I should preface this review by confessing I am a true coffee hater. I’ve tried disguising it with spoonfuls of sugar, milk, cream, saccharin, and anything else I thought would cut the flavor enough for me to drink a cup. But it was all to no avail. In 51 years, I have never been able to drink a cup of coffee. I have, however, from time to time enjoyed ice cream with a slight coffee flavor as long as it was mixed with chocolate, and some coffee flavored candies. But nothing has ever come close to the rich, potent, coffee flavored Coffee Rios I love so much.

Coffee Rio candy are individually wrapped toffee-like pieces that are somewhat hard when you put them in your mouth, then soften to a chewy consistency for an extreme coffee blast. I first discovered Original Roast flavor, but have also tried Kona Blend and Cafe Latte flavors. Although good, contrary to my lifelong disgust for coffee, I don’t care for the milder Kona Blend and Cafe Latte as much as the king of caffiene Original Roast.

The package claims the secret to Coffee Rio’s, “incredibly rich and creamy,” flavor, is real coffee and real cream. And true to their word, the ingredients list coffee and dairy cream, as well as corn syrup, sugar, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, evaporated milk, salt, and lecithin.

The Nutritional Lowdown

Serving size -- about 4 pieces
Total fat -- 2 grams
Saturated fat -- 0.5 grams
Cholesterol -- less than 5 mg
Sodium -- 20 mg
Total carbohydrates -- 11 grams
Dietary fiber -- 0
Sugars -- 9 grams
Protein -- 0

OK, so they’re not the healthiest thing you can eat--they’re c-a-n-d-y. But they are also not the worst thing you can eat, compared to desserts or treats with 10-plus grams of fat and 20 or more grams of cholesterol.

Why do I like Coffee Rio so much? For the life of me, I can’t explain it. As much as I love chewing on each potent, chewy mass, I still detest coffee. I’ve given them to my mother and boyfriend who are both avid coffee drinkers, and they like them as much as I do, and both remarked on their true coffee flavor.

I find Coffee Rios absolutely addicting. I usually have a package by my computer and although I hate to admit it, can go through a whole package in one sitting. A package of approximately 44 sells for $1.99, which I consider a bargain for the pleasure they deliver.

Coffee Rio is a sure thing for coffee addicts. For those who have never liked coffee, I say give Coffee Rio a try before you condemn all things coffee. And remember, if you find the Original Roast too strong, try the Kona Blend or Cafe Latte, but by any means...do give them a try.

Coffee Rio would rate five stars, were it not for the fact that the strong coffee in them stains your teeth, the same as a cup of coffee will, and it leaves a strong coffee aftertaste, again, just as a strong cup of coffee will.

Recommended: Yes