In college, many students develop some sort of vice to help get them through the strenuous, work filled hours of academia.  For some it’s coffee, and others hop on a “Pancheros” kick, for me, my vice is, and has always been, Sour Patch.  I have constantly been playfully mocked for my affection toward this simple, tart treat and I never understand why.  Not only does sour patch contain the inevitable sugar high that all candy has, but sour patch’s tantalizing sour burst in your mouth does wonders for alertness with studies.  It’s also a compact, hassle free indulgence that can be easily brought into class, libraries, and even snuck into computer labs.  

Now few can truly claim to be a sour patch connoisseur, but I truly am one.  Here are a few things I bet you didn’t know...

about sour patch.  There are nine varieties of sour patch products: sour patch kids, fruits, xmas kids, peaches, blue rasberries, watermelons, cherries, extremes, and xploders.   Sour patch kids—the original product— were originally called “Mars Men” based upon the supposed UFO sightings, but were changed to “Sour Patch Kids” in 1985.  The name stuck and in 2002 the candy boomed, fostering further products to be created in a similar model.  Many people have only tried sour patch kids, which are amazing, but I strongly urge people to try the sour patch fruits as they have a unique taste variation on the classic favorite.  It is a literal party in your mouth.  

Availability for this sweet is easy.  Most, if not all, of these flavors are available at any convenient store on campus for under 2$, however my favorite place to purchase is in the union.  In the basement at the cozy, corner U GOs store, there is a “bulk” candy Mecca.  Now, a bulk candy station is a beacon for any candy lover, but this one is especially wonderful because it has four sour patch products.  The other nice thing about buying from the bulk station is that usually it is a more economical option to the already inexpensive candy.  One can combine any combination of candies for a more reasonable price then the prepackaged bag.   Finally while sour patch are filled with sugar, they have a relatively low caloric count and are fat free, which means there is little to no guilt attached to the consumption of the snack. So while many gravitate to caffeine or fried food, I urge you to explore the highly underrated world of sour candy.  The sweet tartness will produce a smile on anyone’s face—inherently because of the pucker they will force you to produce.  As the popular marketing phrase goes:  Sour. Sweet. Gone; a motto I live by and if you try them, you will too.