# You can all stop arguing about this now

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TF3ZDZBSzzs
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/TF3ZDZBSzzs
Generated: 2025-11-06T17:35:52.937+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Twizzlers are scientifically the better red licorice candy compared to Red Vines, winning the preference survey with 49.7% of the vote versus Red Vines' 34.9%, a result that correlates strongly with which candy brand a person grew up eating, suggesting early exposure heavily influences adult flavor preference.

**Key Points:**
- Twizzlers won the general preference survey with 49.7% of respondents choosing them, while Red Vines received 34.9% of the preference votes.
- 15.4% of respondents disliked both candies equally, describing Red Vines as tasting like "vomit flavored rubber" and Twizzlers as tasting like a "tire masquerading as a candy with a facade of strawberry."
- The strongest predictor of current preference was which candy a person grew up eating: those raised on Twizzlers were significantly more likely to prefer Twizzlers, and Red Vines fans showed the same bias.
- Red Vines have historically been manufactured in the San Francisco Bay Area, while Twizzlers have been manufactured in Pennsylvania.
- A study on flavor learning showed that infants whose mothers drank carrot juice during pregnancy and early nursing preferred carrot-flavored cereal more than infants whose mothers did not introduce the flavor prenatally or postnatally.
- The video introduced the concept of the "Uncanny Valley" applied to candy similarity, where products that are *too* similar but not quite right cause revulsion (the dip in enjoyment on the similarity curve).

![Screenshot at 01:55: The final pie chart showing the results of the preference survey, where Twizzlers secured 49.7% of the vote, Red Vines received 34.9%, and 15.4% disliked both, visually confirming Twizzlers as the winner.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-01-55.png)

**Context:** This video investigates the long-standing debate over which red licorice candy, Red Vines or Twizzlers, is superior by analyzing survey data collected from over 900 respondents worldwide, with an emphasis on how early childhood flavor exposure influences adult preference, referencing scientific studies on flavor learning and expectation.

## Detailed Analysis

The video definitively concludes that Twizzlers are the superior red licorice, according to the survey data, winning with 49.7% of the preference vote compared to Red Vines' 34.9%, with 15.4% disliking both equally. This preference split aligns strongly with geographical origin and early life exposure: those raised in Red Vines' primary manufacturing area (West Coast/San Francisco Bay Area) overwhelmingly preferred Red Vines, while those raised near Twizzlers' manufacturing base (Pennsylvania/East Coast) preferred Twizzlers. The survey also explored the intensity of preference, finding that over 40% of those who chose a favorite rated their preference strength as a 5 out of 5. The video uses the concept of the "Uncanny Valley," adapted for candy similarity, to explain the strong aversion some people feel toward the product they dislike—it is just different enough from their preferred candy to cause revulsion rather than acceptance. Furthermore, scientific backing for flavor learning is presented via a study showing infants whose mothers consumed carrot juice prenatally and postnatally preferred carrot-flavored cereal more, suggesting early exposure conditions adult taste. The video humorously contrasts the dislike for the 'loser' candy, with one comment describing Red Vines as tasting like "vomit flavored rubber," while another suggests Twizzlers taste like a poorly recreated Twizzler from memory while having dementia and COVID.

### Historical Context & Manufacturing

- Red Vines originated on the West Coast (San Francisco Bay Area) and Twizzlers in Pennsylvania; Red Vines production moved to Memphis in the 1990s
- Hershey acquired Twizzlers, leading to various spin-offs like filled twists and gummies.

### Survey Demographics & Design

- Over 900 respondents participated globally, answering questions about availability during childhood and current preference (Red Vines, Twizzlers, or Neither/Like Both Equally)
- A follow-up question measured preference strength on a 1-5 scale.

### Preference Results

- Twizzlers won the overall preference vote at 49.7%, Red Vines at 34.9%, and 15.4% disliked both equally
- Preference strongly correlated with childhood candy brand exposure (West Coast favored Red Vines, East Coast favored Twizzlers).

### Sensory & Expectation Science

- Research on flavor learning indicates that prenatal/postnatal exposure (like carrot juice) increases liking
- The concept of the "Uncanny Valley" is applied, suggesting candies that are too similar but not quite right cause revulsion.

### Qualitative Feedback

- Hated Red Vines were described as tasting like "vomit flavored rubber" and the "lost dreams of the elderly"
- Twizzlers haters described them as tasting like a tire masquerading as strawberry candy.

![Screenshot at 00:12: The initial setup for the comparison, showing Red Vines and Twizzlers packages side-by-side with animated characters arguing their merits.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-00-12.png)
![Screenshot at 00:38: A comparison between real licorice root and black licorice candy, clarifying that Red Vines are not made from actual licorice root.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-00-38.png)
![Screenshot at 01:48: A graphic showing over 900 survey respondents gathered to participate in solving the licorice rivalry.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-01-48.png)
![Screenshot at 02:05: The initial pie chart breakdown showing 15.4% dislike both, 5.5% prefer Red Vines, and 7.8% prefer Twizzlers \(these percentages likely represent a smaller subset or an intermediate calculation\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-02-05.png)
![Screenshot at 02:12: The final pie chart showing the overall preference split: Twizzlers \(49.7%\), Red Vines \(34.9%\), and 15.4% dislike both.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-02-12.png)
![Screenshot at 03:45: A map of the US color-coded by the dominant candy preference by state, with the West Coast predominantly Blue \(Red Vines\) and the East Coast predominantly Red \(Twizzlers\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-03-45.png)
![Screenshot at 06:14: A diagram illustrating the "Uncanny Valley" concept applied to candy similarity, showing enjoyment dipping sharply when similarity is moderate \(the 'uncanny' zone\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-06-14.png)
![Screenshot at 07:18: The narrator holding up both packages, preparing to announce the final verdict of the taste tests.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-07-18.png)
![Screenshot at 07:54: The end screen showing various credits, links, and acknowledgments, including a graphic for "The Pineapple Paradox."](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/TF3ZDZBSzzs/00-07-54.png)