Konbini Kinyoubi: Tough Gummy, the Hardest Gummies Around

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As you probably already know, I’m a big, tough man, and I need a big, tough gummy. Japan has a lot of gummies, many of which are rather small and soft like what we’d call “fruit snacks” in America. They also have stuff like Haribo bears that are available worldwide. But none of those are strong enough for a tough guy like me. That’s why I had to try the strongest gummy out there: Tough Gummy.

Tough Gummy, according to its packaging, is the top-selling gummy in all of Japan. I don’t know if that’s true, but I wanted to see for myself just how tough these gummies really are. Were we up to the challenge of the most hardened, world-weary gummies on the market? You’re about to find out.

Tough Gummy: Variety Pack

We got two different kinds of Tough Gummy: a standard variety pack with three flavors that’s available most everywhere, and a special edition Energy Zone flavor that’s meant to taste like energy drink. I assumed the variety pack would be fruit flavored, because that’s what I remembered this being from the last time I’d tried it. I was wrong.

The flavors were cola, energy drink, and soda. They all tasted pretty much the same. Sour on the outside, sweet on the inside, vague cola-ish taste but not really. As far as toughness, the exterior wasn’t so hard - in fact, at the corners, it was quite soft. But oh, my, was it dense. When you got in the middle, that’s when it became a challenge. If you have a loose tooth, you won’t have it for long eating these things. They take some work to get broken up. However, I found that they generally didn’t leave bits in between my teeth, which was nice. If the flavors had been different, I would have really enjoyed them.

Tough Gummy: Energy Zone

The Energy Zone kind were all one flavor, which tasted a lot like Red Bull or Monster Energy. In terms of sourness and toughness, they were about the same as the others. In terms of flavor, they tasted more like the thing they’re meant to taste like, which could be either a good or a bad thing depending on your perspective. Do you enjoy the taste of Red Bull, or are you just drinking it to get a cheap buzz before going out for a night at bars because liquor alone doesn’t do it for you anymore? Don’t answer that question unless you’re ready to pay some serious co-pays at therapy.

I tried these several times over the next couple days, and not only do they taste like Red Bull, but they present the same problems as well: I don’t like it, yet I can’t stop myself from trying it again and again. I’m genuinely sad now that the bag is empty. I don’t think I’ll ever try these again, but I’ll absolutely try any weird flavor that Tough Gummy wants to throw at me.

Is Tough Gummy better than Sour Patch Kids?

Not by a long shot. Sour Patch Kids have more sour bite and a better sweet flavor on the inside. Tough Gummy is definitely harder, but I don’t think they actually last longer in the mouth than Sour Patch Kids. Also, SPK’s have the childhood nostalgia factor going for them, which these could never meet. Plus, with Sour Patch Kids, you get that bag full of sugar to dip your wet fingers into if the movie is boring.

Is Tough Gummy better than Haribo gummy bears?

No. Though Haribo bears, if you get an old batch, can be hard as a rock, they offer a greater variety and depth of flavor. Again, our experience was a bit tainted by only getting soft drink-flavored ones, but for these, at least, the Tough Gummy appeal is more in terms of novelty as opposed to fruity deliciousness.

Are Tough Gummies better than Weed Gummies?

That depends. Is your goal to get high? In that case, go with the weed gummies. In terms of taste? Eh, I guess I’d go with these, but only because I remember the other kinds I’ve tried being better.

Will Tough Gummies destroy my teeth?

I don’t know. Probably?

Final Verdict

In summary, Tough Gummy is just okay. They live up to their name more than I expected them to, but not enough to belong in the Japanese Crazy Snack Hall of Fame (currently under construction in our apartment). I’d recommend you try them, though don’t expect the world. 15/10 gummy boy 4 life.