I received a mass email from my American rabbi today. In a press release dated December 2, the Orthodox Union announced that it is now certifying as kosher Tootsie Rolls.
To those who did not grow up with the chewy, gooey confection, I pity you. They were a favorite Halloween treat, and one which could keep one chewing delightedly for a good ten minutes. They were put in the centers of Tootsie Pops, so one could enjoy a tangy lollipop, with a chocolatey chew chaser. For a while they sold kits so kids could soften the Tootsie Rolls and put them into fun molds for an almost candy-making experience. And when they came out with Giant Tootsie Rolls, it was just gilding the lily. (One big one instead of a couple of handfuls of little ones, I guess.)
It was big news when Oreos became kosher. (Though I admit I always preferred Hydrox to Oreos; guess the lard didn’t do as much to the taste as the kosher crowd imagined it did.) But in my opinion, since there has never (to my knowledge) been anything to serve as a kosher substitute for Tootsie Rolls, this is possibly even bigger news. What remains to be seen is if they will import them to Israel as an alternative to the horrid goos, gums, chews, and other sugary rubbish they sell here.
*Sigh.* One small step for the OU, but one giant step for the kosher Yid.
Shimshonit 
Best blog post ever. I can (based on the blog entry’s title) hear the giddy screams of a grown woman reliving her childhood.
(I’m thinking the episode of How I Met Your Mother about what they dub “revertigo” or “associative regression”, of reverting to your childhood self when you meet a childhood acquaintance. Somehow, my yeshiva actually has a de facto official television show. Okay, the Israelis aren’t in on it, but do they count?)
Now we just need kosher Skittles and Sour Patch Kids. Skittles are just awesome, while Sour Patch Kids would allow me to relive my days as a middle/high-school wrestler.
Next question is what about tootsie pops?
Tootsie Roll Industries, Inc. says that Tootsie Rolls, Tootsie Fruit Rolls, Frooties, and DOTS are now kosher. Alas, there was no mention made of Tootsie Pops.
!!!!
This is now on my list of what my friend is bringing me next month :)
Kate: Let ’em drip from your chin!