This Iconic Sour Candy Is Back at Trader Joe’s—But the Internet Is Divided
- Trader Joe’s Sour Strawberry Candy Belts have sparked mixed reviews among shoppers, with some loving the sweet and sour flavor combination while others find them unappealing.
From iconic totes to fan-favorite freezer finds , a popular returning Trader Joe's item can send shoppers racing to their nearest store in droves. There are some buys from the chain though, that not everyone agrees is worthy of cult-favorite status.
The latest to fall under that category? Trader Joe's Sour Strawberry Candy Belts. While some adore the standout sour sweet, others say it's a hard pass.
This sour candy is exactly what it sounds like: candy strips that balance both sweet strawberry and tart sour flavors. The chain says it's a pick its been dying to add to its sour candy lineup for years.
But, not all Trader Joe's shoppers are fans of the $3.49 tangy belts.
In a TikTok with nearly 500,000 views, one Trader Joe's shopper announced: "PSA: sour strawberry belts are back in stock," emphasizing "they're so good." What followed was lots of opinions in the comments.
While this TikTok user beams these fruit-flavored sour candy belts are worth stocking up on, one shopper immediately disagreed calling them "the worst candy I've ever had." Many didn't go as far as calling them the worst, but did say they didn't think they were sour enough. Someone else agreed though, saying they were "gross."
On the other hand, there were plenty of shoppers who couldn't have been happier to see them back in stores.
One shopper said she ran as fast as she could to her nearest Trader Joe's and, once she spotted these fruit-flavored belts, stocked up on ten of the candies. Another wrote that, although they agreed these weren't as sour as expected, that it made them taste even better. Someone else raved they were delicious, and a different shopper said they always feel completely nostalgic.
In the past, people have adored them since these belts make the perfect movie snack. Plus, in typical Trader Joe's fashion, they're so low-cost.
On its website , Trader Joe's deems the candy as a backpack-ready treat that's totally shareable.
Made specially "by an expert gummy candy supplier in Turkey," the chain explains, these vegan Sour Strawberry Candy Belts are made with "natural flavors, and colors derived from fruit & vegetable juices. Open the tub and you'll be hit by a fragrant Strawberry aroma, like a strawberry plant that's been basking in the summer sun."
Despite the mixed thoughts, there's no denying that shoppers have been grabbing extras of this less than $5 candy. So, if you're curious to see the hype about a Trader Joe's sweet treat the internet has lots of hot takes on, head on over to Trader Joe's and try this candy out for yourself.
Related: Shoppers are Obsessed with a Trader Joe's Beauty Must-Have Back In Stores—And It's Only $5
This story was originally reported by Parade on Sep 22, 2025, where it first appeared in the Food & Drink section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
