So what kind of candy is the first to vanish from your bowl of treats?

     Around the office, we have a candy jar that is oftentimes filled with Starburst fruit chews.

     Without a doubt, the first flavor to go are the strawberry chews in the pink wrappers.

     The red-wrapper cherry chews tend to go next. And before too long, there’s a citrus blend of orange and yellow, for lemon, lingering in the jar.

     Generally, all of us take turns filling up the jar, but the reason I notice is because it sits near my computer at the office. And yes, I will accept some role in helping to deplete the strawberry and cherry Starburst supply.

     Being somewhat of a candy connoisseur, I appreciate when candy makers produce variety packs or bags of their products. For the most part, it’s a more economical way of getting your sugar fix for the day.

     When I buy in bulk, though, I try to rig the purchase to my flavor – er, favor – as much as possible.

     For instance, when I see a bag of Dum Dum pops, I will shake and turn it and peer through the clear opening to try and find as many cherry and cream soda suckers as I can. Those are by far my favorite flavors and I want to get as many as possible.

     I’ve noticed there seems to be different kinds of assortments of suckers, depending on the size of the bag. Maybe it’s just me, but smaller bags seem to have more of the flavors I like while the assortments in the bigger bags don’t appear as varied.

     When I find butterscotch or chocolate pops in a bag of Dum Dums, I try to think of friends who may want them. If I can’t or my offer gets turned down, in the garbage they go.

     As for other flavors, I don’t immediately discard the cotton candy or blue raspberry suckers. They are the last to leave the bowl, though.

     Be it bags of Tootsie Roll pops, gummy bears or any other kind of candy that offers a glimpse inside, I seek out my favorite flavors.

     Contrary to Dums Dums and Tootsie Roll pops, Lifesavers lately have tended to be more of a blind bag buy.

     Unlike the old Five Flavors variety bags, the last bag of Lifesavers I bought had some tropical flavors mixed in with the cherry, orange, grape, lime and pineapple. I wasn’t too thrilled.

     For one reason, I got a measly two banana Lifesavers. That’s my favorite flavor of those and I obviously wanted more.

     The other reason can be seen in what’s left from the bag in my candy bowl at the house.

     There are about five grapes, which I don’t like, and several pineapple- and pina colada-flavored pieces.

     The last two are left over because I have a real hard time telling them apart, since both are whitish in color. I like the pineapple candy, but I’m not a fan of the pina colada.

     I think I’ve determined that the pineapple has a slightly more yellow hue, but I’m still not certain. So popping a candy in my mouth expecting one flavor and getting the other is not something I’m going to risk until the bag is almost gone.

     Some bags of candy don’t feature individually-wrapped pieces. I’m OK with that as long I like all the flavors.

     Take Skittles, which are kind of a sister product to Starbursts since they’re both made by the Mars company.

     Skittles are one of my candy “comfort” foods. I have a small container next to the recliner and will scoop a few while watching TV.

     I have favorite flavors of other candies, but  “tasting the rainbow” is a good thing, too.

     That’s all for now.

     Write to Managing Editor Matthew Coleman at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven MS 39602, or send e-mail to mcoleman@dailyleader.com.