These cute little drops of rainbow are soft in texture and intense in flavour, each with a thin crisp sugar coating. I tried the original box which consists of 4 flavours: lemon, red grape, apple and muscat; other products with more flavours are available. Boasting its 0% fat and 2100mg of collagen, these jelly beans certainly abide by Meiji's corporate philosophy: "to help people lead happier and more fulfilling lives by emphasising the taste experience and zest in life".
Intrigued by its tastiness, I compared it to a few renown jelly bean manufacturers in the confectionery industry.
Jelly Belly
Invented in 1976, consisting of 50 standard flavours and 7 different types, including Sport Beans (energising and containing caffeine) and Beanaturals (a free-from range). Although totally spoilt for choice on flavours, the gummy inside is harder in comparison to Poifull.
Jelly Bean Factory
"There's never been a better bean" - unlikely methinks; its 36 flavours are too strong and badly imitated versions of Jelly Belly flavours. The beans are hard to chew and knowing there is 31g of sugars in a 40g serving takes away any remaining appeal.
Haribo Jelly Beans
These come in 10 simple flavours and are twice the size of all the beans I have previously mentioned; with just 17.1g of sugars in a 40g serving and no artificial colours, they are as child-friendly as you can get. Much to my disappointment, these beans are the hardest beans I have ever chewed on in my life.
To sum up on a positive note, Jelly Belly, Jelly Bean Factory and Haribo Jelly Beans are all gluten and gelatin free - making them suitable for vegetarians; the gelatin and collagen is clearly the reason why Poifull beans have such an additive texture.
Jelly Belly
Invented in 1976, consisting of 50 standard flavours and 7 different types, including Sport Beans (energising and containing caffeine) and Beanaturals (a free-from range). Although totally spoilt for choice on flavours, the gummy inside is harder in comparison to Poifull.
Jelly Bean Factory
"There's never been a better bean" - unlikely methinks; its 36 flavours are too strong and badly imitated versions of Jelly Belly flavours. The beans are hard to chew and knowing there is 31g of sugars in a 40g serving takes away any remaining appeal.
Haribo Jelly Beans
These come in 10 simple flavours and are twice the size of all the beans I have previously mentioned; with just 17.1g of sugars in a 40g serving and no artificial colours, they are as child-friendly as you can get. Much to my disappointment, these beans are the hardest beans I have ever chewed on in my life.
To sum up on a positive note, Jelly Belly, Jelly Bean Factory and Haribo Jelly Beans are all gluten and gelatin free - making them suitable for vegetarians; the gelatin and collagen is clearly the reason why Poifull beans have such an additive texture.
Poifull beans can be purchased from http://www.napajapan.com/Products.asp?searchText=poifull at around £1.67 per pack (delivery prices starts at £2.80).
