Razzles® are candies which turn into gum when they are chewed in the mouth. This candy is sometimes thought of as an old-fashioned candy, especially among people who grew up when Razzles® were popular, but it continues to be produced and enjoyed today. Many candy stores and markets carry Razzles®, and in areas where they are hard to find, they can be ordered through Internet retailers which specialize in candy sales.
The first Razzles® were introduced in 1966, and they came in only one flavor: raspberry. The candy was named for a planned Razzleberry flavor, which never took off, and over time, other flavors were introduced, including a mixed tropical pack. In all cases, Razzles® are disc-shaped pellets of candy, and they are textured to vaguely resemble raspberries.
In 1986, the Razzles® branding was acquired by Concord Confections, a newly incorporated candy company, and Concord Confections itself was added to the Tootsie Roll empire in 2004. Tootsie Roll produces two forms of Razzles®, a package of traditional flavors and the tropical assortment pack. An attempt has also been made to produce Sour Razzles®, although these did not do terribly well when they were first marketed.
When Razzles® were introduced, so was the slogan “First it's candy...then it's GUM!” This slogan endures to this day on the packaging. Many first-timers find the transition from candy to gum very intriguing and a bit disconcerting, as it feels a bit odd to put a solid candy into your mouth and have it turn into a gum.
Because Razzles® are designed to be used as a gum, they can be a good choice of candy for people who are trying to cut down on their candy intake. Like other candies, Razzles® are not exactly healthy, and they are high in sugar, but because it takes a long time to eat a single Razzle® and people can choose to spit the candy out after chewing it, people can get their candy fix without ingesting quite as much sugar.
