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Discover the Sweet Truth: Top 9 Fascinating Fun Facts About Sour Patch Kids

illustration of sour-patch-kids
Get ready to pucker up and explore the colorful, tangy world of Sour Patch Kids with these fascinating fun facts that will leave your taste buds craving more!

1. From Mars Men to Sour Patch Kids

In a twist of cosmic candy confusion that'll leave you starry-eyed: Sour Patch Kids were originally born in the 1970s as Mars Men, created by Frank Galatolie of Jaret International, cheekily borrowing from popular space-themed candies like Mars Bars and Milky Way. It was only in 1985 that they embraced their earthly destiny and were rebranded as Sour Patch Kids, hitching a ride on the Cabbage Patch Kids craze sweeping the planet.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Gelatin-Free but Not Quite Vegan

From space-invading Martians to cabbage-inspired kiddos, these tarty munchkins sure know how to adapt: Originally called "Mars Men" in the 1970s, Sour Patch Kids got a sneaky rebrand in 1985, and despite their gelatin-free and gluten-free claims, their vegan creds are sketchy due to sugar possibly processed with bone char. Chew on that, Earthlings!
Source => worldofvegan.com

3. French "Very Bad Kids"

Before Cabbage Patch Kids sparked a toy craze and invaded households, their little sour cousins were already dabbling in planetary exploration and delighting taste buds: Originally named Mars Men in the 1970s, the now-iconic Sour Patch Kids changed identities in the 1980s, adopting their current moniker in homage to the doll frenzy. In France, these tart little tykes even go by "Very Bad Kids," a testament to their daringly zesty personality!
Source => delish.com

4. Fire and Freeze Flavors

Bring the heat, or chill out with the newest confectionery conundrum: Sour Patch Kids now come in both Fire and Freeze flavors! Conjuring visions of fire-breathing dragons and ice-cold lemonade stands, these little rebels rock your taste buds with the spicy sweetness of Berry Blaze and Tropical Flame, alongside the frosty tang of Blue Raspberry and Cherry Lime: But be warned, their feisty kick may just give your mouth a deliciously uncomfortable ride, leaving you wondering if you've ventured into the candy twilight zone.
Source => brandeating.com

Sweet and Sour Martian Invasion

5. Sweet and Sour Martian Invasion

Before extraterrestrial enthusiasts raid Area 51, let's remember the sweet and sour Martian invasion that struck the candy aisle in the 1970s: Sour Patch Kids were originally shaped like adorable aliens before they transformed into puckered-up children in the 1980s, thanks to the Cabbage Patch Kids craze!
Source => snackhistory.com

6. Watermelon Sour Patch Excluded

In a seed-spitting contest of favorite flavors, the juiciest contender might just find itself disqualified on a technicality: Watermelon Sour Patch Kids aren't actually part of the original line-up and are considered a separate variation of the candy, despite their widespread adoration. Even Maya Giaquinta, a flavor-ranking connoisseur, begrudgingly leaves these plump, tangy delights out of her list, simply because they lack the iconic "Kid-shaped" form.
Source => spoonuniversity.com

7. Not Swedish Fish Offspring

Next time you go fishing for Swedish Fish, don't blame them for bringing their noisy sour offspring along: Sour Patch Kids are not actually the offspring of Swedish Fish, but were independently created by the same parent company, Mondelez International, starting life in Canada in the late 1970s and offering over 40 years of that unique sour-then-sweet experience that has captured candy enthusiasts' hearts.
Source => wideopencountry.com

8. Sour Patch Kids Slime Squad

When life gave Sour Patch Kids a slimy situation, they simply embraced it and made it their own sweet-sour spectacle: At the 2021 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, the tangy tykes took center stage in a "Sour Patch Kids Slime Squad" act and plastered their colorful faces on the "Sour Patch Kids Fan Wall" for fans to share their zesty memories, narrowly avoiding the temptation to float around as a blimp.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

9. Lemonade Fest Edition and TikTok Challenge

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade-inspired Sour Patch Kids: Discover the tangy new Lemonade Fest edition, featuring Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade, Blue Raspberry Lemonade, and Cherry Lime Lemonade flavors, alongside the brand's TikTok challenge, #SPKMakesLemonade, with sour summer stories and chances to win sweet prizes, including a summer getaway!
Source => prnewswire.com

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