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If you’re into extreme food challenges, then
Here’s an intimidating yet delightful treat making waves across social platforms.
The ‘Black Death’ candies are extremely sour jet-black spheres produced by the English sweet maker Mr Simms.
Mr. Simms refers to the Black Death as “the world’s sourest sweet,” surpassing even iconic sour candies like Sour Patch Kids, Toxic Waste, and Warheads Sour Cubes.
The small lemon-flavored round candies can be found on their website priced at £4.50 for 200 grams, £10.99 for 500 grams, and £21.79 for 1 kilogram.
Given their supposed strength, these are not advised for individuals younger than 12 years old.
Social media influencer
@underratedhijabi has already sampled the confectionery.
, likening it to ‘metallic pavement at the rear of my throat’.
In a widely shared clip, she dramatically experiences a fit of convulsions moments after putting it in her mouth and urgently spits it out.
Undeterred, MailOnline’s Assistant Science Editor, Jonathan Chadwick, managed to get his hands on a pack—though even a single ball proved to be more than sufficient.
I have always been fond of ultra-sour candies, starting with favorites like Jelly Bellies Sour Beans, Dweebs, Haribo Tangfastics, and Swizzels Refreshers from my childhood days.
But I’m feeling somewhat anxious about the Black Death,
which has already resulted in a 10-year-old girl being hospitalized
once it scorched her throat.
The Black Death candies can only be found at Mr Simms’ ‘Olde Sweet Shoppe,’ which is famous for its vintage-look wooden panel interiors spread throughout England.
Once I receive my sample, I see that the package states the Black Death sweets are ‘not recommended for children under 12 years old.’
‘WARNING: Consuming too much in a short period might lead to temporary discomfort in the mouth and/or stomach,’ it states.
It immediately brings back memories of 77X42, the tiny lemon candy from an episode of ‘The Simpsons,’ which is so tart that it has to be enclosed in a magnetic field.
The components of Black Death include sugar, glucose syrup, and malic acid — the substance that gives a tangy taste to foods like rhubarb.
Additionally, citric acid is typically deemed safe when used as a food additive, yet it is also employed as a descaling agent in various home cleaning products.
Additionally, it contains black iron oxide, which might sound alarming but is actually an approved and frequently utilized color additive in the food sector.
It lends the treats a deep black look, akin to tiny pieces of charcoal (were it not for the thick coating of coarse neon crystals adorning them).
Unlike
the emotionally charged social media influencer
I’m not allowed to reject Black Death once I’ve put it in my mouth (after all, it’s a tasting challenge!).
During the initial two seconds, it doesn’t appear particularly tart, but then the sudden zesty impact becomes noticeable.
The sole comparison I can make is like biting into a whole pink grapefruit, including the skin — definitely not very enjoyable.
I experience all the physical signs, such as grimacing and a wrinkled mouth — though perhaps not as dramatically as Homer Simpson does.
This is undoubtedly the most sour candy I have ever tasted, yet I find myself not really wanting to discard it.
This somehow contradicts the human body’s natural aversion to sour flavors, which are identified by specific receptor cells within taste buds.
Fortunately, the intensely tart flavor doesn’t persist throughout the whole duration of sucking the small black ball.
Once around 20-30 seconds have passed, just when you feel like you’ve had enough, it abruptly changes from being extremely sour to delightfully fruity and sweet.
The crunchy white outer crystals appear to be responsible for providing the sweetness with an astringent quality – however, after you dissolve them by sucking, the challenge is essentially complete.
When you reach the center, you’ll experience an additional tangy kick—though it doesn’t come close to matching the intensity of your first bite.
Frankly, after watching @underratedhijabi’s performance, I must admit I’m somewhat let down that Black Death sweets aren’t much stronger.
I suppose the logical progression after Black Death would be candy that includes undigestible acids so caustic they might cause severe injury.
Unless we delve into the imaginative worlds of Willy Wonka or The Simpsons, Black Death is likely as intense as we’ll encounter.
Nonetheless, I wouldn’t suggest consuming multiple ones at once, or leaving them unattended where an innocent child might come across them.
Scientists warn that too much exposure to acid can cause burns on the sensitive skin of your tongue and inner cheeks, so handle it carefully.
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