Those of us who came of age in the 1990s and 2000s will never forget the unmitigated thrill of popping Orange Balls, those round orange sweets in transparent wrappers with yellow letters. The memories still make us drool. Sujal Foods has now stopped making these delicious delights, spelling an end of an era when the sweet Orange Balls and their close cousins sweet-and-sour Rimjhim Balls (also known as Black Balls) were the undoubted kings of the Nepali sweet market. Cheap too, as four could be had for a rupee. (APEX recently hit the streets in search of these candies but in vain.) There is a Facebook group, with more than 10,000 followers, dedicated to these two candies. People still post on Facebook and Reddit querying about their origin, recipe, and writing their personal stories. We bring to you some old fans of these candies and their incredible memories.
Elena Gurung, Video creator, 19
I and my cousins were very naughty when we were young. Just to make us sit down for a while, my grandmother used to ask us to draw. If the drawing was nice, she would give us 25 paisa each. It was a big deal for us then because we could get one Orange Ball for that money. When our grandma gave us money, all of 75 paisa, the three of us cousins would then run to the store. One of us would get a Black Ball and the other two would get an Orange Ball each. We would divide the spicy Black Ball into three pieces, eat it, and only then eat Orange Balls.
Sabin Karki, Dancer, 23
I still remember getting four Orange Balls for one rupee when I was little. One of my friends had brought like a bunch of Orange Balls to distribute in school on his birthday. I was amazed! He let everyone in the class take as many as we wanted. That day was amazing and remains a fond memory.
Saurav Chaudhary, Actor, 27
Four-for-One: Perhaps the best deal I could have gotten at “Maila uncle ko pasal” for those candies. I vividly remember my friends showing off their colored orange tongues. The funniest part was making ‘colas’ and orange juice out of those candies, which is the best juice I have ever had. I still wish we could get the same candies with same taste and the same type of friends with the same innocence.
Raj Shah, Sarwanam Theater Director, 32
An entire packet of Rimjhim Balls or Orange Balls used to cost Rs 14. We, as children, could not afford it. One candy used to cost Rs 0.25 but for Rs 14, we could get more in quantity. So, my friends and I used to form a group of 5-6 people and each of us would contribute Rs 3 for a packet of that candy. I think it was the cheapest and most famous candy of our generation. We used to take off its wrappers and put the candies in our pockets. Then we would secretly eat it during class hours.
Swoopna Suman, Singer, 23
I was in my hostel back then. One night, I saw a friend of mine take out some candies from his black box. He handed me almost half a packet of Lacto, Orange Balls and Black Balls. I ate them all, at once. Right before I fell asleep, I felt a light sting on my left cheek. The next morning, my left cheek was totally numb. Next thing I realized my left eyelid wouldn’t blink. I don’t know if it were those candies or my body, but I got half of my face paralyzed for the next 3 months.
Kristie Rai Potter, 28
Whoever made Orange Balls is a star. I think at least 60 percent of my childhood body was made out of Orange Balls, haha.
Pratik Dhakal, 26
I used to buy 30 Orange Balls at once and dissolve them in water to make orange juice. And believe me, it tasted great, just like orange juice. That was me when I was just five! Sweet memories, indeed.
Neeru Tharu, 18
Before Orange Balls were 25 paisa a pop and I now hear they are Re 1 per piece. Now this candy is difficult to find. Maybe it is still available at Bhatbhateni. [Ed: No it is not]
