If I remember correctly, Steve Almond wrote about tracking down the Idaho Spud in Candy Freak and watches them as they are made. He then eats one and hates it. You’d think that would have been enough to stop me from paying way too much for one at an overpriced candy boutique that charges a ridiculous sum for retro candy, wouldn’t you? If you did, you probably haven’t been reading this blog for too long, as I seem to be overly willing to waste perfectly good money on candy that I know will turn out to be perfectly unappetizing.
The Idaho Spud is made by the Idaho Candy Company. They have a link to the Idaho Spud Fan Club on the site; I find it difficult to believe that people actually like this stuff, but I suppose someone is buying them and keeping them in business. I think quite a bit of their business must come from people succumbing to Candy Nostalgia Syndrome, in which they associate terrible-tasting candies of their youth with the joyousness of youth and therefore actually want to eat said terrible-tasting candies. The Idaho Spud has been around since 1918, so it’s high in the nostalgia factor. According to the website, “the popular Idaho Spud Bar is a wonderful combination of a light cocoa flavored marshmallow center drenched with a dark chocolate coating and then sprinkled with coconut (Sorry, no potato!). The potato shape and unique blend of ingredients appeals to both young and old, making the ‘Idaho Spud’ one of the top hundred selling candy bars in the Northwest.”
Don’t you love that “top hundred selling candy bars in the Northwest” bit? Not exactly a jaw-dropping statistic there. Basically, the Idaho Spud is this weird sugar/coconut goop with a chocolate coating, which is then covered in bits of coconut. The inside goop is strange in texture and flavor. It’s sort of foamy, like a marshmallow, but also dense and gooey, making it unlike any marshmallow I’d want to eat. The whole things tastes like bad chocolate and waxy, fake coconut and has the most unappetizing mouthfeel. I’m not a big fan of coconut, but I can tolerate and even enjoy it when it tastes fresh. The Idaho Spud definitely did not taste fresh.
Points off for texture, points off for flavor, and points off for appearance (I’m not even going to go there), leaving the Idaho Spud with a —. Sometimes a confection can be so bad that you just have to try it to believe it. Trust me, it’s bad, and you’re better off having never tried this.
I tracked down lots of the candies in that book, and this was THE WORST! I don’t know why people keep demanding these things.
Great post!
Maybe it’s my stubborn nature, but I still want to try one. I’ve never heard a single good thing about them, so I’m fully prepared to hate them.
Foamy marshmallow? That description alone was enough for me to take your word on how awful the Spud is.
Ha, ha – love the reviews and your pics are awesome! I too still want to try the Spud – it is a sickness. Is it more heinous than the Circus Peanut?
haha, I think there’s probably still one in my toy box from a halloween 15 years ago when I used to obsessively hoard candy and never eat them.
still never had one!
My father is from Idaho and he likes the Spud. I spent 3 years in that state and wasn’t crazy about it or the candy. I think you have to be Idaho born and bred to like Idaho Spuds.
Funny, I’m a weirdo the because I liked it (and I’m not from Idaho). 😉 But my taste isn’t exactly refined. I will admit though, it took a few bites to really get used to the texture and flavor but then I really decided it was quite good.
I was given a box of these as a gift from a friend that is originally from Idaho. They are definitely the strangest candy I’ve ever had, but not that bad! Once you eat one, you want another one! Not for kids though. Definitely a grown up candy!
These are the one of my favorite candys! You have to freeze them. They won’t freeze to a hardened state so they’re still easy to eat. I LOVE them.
Oh and I’m from Hawaii, not Idaho.
These are one of those things that you either love or hate. I absolutely love them! One reason is because there is nothing else like them. The texture of the mallow center is my favorite thing. I don’t like most other marshmallow candy, but these are delicious!
Looks delicious, we would like to integrate it in our gift baskets for Rosh Hashanah. Thanks
i usually give fruit gift baskets whenever there are special ocassions.”::
Overall flavor impression is almost mocha, coconut texture is irritating. Doesn’t seem so sweet until you throat begins burning. Mine seemed a bit stale because one long side of the filling had shrunk away from the couverture. Filling texture is odd – about mid-point between a handmade marshmallow and a soft foam flip flop, but slippery. Really wanted to love it , but can’t bring myself to eat the second half. OK as a novelty, nothing more.