Warheads

Warheads Extreme Candy History

Warheads were invented in Taiwan in 1975 and were first imported to the United States in the the early 1980s. They are known for their intense sour flavor which fades after about 30 seconds. They’re marketed as “extreme” candy and the name comes from the idea that the sour taste is like a real warhead exploding in one’s mouth. The brand’s mascot, Wally Warhead, is depicted as a boy with puckered lips and a small mushroom cloud coming out of the top of his head. Today Warheads are manufactured by Impact Confections. [continued below]

Warheads History

Why are Warheads Sour? Warheads Extreme Sour Candy gets its strong sour flavor mostly from malic acid which covers the outside of the candy. After the intense flavor fades you’re left with a fairly mild candy (either raspberry, apple, black cherry, watermelon, and lemon) that contains much less acid. Surprisingly, the pH levels of Warheads are actually lower than some other popular sour candy. Which flavor Warhead is the most sour? In our opinion it’s a close call between raspberry and black cherry.

Warheads Extreme Candy Memories

When I was in kindergarten in the mid-nineties, there was a book reading program where we'd be rewarded with a small treat for every book we finished. Being a prolific reader even at that age, I immediately gamed the system by reading a bunch of thin picture books.

When I was in kindergarten in the mid-nineties, there was a book reading program where we'd be rewarded with a small treat for every book we finished. Being a prolific reader even at that age, I immediately gamed the system by reading a bunch of thin picture books.

We would go to our local skating rink and buy a bag, everyone would stick their war head in their mouth and laugh at how hour faces would change. I on the hand was scared and would stick mine under the water fountain until I was certain the sour part was gone and would stick in the sweet part.. Hoping no one noticed :) ~Meggan from Washington