Maybe not inspirational to all, but definitely a plus for me.

Apparently, Papabubble just opened up it's first store in the US... and in NYC no less! HUZZAH! 

This is NOT your average sugar fix. Imagine fresh hard candy, made daily in front of your eyes, in a dazzling array of colors and tartly delectable fruit flavors.

There was a Papabubble 5 minutes away from my flat in Amsterdam, where I lived for a glorious three months while interning. I'd ride by daily on my rickety green bike (that made my legs ache from desperately trying to reach the pedals), watching the fresh-faced employees gleefully urge long, pliable columns of colorful sugar into careful shapes with their nimble hands. I giggled at the often rude forms the candy could take (this WAS Amsterdam, mind you), but it took me ages to actually step inside.

Once I did, I picked up a small cellophane bag of tropical fruit candies that rattled in my bag as I pedaled home. Sitting on my bed, I let the candies fall, spreading like gems in my lap. I'm still not sure how I managed to make the bag last a week.

Here's the thing about Papabubble- they have international success, with stores in Tokyo, Barcelona, Amsterdam & now NYC. But no advertising. Deceptively simple, pretty site that's easy on the eyes and ears, that urges visitors to experience the wonder that is Papabubble firsthand. But in the veritable metropolis that is the artisanal food universe, Papabubble has cultivated a cult-like following (even with it's fairly hefty price tags).

Why? Maybe because devotees, like me (carefully recreating the taste of banana sugar on my tongue) know that the taste lingers long after the Papbubble bag is empty.

Watch this video for some insight.