Honeycomb candy—or “sponge candy,” “seafoam candy,” or “cinder candy,” depending on what part of the world you’re in—is a classic confection composed of sugar, honey, and baking soda . Nowadays, most versions found at specialty candy shops or online (when you can find them, that is) aren’t actually made with honey—but they are accompanied by a formidable price tag. So you can imagine our delight when our product developer presented what is now Trader Joe’s Milk Chocolate Covered Honeycomb Candy to the tasting panel!

To craft this nostalgic treat, a thick syrup of sugar and honey is first boiled, and then combined with baking soda when it’s removed from heat. The mixture is poured into trays, and as it cools, the baking soda dissolves, leaving behind air pockets (reminiscent of a Honeycomb!) that create the Candy’s signature appearance and delightful, airy-yet-crispy texture. The aromatic, deep golden Honeycomb Candy is then bathed in rich Milk Chocolate, creating an irresistible juxtaposition of creamy and crunchy textures and caramel and chocolate flavors that’s quite enjoyable on its own, or when paired with a strong cup of tea.