I always freeze my Hi-Chews. I understand that the point of Hi-Chews for many people is the soft, chewy give of the candy. But I prefer them firm and I think the chill brings out the acidity in my favorite flavor, green apple. It seems Hi-Chew is also interested in freezing their candies, because they recently dropped Hi-Chew Pop popsicles!
Available only at San Francisco Bay Area Costcos—so specific, so exclusive—each Hi-Chew Pop box comes with two flavors: strawberry and grape. The pops, like the chews, have two layers. There’s an outer coating of fruity frozen popsicle and an inner filling of…I really have no idea what. The brand calls it a “silky confectionary filling” and that’s a great description.
Regardless of what these new Hi-Chew Pop popsicles are made of, what do they taste like? We got a sneak preview. Read on to find out if they should get a wider release or remain confined to San Fran Costcos.
Hi-Chew Pop!
Hi-Chew Pop Strawberry
Pros: The frozen strawberry-flavored coating really does taste like a Hi-Chew. It has that specific Strawberry Hi-Chew flavor that tastes nothing like fresh strawberry but is still gentle and unique. Paired with the “silky confectionery filling,” it really does taste like a frozen Hi-Chew. The filling has a slight tang to it that complements the icy strawberry coating.
Cons: I’m not totally sure how to eat these pops, but I’m pretty sure you have to bite them in order to really get the full Hi-Chew experience. And the outer layer is pretty icy. So, if you can’t handle biting an icy popsicle, you might get the shivers. Also, while I find the contrast of the cold, icy coating and the less cold “silky” filling intriguing, it’s a bit too strange for my tastes. Kudos to Hi-Chew for making something totally new, though!
Credit: Liv Averett / Hi-Chew
Rating:
7/10
Sporks
Hi-Chew Pop!
Hi-Chew Pop Grape
Pros: The icy coating on this Hi-Chew Pop doesn’t taste like fake grape. It tastes like actual concord grape—right down to the sour-bitter tang you get from the skin. It’s wild. And I really appreciate a new frozen grape dessert experience. This is totally unlike any grape popsicle I’ve ever had—and, because of my job, I’ve had a lot.
Cons: The confectionary filling clashes with the complex grape flavor. It’s not quite as seamless, flavorwise, as the strawberry pop. That said, I’ve never actually had a Grape Hi-Chew, so this could be a faithful reproduction. It’s a weird ride, that’s for sure.
Justine Sterling is the editor-in-chief of Sporked. She has been writing about food and beverages for well over a decade and is an avid at-home cook and snacker. Don’t worry, she’s not a food snob. Sure, she loves a fresh-shucked oyster. But she also will leap at whatever new product Reese’s releases and loves a Tostitos Hint of Lime, even if there is no actual lime in the ingredients.
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!
Thoughts? Questions? Complete disagreement? Leave a comment!