You know that specific sound? The crinkle of a red bag that isn't quite the standard licorice? If you've ever spent a road trip systematically untwisting a strand of Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel Watermelon, you know it’s not just candy. It’s an activity. It’s basically the fidget spinner of the confectionary world, but you can eat it.
Honestly, the "watermelon" flavor in the candy aisle is usually a gamble. Sometimes it’s that aggressive, sour chemical punch that melts your enamel. Other times, it's just... pink sugar. But Hershey’s did something weirdly specific with this version. They captured that mid-90s nostalgia flavor—sweet, slightly floral, and neon green/pink—and turned it into a braid.
What Actually Makes the "Pull 'n' Peel" Different?
Standard Twizzlers are hollow. They're structural. You can use them as a straw if you bite the ends off, which is a classic move, though it usually ends in a sticky mess. The Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel Watermelon version throws that architecture out the window.
Instead of a single tube, you get a thick cord made of several individual strands wound together. It’s dense. It’s chewy. It’s remarkably satisfying to disassemble. Most people don't just bite into the whole log. If you do that, you're a monster. No, the "correct" way involves the slow, methodical peeling of a single translucent strand.
It’s tactile.
The texture is fundamentally different from the "Strawberry" or "Cherry" classic twists. Because the strands are thinner once separated, the surface area changes how the flavor hits your tongue. It’s less about the mass of the candy and more about the "pull."
The Flavor Profile: Is It Actually Watermelon?
Let’s be real. If you’re looking for the taste of a fresh, organic heirloom watermelon from a farmer's market, you are in the wrong aisle. This is "Candy Watermelon."
It’s a specific flavor profile that sits somewhere between a Jolly Rancher and a fruit roll-up. According to flavor chemists, watermelon flavoring often relies on esters like ethyl acetate and certain aldehydes to mimic that refreshing profile. In the case of Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel Watermelon, the sweetness is balanced with a tiny hint of tartness, though it’s definitely on the sugary end of the spectrum.
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The ingredients list is pretty standard for a chewy candy: corn syrup, enriched wheat flour, sugar, and palm oil. But the inclusion of salt is actually the secret. Salt acts as a flavor enhancer, making that watermelon artificiality pop against the starchiness of the flour base.
Why the Design Works for "Snack Brain"
We live in a world of mindless scrolling. We need things to do with our hands.
The beauty of the pull 'n' peel design is that it slows down the consumption process. You can’t just inhale a bag in three minutes—well, you can, but it feels like a waste of the engineering. By forcing you to peel the strands, the snack lasts longer. It’s a low-stakes puzzle.
I’ve seen people braid them. I’ve seen kids make "hair" out of them. I’ve seen people tie them into tiny knots before eating them. It’s one of the few candies that encourages you to play with your food, and in a weird way, that makes the sugar hit feel more earned.
The Weird History of the Watermelon Variant
Twizzlers themselves have been around since 1845, originally produced by Young & Smylie. But the Pull 'n' Peel didn’t hit the scene until much later, and the watermelon flavor specifically became a breakout hit in the early 2000s.
It filled a gap.
While the "Red" (Strawberry) flavor owned the theater popcorn pairing market, Watermelon became the "summer" snack. It felt lighter. It looked cooler in the bag with its bright green and pink swirling strands. It’s now a staple of gas station runs and movie theater snack counters across the country.
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One thing people often get wrong: they think all Twizzlers are licorice. They aren't. Technically, "licorice" refers to the root extract. Unless you're eating the black ones, you’re eating "chewy candy." This is why the texture of the Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel Watermelon is so distinctive—it relies on wheat flour to give it that "bite" rather than the gelatin you’d find in a gummy bear.
Nutritional Reality Check
Look, it’s candy.
A standard serving (about 3 strands or 33 grams) usually clocks in around 110 calories. The good news? It’s a low-fat snack. The bad news? It’s almost entirely carbohydrates and added sugars.
- Total Fat: 0.5g
- Sodium: 70mg
- Total Sugars: 14g
If you’re watching your sugar intake, these are dangerous because they feel "light." You peel one, then two, then suddenly half the bag is gone and your fingers are slightly tacky. It happens to the best of us.
How to Find the Best Batch
Not all bags are created equal.
If you buy a bag that’s been sitting on a shelf in a hot warehouse for eight months, the strands will fuse. You won't be able to "pull" or "peel." You'll just have a solid, rectangular brick of watermelon-scented wax.
To ensure the best experience:
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- The Squeeze Test: Gently squeeze the bag. It should feel springy and soft. If it feels rigid or brittle, put it back.
- The Color Check: Look for vibrant colors. Faded pinks or yellows mean the candy has been exposed to too much light or heat.
- Check the Expiration: Twizzlers have a surprisingly long shelf life, but they are at their peak "peel-ability" within the first six months of production.
Creative Ways to Use Them
Believe it or not, people use these for more than just snacking.
I’ve seen them used as edible decorations for "Watermelon" themed birthday cakes. You can wrap them around cupcakes to create a border. Some people even use them as garnishes for summer cocktails—stick a strand in a frozen margarita or a vodka soda for a kitschy, nostalgic vibe.
It sounds crazy, but the slight waxiness of the candy means it doesn't immediately dissolve in liquid. It stays structural for a bit, infusing just a tiny bit of sweetness into the drink.
The Verdict on the Watermelon Peel
Is it the greatest candy ever made? Maybe not. But Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel Watermelon occupies a very specific niche. It’s the king of "distraction snacks." It’s bright, it’s fun, and it doesn't take itself too seriously.
If you’re tired of the same old chocolate bars or the jaw-aching toughness of traditional licorice, the watermelon peel is the middle ground. It’s soft enough to be easy on the teeth but engaging enough to keep you occupied during a long movie or a tedious commute.
Actionable Next Steps for the Snack Enthusiast
To get the most out of your next bag of Twizzlers Pull 'n' Peel Watermelon, follow these steps:
- Cool them down: Stick the bag in the fridge for 20 minutes before eating. It makes the strands snap apart more cleanly and gives the watermelon flavor a refreshing "chill" that mimics the real fruit.
- Pair with salty: Eat them alongside some buttered popcorn or pretzels. The contrast between the artificial watermelon sweetness and the salt is a top-tier flavor combination.
- Storage is key: Once you open the bag, use a chip clip. These candies dry out faster than you'd think, turning from "pullable" to "breakable" in about 48 hours if left exposed to the air.
- Check the "Family Size" Value: Often, the larger bags at big-box retailers have better moisture seals than the small convenience store packs, leading to a softer candy.
Whether you're a long-time fan or a curious newcomer, there's no denying the weird, pink, braided charm of this snack. Just remember: peel it, don't just chomp it.
The experience is in the effort.