Candyfreak Candy

After reading Candy Freak, I was really anxious to try one candy bar in particular - the Big Hunk candy bar made by Annabelle's Candy Company. The Big Hunk plays a prominent role in the book - it's one of the first candy bars Steve Almond remembers as playing a critical role in his young adulthood, it's the most interesting sounding manufacturing process, and it seems to have a raging debate as to whether it is made up of nougat or taffy.

So imagine my surprise when I realize that they sell the self same boutique, can't-find-anywhere-Steve-Almond-looked-but -what-do-we-have-here? candy bar in my local grocery store! (Thank you QFC!) Apparently, as long as it isn't placed in the emergency check out candy counter, the shelving fees at the QFC aren't that bad.

Having salivated so heartily over the Big Hunk in the book, I was a triffle worried that it couldn't live up to expectations. Having tried it, I would say that it has. It is a bar of super sticky sweet vanilla nougat (taffy?) with a spread of roasted peanuts sprinkled throughout. Each bite is different, because the spread of peanuts through the bar (which gives it the nice sweet+ salty taste) is so haphazard. Some bites are all peanut bits - some all nougataffy. Eitehr way, if you like sweet with a touch o' salt, this is a bar good bar. It's no Fran's Gray Sea Salt Caramel, but hey - not everything can be...