Zotz® are hard candies which have a unique powder filling that causes them to fizz when bitten into. The fizzy center of Zotz® candies is also quite sour, making the experience of eating one exciting, to say the least. These candies can sometimes be hard to find; if you have trouble tracking down Zotz® in your area and you have a hankering for some, you can try online candy retailers. They can also be ordered directly from the manufacturer.

These candies were introduced in the mid-1970s, along with Pop Rocks®, another famous fizzing candy. Inside the seemingly quiescent hard candy shell of a Zotz®, there is a powder which reacts with moisture, frothing up and creating a fizzy sensation. The manufacturers also seized upon the idea of making the power extremely sour, and providing an assortment of flavors. Many people who grew up in the 1970s probably remember being the victims of practical jokes involving Zotz®.

Today, these candies are made by Andre Prost Incorporated, in flavors like cherry, watermelon, and sour apple. Zotz® typically come in strings of individually packaged candies, and depending on the packaging, an assortment of flavors may be included, or a string may be all one flavor. Like many candies, Zotz® are extremely shelf stable; as long as they are not exposed to moisture, excessive heat, or excessive cold, they should keep for an extended period of time.

The history of Zotz® and candy in America in general is quite interesting. The American candy world is dominated by a handful of manufacturers with extensive distribution networks, and as a result, small-time candy companies sometimes have difficulty getting their product to consumers. This is complicated by slotting fees, fees which many chain stores require companies to pay to carry their products. As a result, candies like Zotz® are typically only available in independently owned stores which have a focus on less well known products and old fashioned candies.

For the nostalgic of heart, the hegemonization of the American candy industry is a source of sadness, because it makes it challenging for small candy companies to make a living, and startups often have a very difficult time. Old-fashioned candies are constantly disappearing from the market due to the pressure of the candy industry, with treats like Zotz® enduring because of their novelty factor and devoted fans.