4 Editors Put Taylor Swift's Favorite Candy to the Test
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The internet loves to joke about social media algorithms knowing you better than you know yourself. But honestly, I think there's some truth to it. Mine has introduced me to fashion brands I now swear by and makeup products I can't live without — both drugstore favorites and luxury splurges — so when TikTok kept serving me videos hyping up Taylor Swift's favorite candy, Smarties Squashies ($19), I took it as a sign. Naturally, they went straight into my cart for me and my colleagues to put to the test. A little backstory on Swift's Squashies obsession: During a 2019 interview on the "Today" show with Hoda Kotb, she revealed that Dame Judi Dench gifted her multiple bags of the candy while they were filming "Cats."
"I was just talking near her about this kind of candy that they have in the UK called Squashies," Swift said during the interview. "And I was like, 'This is legit candy. OK? Let me talk about it. It's gummy. It tastes like a combination of strawberries and raspberries.' It was really late. I was ranting about the candy for a while. And the next day, in my dressing room, I walked into the trailer and there were, like, 10 packets of this candy with a signed headshot from Judi."
Since then, Squashies have developed quite the cult following, partially thanks to Swift's endorsement, but also because they check a lot of boxes: they're also fat-free, gluten-free, and peanut-free. Keep reading for photos, our honest thoughts on the candy's flavor, and PS editor reviews that indicate whether we love them as much as Swift does.
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"Good but Also Unusual"
Smarties Squashies ($19)
"I used to eat Smarties a lot as a kid, but as an adult, I'm more of a gummy person — and that love affair has only grown since the internet put me on to Swedish candy a few years ago. When I learned about Squashies, I was excited to give them a try, but I really didn't know what to expect. The candy has a fruity, taffy-like taste similar to the original, except it comes in the form of a pillowy marshmallow. The flavoring is raspberry and cream, and the rectangular-shaped gummies are ultra chewy with a foamy consistency. They're good but also unusual, unlike any gummy I've tried before. It's worth noting, however, that I don't usually gravitate towards marshmallow candies, and someone who does may find them more their speed." — Jessica Harrington, senior editor, Beauty
Rating:
★★★★☆
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"Leaves You Wanting More"
Smarties Squashies ($19)
"I am very much so an all-around candy person — I don't favor chocolate over fruity, chewy treats, for example — but I was a bit apprehensive about Squashies just because, historically, Smarties have never been my go-to. But as soon as I bit into the marshmallow-like nugget, any subtle connection my brain was making to the original Smarties quickly vanished. These have a decisively raspberry and cream taste to them that isn't overpowering and leaves you wanting more. In other words, they're the type of candy I'd easily enjoy over and over again (similar to how I am with Sour Patch Kids — I always end up eating the whole bag). While the repetition of flavor could potentially get boring after a while, I have to say I was delightfully surprised by these little two-tone rectangles, and I'd definitely pick them up in the store again if they caught my eye." — Sarah Wasilak, associate content director, Shopping
Rating:
★★★★☆
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"Pleasantly Surprised"
Smarties Squashies ($19)
"I was pleasantly surprised by the Smarties Squashies raspberry and cream candy. The best way to describe the texture is as a taffy-marshmallow hybrid. I don't have much of a sweet tooth — I'm a savory girl — so I love that these aren't overly sweet. I even had a bunch back-to-back to test this theory! I also love that I can recommend them to my gluten-free friends." — Shari Straker, social content producer
Rating:
★★★★☆
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"Worth Trying at Least Once"
Smarties Squashies ($19)
"TikTok made it impossible for me not to get my hands on these candies, feeding me an endless stream of videos from reviewers raving about them and calling them the best thing since sliced bread. In the days leading up to their arrival on my doorstep, I couldn't help but imagine what they would taste like, assuming they'd be similar to the Smarties I grew up with. But they're completely different. Their texture is the star of the show with a subtle raspberry flavor and a pillow-like, non-sticky consistency. Do I think TikTok hyped them up a little too much? Absolutely. But that didn't stop me from finishing both bags in a matter of days, and I still think they're worth trying at least once." — Marisa Petrarca, contributing editor, Shopping
Rating:
★★★★☆
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Marisa Petrarca (she/her) is a contributing editor for PS Shopping and has over seven years of experience writing and editing beauty, fashion, and lifestyle content. She was previously the senior beauty editor at Grazia USA and the style and beauty editor at Us Weekly. Now freelancing, her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan, Allure, Marie Claire, and more.