Cloud Busters Rainbow Crunchies

Cloud Busters start as small spherical candies coated in tiny crunchy beads, and the freeze-drying process treats those two components very differently — the centre puffs and turns brittle while the beaded coating stays granular.

That gives it a mouthfeel nothing else in the range has: a fine sandy crunch on the outside, then a hollow shatter underneath, then the whole thing melting away. Three distinct sensations in a single piece.

The flavour is sweet and creamy rather than sharp — closer to a dessert than to a fruit candy. Combined with the pale pink speckled appearance, it reads as the most "confectionery" bag in the freeze-dried line.

The 4 oz bag holds 113 g — close to three times the small bag for well under three times the price, which makes it the better buy once you know you like a flavour. It is also the sharing size: poured into a bowl it fills it, and it disappears faster than anyone expects.

Store it sealed in a cool, dry place. Moisture is the one thing that undoes freeze-dried candy — an open bag left out will slowly go soft, so press the seal shut properly and it will keep its snap.

• 4oz bag of freeze-dried rainbow gummy candy
• Airy, cloud-like texture with vibrant fruity flavour
• 140 calories per serving
• Snack Kings LLC, Linden NJ