Airheads is a brand of candy owned by Perfetti Van Melle, an Italian-Dutch global conglomerate corporation. Airheads are known for their distinct texture, tangy flavor, and bright colors.
Airheads was first introduced in 1986.
Originally only three flavors (cherry, orange, and lemon) were available.
In the 1990s, Airheads expanded their range of flavors and introduced new types of candy, including minis and bitesize pieces.
The brand's popularity continued to grow in the 2000s with the introduction of sour and Xtreme flavors.
In 2020, Airheads introduced a new product line called Airheads Filled Ropes, which features a soft and chewy outside with a flavored filling inside.
Nerds are a brand of candy owned by Ferrara Candy Company. Like Airheads, they are known for their unique texture and bright colors. Nerds come in a variety of flavors and are often sold in small boxes or packets.
Sour Patch Kids are a brand of candy owned by Mondelez International. Unlike Airheads and Nerds, they have a gummy texture and their signature sour flavor is followed by a sweet taste. Sour Patch Kids come in a variety of flavors and are often sold in bags or boxes.
Haribo Goldbears are a brand of gummy candy owned by Haribo. They are shaped like bears and come in a variety of colors and flavors. While they have a different texture, they compete with Airheads in terms of flavor variety and popularity.
Airheads Original features the classic tangy and mouth-watering flavor. These bars come in Cherry, Orange, Blue Raspberry, Watermelon, and White Mystery flavors.
Airheads Xtreme Sourfuls are a twist on the original. They are sour, fruity candy bites in five flavors:
Airheads Filled Ropes feature a soft and chewy outside with a flavored filling inside. They come in five flavors:
The ingredients in Airheads include sugar, corn syrup, maltodextrin, dextrose, modified food starch, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, and citric acid. The exact ingredients can vary by flavor.
Most flavors of Airheads do not have gluten, but it is important to check the label as some flavors may contain wheat-derived ingredients. However, Perfetti Van Melle states that they take great care to prevent cross-contamination during manufacturing and that their products are generally safe for those with gluten sensitivities.
The White Mystery flavor of Airheads is a mystery because the exact flavor is not disclosed. It is marketed as a way to surprise and excite consumers who never know what they will get when they choose the white-flavored bar.
Most Airheads flavors are vegan, although some flavors may contain beeswax or other animal-derived ingredients. It is important to check the label before consuming to ensure that the product meets your dietary restrictions.
Airheads candy has a unique, taffy-like texture that is both chewy and melt-in-your-mouth. The candy is designed to be soft and pliable, making it easy to pinch, roll, or stretch into different shapes.