I Tasted the World’s Sorest Sweet: Dubbed “Black Death,” This UAE Delicacy Packs a Punch

• EXPLORE FURTHER: The Spiciest Fried Chicken in London Requires Signing a Legal Waiver Before Tasting

If you're into extreme food challenges, then Here’s an intimidatingly delicious new treat sweeping across social platforms.

The 'Black Death' candies are intensely sour jet-black spheres produced by the English sweet maker Mr Simms.

Mr. Simms characterizes the Black Death as 'the world's sourest sweet,' surpassing even the likes of Sour Patch Kids, Toxic Waste, and Warheads Sour Cubes.

The small lemon-flavored round candies can be found on their website priced at £4.50 for 200 grams, £10.99 for 500 grams, and £21.79 for 1 kilogram.

Given their supposed strength, these are not advised for individuals younger than 12 years old.

Social media influencer @underratedhijabi has already tried the confectionary , describing it as like 'a metal road at the back of my throat'.

In a widely shared clip, she dramatically experiences a fit-like reaction moments after putting it in her mouth and hurriedly spits it out.

Undeterred, MailOnline's Assistant Science Editor, Jonathan Chadwick, managed to get his hands on a pack; however, even a single ball from this set proved to be quite sufficient.

I'm a big fan of ultra-sour candies, having spent my childhood devouring treats like Jelly Bellies Sour Beans, Dweebs, Haribo Tangfastics, and Swizzels Refreshers.

But I'm a bit nervous about the Black Death, which has already put a 10-year-old girl in hospital once it scorched her throat.

The Black Death candies can only be found at Mr Simms – the 'Olde Sweet Shoppe,' renowned for its vintage-style wooden-paneled retail locations throughout England.

Upon receiving my sample, I see that the package states the Black Death sweets are 'not recommended for children under 12 years old.'

'WARNING: Consuming too much in a short period might lead to temporary discomfort in the mouth and/or stomach,' it states.

It immediately brings back memories of 77X42, the tiny lemon candy from an episode of 'The Simpsons,' which is so tart that it has to be enclosed within a magnetic field.

The components of Black Death include sugar, glucose syrup, and malic acid — the substance that gives a tangy taste to foods like rhubarb.

It also includes citric acid, which is typically considered safe when used as a food additive, yet it’s also employed as a descaling agent in various household cleaning items.

Black Death ingredients

• Sugar
• Glucose syrup
• Citric acid
• Malic acid
• Gum arabic
• Xanthan gum
• Black iron oxide

Additionally, it contains black iron oxide, which might sound quite foreboding but is actually an authorized and frequently utilized coloring agent in the food sector.

It lends the candies their deep jet-black look, resembling tiny chunks of charcoal (were it not for the thick coating of coarse neon crystals adorning them).

Unlike the hysterical social media influencer I’m not allowed to reject Black Death once I’ve put it in my mouth (after all, it’s just a tasting session!).

For the first two seconds, it doesn't really seem that sour at all, but the zingy effect very suddenly registers.

The sole comparison I can make is like biting into a whole pink grapefruit, including the skin – definitely not very enjoyable.

I experience all the physical signs, such as grimacing and pursed lips — though not as dramatically as Homer Simpson does.

This sour candy is undoubtedly the most tart one I've ever tried, yet I find myself not wanting to discard it.

This somehow contradicts the human body’s natural aversion to sour tastes, which are identified by specific receptor cells within our taste buds.

Fortunately, the intensely tangy flavor doesn't persist throughout the whole duration of sucking the small black ball.

Once around 20-30 seconds have passed, precisely when you feel like you cannot endure anymore, it abruptly changes from being extremely sour to delightfully fruitysweet.

The crunchy white outer crystals appear to be responsible for imparting the bitterness to this treat; however, after you have dissolved them, the challenge of enduring essentially comes to an end.

When you reach the center, you're greeted with an additional hint of tartness—though it doesn’t come close to matching the first powerful sensation.

Frankly speaking, after watching @underratedhijabi's performance, I must say I am somewhat let down that Black Death sweets aren’t much stronger.

Perhaps the level above Black Death would be sweets that include non-edible acids so hazardous they might cause severe injury to someone.

So unless we venture into the imaginative world of Willy Wonka or The Simpsons, Black Death is likely as intense as we'll encounter.

However, I wouldn't recommend eating several of these in one go, or leaving them lying around for any unsuspecting child to encounter.

According to scientists, excess exposure to acid can burn through the tender skin on the tongue and cheeks – so approach with caution.

How is sourness measured?

Sourness is related to the acidity of food, which is often caused by bacterial fermentation and typically evokes a rejection response.

The natural acids present in fruits and veggies encompass malic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid.

It includes acetic acid (which you can find in vinegar), oxalic acid (present in tea, cocoa, and peppers), as well as benzoic acid (located in foods like cranberries, prunes, and plums).

In contrast, inedible acids (ones that are dangerous or unfit for consumption) encompass hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, and nitric acid.

The acidity of substances is measured in comparison to diluted hydrochloric acid, with a rating scale where this substance holds an acidic level of 1 and is known for being highly toxic and corrosive.

In contrast, tartaric acid boasts a sourness index of 0.7, followed by citric acid with an index of 0.46, and carbonic acid trailing behind at an index of 0.06.

Source: Science Direct/Global Food Coloration

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