The Hottest Candy Craze

By Laura Briedis

When Lena Wilson first discovered freeze-dried candy last year, she was intrigued. “I adore candy, and I’m also fascinated by science, so I went to a food show and tried freeze-dried candy,” she says. “It tastes like nothing else—super light and crunchy.”

The sweet obsession led her to research the technology, undergo training and certification, invest in a commercial-grade freeze dryer, rent a commercial kitchen, and found the adorably named company Uncle Crunch.

During the freeze-dry process, all water is sublimated from the food, leaving highly porous nutrients and flavor compounds intact. The end product is lighter-than-air puffed and shelf-stable for 25 years. The top sellers are Happy Crunchies and OG Rainbow Crunchies.

Lena enjoys bringing her products to local events and shows, especially watching people’s faces light up with that first bite. Look for a schedule on her social pages.

She’s also become a bit of an internet sensation herself, with more than 2,000 TikTok followers who watch her throughout the candy-making process.

Uncle Crunch is headquartered in Brunswick. Shop for Lena’s famous small-batch, freeze-dried candy at UncleCrunch.com. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Shipping is free on orders over $25. Take 20% off your order by using the code MIMI, now through Wednesday, May 1, 2024.