Dum Dums Mystery Flavor: A Visual Lesson

Hey, do you know what the Mystery Flavor of Dum Dums lollipops is?

I’ve been randomly asking that question a lot lately, and found it interesting that most people don’t really know the answer. Now, granted, love of the show Unwrapped, and a noggin full of random candy knowledge does help me in that regard. But, even though I’ve known for a long time what the Dum Dums Mystery Flavor IS, it wasn’t until the last few weeks that it was revealed to me visually. Let’s bookmark that, and let me back up a bit…

For Christmas, the husband thought it would be a fun to buy me some candies in bulk and distribute it among my presents. The bottom of my stocking was full of it, I opened a full box of apple Jolly Ranchers, another of watermelon Jolly Ranchers, a tin packed with Kit Kats, and finally, a 360-count bag of Dum Dums.

Naturally, since then, I’ve been downing Dum Dums almost daily. A hefty portion of them came to work with me for myself and co-workers to snack on; they produce nice little sugar rushes while on deadline. (Besides, somebody has to eat those pesky Root Beer ones, right Hannah?) More and more, I find myself gravitating to the Mystery Flavor, just for the rush of not knowing what flavor I’ll get. I probably need more excitement in my life.

So, then WHAT is the Mystery Flavor, you ask? Well, that’s just it — it’s not just one flavor. I remember as a kid, thinking that the Mystery Flavor was just one of the normal flavors slapped with a wrapper that didn’t identify it. Close, but no — the Mystery Flavor can be any flavor, or any combination of flavors, because it is actually what is created when one batch of candy meets the next batch with a different flavor. Instead of wasting the candy with mixed flavors, the Spangler Candy Company calls these Mystery Flavor lollipops. It’s genius, and definitely creates an element of fun.

As I mentioned, even knowing this, I guess I haven’t eaten enough of the Mystery Flavor until now to have the opportunity to SEE these mixed flavors in a Dum Dum. It seems the majority of Mystery Flavor lollipops still appear as one solid color. Thanks to my big bag, I’ve come across a few of these rare ones, and they are particularly tasty AND pretty, check it out! (Click each to enlarge.)

Like sweet candy marbles, they are! Oh, and that last one was Cherry with a bit of Cotton Candy. It was freaking phenomenal. Now, if there was ever any doubt that the Dum Dums Mystery Flavor is a combination of flavors, this certainly confirms it. Keep an eye out for these swirly ones! I certainly will, as I work through the rest of my sucker stash.

Oh, and look below if you’d like to view the Dum Dums segment from the Food Network show Unwrapped that discusses the Mystery Flavor: