Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Intense Flavour |
| Disadvantages: |
Limited flavours, never sure which ones you'll get |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Okay, so maybe that is fantasising a bit. I actually have a pack of Starburst – still, fully of juice and very tasty for both girls and boys, no matter what you may ask. My challenge to me is to write less than 1,000 words so that you aren’t left as bored stiff as my juicy stick. Okay, so maybe my magical juicy rod is actually a packet of Starburst, but we can all dream.
FIRST GLANCE
The stick measures 13x2x2cm and is mostly yellow. It says STARBURST on the front (yes, some people do have odd ideas in this world) and the word is in red. On each end there are pictures of fruits whose flavour
sweets are found concealed within the paper wrapping. There is a red strawberry and several others, like blackcurrants and lime slices.
The tube is a weirdish cube – a cuboid, I believe. It has four long sides, and two short ones at either end, unlike my brother, who has two massive sides at either end and four shorter sides as a result of his rather excessive weight. Okay, maybe a minor exaggeration, but not much of one. I’d better stick to the point to keep all of you members happy :)
One side of the pack helps us learn that the Mars UK offices are in Slough and also helps us learn that these Starburst, or Opal Fruits as they were once called, will last up until the 24th of May next year. Thank goodness for that.
WHAT THEY ARE
I have assumed that you all know what Starburst are, but that’s stupid. They are rather similar to Chewits, although much nicer :) Basically, they are chewy sweets – slightly gummy when moistened in your mouth with lots of gooey spit (nice) but rock solid when in the packet – they also happen to be very nice. By the way, they taste of fruit, as I have said already.
FEELING
Yes, my much-famous (I wish) description of the Yorkie was enjoyed by many (there I go wishing again…) so I thought I’d have another crack at it this time with a pack of Starburst. This is ROCK SOLID. So just to summarise, I have a rock solid juicy stick in my trousers. The 45g packet has a paper wrapping tightly over the individually-wrapped gems and the package helps keep these beauties in place. This conjures an image of strength and excellence in my head.
STRENGTH TEST
Now I’ve said Grace, I’m ready to throw the pack against the wall :o) It holds together well although develops a hairline crack down the middle. Can withstand a rough pocket journey any day. You could use this pack of Starburst as some form of weapon. Perhaps as an eye-poker, although we wont start remembering last weeks. No, nothing was mentioned about homosexuality here ;o)
STUFF INSIDE
I’m sure members such as Cheekychicken and SusanLesley will be very pleased to learn about the high fat content of these before they ‘nip off the shops to go and get some’ :o)
(lots and lots and lots of) Glucose Syrup, Sugar, Hydrogenated Veggie Fat, Fruit Juices (a mere 5.7%), Citric Acid, Modified Starch, Dextrin, Maltodextrin, Flavourings, Colours (e122, e132, e160a)
So you can imagine that these are perfect for those of you who are trying to slim at the moment.
NUTRITION INFORMATION
There’s no information here about nutrition but I’m sure you can gather from the ingredient list that there’s plenty of nasty content to help you fit in to that slightly large dress ;o) The 45g pack probably, as an estimate, contains around 25g of fat per 100g. Lots of reassuring information there – perhaps you should replace that corset with a slightly larger one…
IN YOUR GOB
I have before me the four different types of Starburst, each in their different packages. They each measure 2x2x1cm, and each flavour has its own different colour wrapping, as follows:
Orange: Orange
Strawberry: Red
Lemon & Lime: Green
Blackcurrant: Purple
I am disappointed with the selection – I feel a few more could be added – pineapple, mango, banana, apple… Chewits, the closest competitor to Starburst, sell each flavour in separate packages, so you can pick up your favourites. However, Chewits are only available in Blackcurrant, Strawberry and Orange flavours – no lemon & lime.
SHOVE IT WHERE THE SUN DON’T SHINE
Yes, same subheading as last time, I know. Still, I am trying to follow a common structure here.
I’ve unwrapped them all – they are all the same colour as their wrappers. They are all quite solid. You could throw them around without fear of them breaking. You just have to be careful to make sure they don’t get too hot and therefore melt.
Orange:
The orange taste is very authentic. As soon as you pop the thing in, you feel the intense orange taste. It is quite strong, somewhat too strong for me although others may enjoy it.
Blackcurrant:
You notice a strong taste of blackcurrant – that of Ribena which has not had water added. It is pleasant and chewy – although I could happily munch away on a few of these.
Strawberry:
Strawberry doesn’t actually taste of strawberry at first. The first thing you notice is an intense flavour of vanilla spreading through your mouth which is slowly exchanged for something similar to that of the blackcurrant one – perhaps we’ve discovered a cost-cutting secret? Nice though :o)
Lime:
These are very strong. My least favourite of the selection but still okay. They are very intense and taste strongly of the lime part. Very refreshing and taste great when followed by a well-chilled glass of water.
QUALITY PROMISE
If you have whinges to be heard, send them a rude e-mail. Or find out more on the website at www.mars.com, or perhaps you just want to send in your kind words…
SUMMARY
These are quite nice although the limited selection is disappointing. It’s a shame that there aren’t more flavours available and also that you can’t get packs with just your favourite in. Also, the flavours are pretty strong. Average product, although they are intense and refreshing, especially in the hot summer times such as those which we face at the moment.
Thanks for reading, feedback appreciated.
*Sadly, I failed my challenge. The opinion totals 1,047 words…*
