If I invented gummy bears, I’d probably just coast on that achievement for the rest of my life. Thankfully, the magicians over at Haribo weren’t content with bringing the world gummy bears and continue to develop new and tasty ways to deliver gummy candy.
Gummy fans in the United States will get to chow down on one of these formats when Haribo Balla Bites and Haribo Balla Bites Sour hit stores in September. Haribo calls Balla Bites a “multi-texture, multi-flavor experience,” promising three different flavors wrapped together in a single gummy candy.
Snackology got an early taste of both styles of Balla Bites ahead of their fall release ...
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The non-sour version of Haribo Balla Bites felt like the correct place to start my tasting journey. I think scientifically, this would be our control group. Balla Bites come in four flavor combos: Orange, Blackberry and Lemon; Lemon, Orange and Forest Fruits; Strawberry, Orange and Forest Fruits; and Apple, Lemon and Blackberry.
Haribo Balla Bites. / Snackology
The texture of Balla Bites is much firmer than what you’d expect from a standard Haribo Goldbear. There’s a super satisfying bite to each one. I obviously ate each flavor one at a time for this review, but I could easily devour these by the handful.
Haribo Goldbear Sours have recently become my go-to gummy candy. They deliver the classic texture and tastes of the company’s gummy bears with just the right level of sour coating. I’ve housed entire bags of them in a single drive around town.
Haribo Balla Bites Sour. / Snackology
Haribo Balla Bites Sour replicate that feat, elevating the basic Balla Bites. A lot of non-gimmicky sour candy does battle with you as you eat more and more of it. If you’ve ever felt like the interior of your cheek has been melted away after eating a bag of Sour Skittles, you know what I’m talking about.
Like with Goldbears Sour, Balla Bites Sour doesn’t come with that cost. You could eat the entire bag and never feel like you’ve gone through something. The sour version of Balla Bites seems to stick together even more than the regular variety, making it easier to pick up a cluster of four or five at once.
Comparison of Haribo Balla Bites and Haribo Balla Bites Sour. / Snackology
Balla Bites Sour come in the same four flavor combos as Balla Bites. It’s only the addition of the sour coating that separates the two varieties.
The Omnicosm founder. Snackology, Popculturology and The Cold Open writer. A Rochester, N.Y., native now living in the Washington, D.C., area. Won’t pass up a Genny Cream Ale.
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