is an under appreciated candy variety here in the States, although I don’t know why. Cola is a fun, sparkling flavor with a refreshing zing. For whatever reason, American candy manufacturers have largely ignored cola flavor in their candies, much to my dismay. The only cola candy readily available (read as, at Walgreens and European markets) is Haribo cola gummies, and those aren’t even American, but German.
Lion Cola BagPhoto Copyright © The Anime Blog
The Japanese, however, share my affection with cola candy, and how. Lion Confectionery Company is a Japanese candy manufacturer which churns out a delightful array of sweet cola offerings. To get the most bang for your buck, especially in these fun economic times, Lion has a fantastic product, Soda Kid’s Candy, which gives consumers six great cola flavors for their hard earned.
Packaging
Lion did a great job catching my eye with this loud, colorful bag. A teal background makes the other colors pop off the bag, and the shiny silver diamonds scattered through the graphics makes me think of sparkling things, like cola. Ramune Man offers me a stylized bottle of ramune, yet he looks more like he’s taunting me with it than giving it to me. Jerk.
I know exactly which flavors are nestled within the rainbow-hued foil thanks to prominent product pictures proudly presented (say that ten times fast cola- lovers!) The candies looks to be shaped in the manner of grinning, vacant-eyed chibi. Cute? Maybe. Intimidating? Slightly.
Each candy is individually wrapped, unlike Lion’s other cola candies. And thank the cola gods for that, since otherwise the candies would lump together in a mass of colorful, sticky, half melted grins.
The bold kanji and slightly threatening gang of cola mascots is meant to entice youngsters, and since it’s delighted me to no end, what precisely does that say about me? Score: A+
Lion Cola Attack! Photo Copyright © The Anime Blog
Appearance
On the bag, the candies look like marginally cute, but deformed, lil’ people, smiling vapidly, awaiting death by consumption. In reality they look more like satiny, colorful and cheerful skull and crossbones. Eat me if you dare! Score: A
Texture
The texture is at first hard, but then slowly releases frothy effervescence. The candies tingle and refresh as they dissolve at a quicker rate than other hard candies.
Score: A
Flavor
Lion is generous in their variety, giving the buyer six fun cola flavors: Grape, Apple, Lemon, Ramune (isn’t Ramune redundant if Lemon is already involved?), Cola, and Orange.
- Grape: The grape flavor is an intense, and artificial, grape, but it definitely nails the fakey grape twist of cheap grape cola- the best kind. Perfect. Score: A+
- Apple: Apple is like sparkling juice- clear, true and refreshing. It has a slightly bitter aftertaste, however, that quickly dissipates. It’s good, but could be better without the bitterness. Score: B
- Lemon: Lemon is tart and very flavorful. I imagine this is what freshly squeezed lemon juice mixed with sweetened seltzer water tastes like. Score: A+
- Ramune: Lion’s ramune (romanji for lemonade) has a strong lemon-lime kick. It tastes just like lemon-lime colas such as Sprite™, 7-Up™ and Ramune™, original. Score: A+
- Cola: Lion makes a good cola flavor. They put enough xylitol (a natural, minty sugar alcohol) to take away the heaviness actual cola can have, which leaves a fresh taste behind. The cola doesn’t nail any major name brand cola players like the Ramune flavor does, but it still embodies cola flavor. Score A
- Orange: Orange just isn’t doing it. It tastes marginally like orange, but it has a stronger aftertaste than even the apple. The flavor is weak and unpleasant and burns the back of my throat. This is the worst flavor of the lot. Way to bring the assortment pack down Orange. Score: D
Verdict
Except for that letdown, Orange, Lion’s Soda Kid’s Candy is a winner. The candies are strong and refreshing. And seeing as how six different flavors are packed within one inviting package, everyone will find a flavor they can enjoy!
You forgot about Bottlecaps! Though, those are most readily available at Halloween… and Haribo candy can also sometimes be found in the dollar store.
where did you find these? i have been looking for DAYS and cannot find them… anywhere…
I found these at a local Chinese grocery in Saint Louis last spring. You could probably find them in a dedicated Asian mart, but candies are always changing out with the season. Or, you could try online. Good luck!!
Love these! A friend showed me your website. Today I found two types of Lion Candies and another type of Soda candies at a Japanese market. They are delicious- and I mean it. I don’t usually like hard candies. Theses are amazing! I am mailing her most of the candies but keeping one bag for myself. I love the Cola and Apple. I totally agree on the orange. I can’t wait to keep looking for these and your other sweets. Yum!