A call out on Facebook revealed several things about Peeps and their place in the world.
Do you like Peeps?
You know what we’re talking about. They’re the heavy-sugar marshmallow candies that are shaped to look like chicks. They’re a classic Easter candy.
Unless you hate ‘em.
Plenty of people hate Peeps. Plenty of people love Peeps. There are very few people in the middle.
There are enough Peeps lovers to keep Peep technology expanding. Where once Peeps were available only in yellow, and only at Easter, you can now buy Peeps in a bunch of colors and flavors, and there are special editions for Halloween, Fourth of July and other holidays. The company recently debuted a pancakes and syrup-flavored Peep. Despite committed field work by The Herald News staff, we were unable to locate and sample the pancakes flavor.
A call out on Facebook revealed several things about Peeps and their place in the world.
The first is that extreme love or hate tends to be the response to Peeps. There’s not much middle ground.
The second is that a good number of people prefer their Peeps microwaved and, in some cases, frozen, and a large number of people like ‘em stale. Responses on Facebook indicate that a lot of people buy Peeps, cut open the plastic wrapping and set them aside to age for a day or so. Letting the soft marshmallow treat become much chewier
But the divide remains deep.
Among the responses we received to our request for Peep opinions were: “Hate,” “Love them,” “Hate x 100,” and “Gross. Hate those peeps.”
They’ve been making Peeps for a long time. Small surprise that, to some, they’re comfort food.
“They always remind me of my Nana…she would always have a stash of them for me on Easter,” said reader Felix Joseph Cerrato III
Those who dislike the peeps tend to also dislike other candy of the legacy variety.
“I’m not a fan, but they’re not as gross as candy corn,” said Sally Araujo Costa, while Kristen Cantara Oliveira said, “The only candy I hate more than Peeps is Circus Peanuts.”
Even the non-humans (or at least their owners) weighed in on the matter.
“My horses like the dry, stale ones,” said Colorado rancher Jennifer Campbell Godard. “So I buy them after Easter when they are basically free.”
“My mom is a huge fan,” said Jason Raposa. “I can’t bear the sight.”
“They’re like eggnog for me,” said Keith Barrette. “Once a year, I’ll have one. Any more than that is too much.”
While Peeps are available at several times a year, they remain a classic Easter food.
“I love them,” said Belinda Morissette. “They’re my once a year addiction.”
“LOVE them,” said Jan Tetreault. “Could eat them all year round. Love the chocolate covered ones. Wait until after Easter to get them cheep.”
“My dad eats them frozen,” said Greg Primo.
Stale. Frozen. Microwaved. Not at all. The Peep remains an enigma covered in sugar.