Surviving ‘Black Death’: The Jaw-Numbing Sour Sweet Banned for Kids Under 12 Due to Extreme Acidity
"Black Death": The World’s Sourest Sweet Sparks Social Media Frenzy
A new extreme candy is dominating social media: Black Death, a jet-black boiled sweet from UK brand Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe. Marketed as the “world’s sourest sweet,” it outranks notorious rivals like Toxic Waste and Warheads. Priced from £4.50 for 200g, the lemon-flavored balls come with warnings for under-12s and carry risks of mouth or stomach irritation if overeaten.
[Image: Pack of Black Death sweets with visible acid crystals, labeled "Not suitable for children under 12."]
Influencers Can’t Handle the Heat
Videos of daredevils trying Black Death have gone viral. Influencer @underratedhijabi described the taste as a “metal road” in her throat, spitting it out after convulsions. Even MailOnline’s Jonathan Chadwick cautiously tried one, comparing the initial sourness to “biting a grapefruit peel.”
What’s Inside?
The sweets combine malic acid (found in rhubarb) and citric acid (common in cleaning products) for a potent punch. Black iron oxide gives their eerie color, while sugar and glucose syrup balance the tartness.
[Image: Close-up of a Black Death sweet showing its gritty acid coating.]
A Taste Test Journey
The first few seconds deceive with mild citrus, but the sourness escalates rapidly, triggering winces and puckered lips. Unlike the influencer’s dramatic spit-take, the author endured the burn, noting the flavor mellows into sweetness after 30 seconds. The outer acid crystals deliver the fiercest zing, while the center offers a milder tang.
[Image: Side-by-side of sour candies, highlighting Black Death’s stark appearance.]
Safety First
A 10-year-old recently landed in the hospital after throat burns from Black Death, underscoring its risks. Scientists warn excessive acidity can erode mouth tissue. While the candy’s edible acids are safe in moderation, Mr Simms stresses strict age limits and portion control.
How Sour Is Sour?
Sourness is measured against hydrochloric acid (index: 1). Black Death’s citric acid (0.46) and malic acid (0.7) are far milder but still intense for consumables. Inedible industrial acids, like sulfuric, remain off-limits, making Black Death a borderline “extreme” treat.
[Image: Infographic comparing sourness levels of common acids.]
Verdict
While not quite the fictional 77X42 sour bomb from The Simpsons, Black Death pushes boundaries. Its shift from shockingly sour to sweet intrigues thrill-seekers, but caution is key. For now, it’s the pinnacle of palate-puckering candy—no magnetic field required.
[Image: Mock-up of Black Death packaging with hazard-style warnings.]
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