Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Candy Minus the Junk

Candy that doesn't have huge amounts of crap in it?
Sounds crazy, right?
Enter UNREAL...

The Company's Stand
An innovative company based in Boston, UNREAL™ is revolutionizing America's classic candies by creating products that not only taste great but have less sugar, no artificial flavors, corn syrup, synthetic colors or GMO's. UNREAL™ candies also feature more protein and fiber than the leading brands, and all ingredients are sustainably sourced. While UNREAL™ is presently focusing on the chocolate candy segment, the company ultimately wants to expand into other food & beverage categories. UNREAL™ is the brainchild of Nicky Bronner, a 13-year old kid who was determined to prove he could unjunk candy, and Adam Melonas, an innovative chef from Spain. UNREAL™ currently has five chocolate candies that are available in 20,000 stores nationwide, including Target, CVS, Staples and Michael’s. UNREAL™ has become a magnet for creative professionals who want to join the company’s mission to “unjunk the world” and change the way consumers think about food.

Our Testing
Products provided to us, but some tasters unaware of this.
Round 1: Labels
Working with a Health/Nutrition/Fitness teacher, we checked the Nutritional Information against the standard candies. After doing some math (very complicated for before noon), we found that the Unreal, for the same amount of candy, did not always have less calories; but were lower in Fat (especially Saturated Fat) and Sugar; add less weird chemicals; and higher amounts of Vitamins, Minerals, Fiber...
Winner: Unreal

Round 2: Taste
1. UN 54 vs. Peanut M&Ms
Tester noted "weird" aftertaste, but higher quality of peanuts in Unreal.
Winner: Tie

2. UN51 vs. Plain M&Ms
Two testers mentioned "weird" aftertaste with Unreal, but both kept eating them. Testers came back for more.
Winner: UN51

3. UN5 vs. Milky Way
Milky Way sweeter, almost to point of sickeningly sweet. Unreal tasted more, well, real.
Winner: UN5

4. UN8 vs. Snickers
UN8 has real peanuts! Nougat tastes better, less cloying.
Winner: UN8

5. UN77 vs. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
UN77 tastes like fancy peanut butter, good chocolate; Reese's has better mix of Peanut Butter & Chocolate, smoother.
Winner: Reese's

Overall: UNREAL is the big winner!
Taste for yourself (available at Target, CVS...) & let us know what you think.

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