Sour Patch Kids (known as Very Bad Kids in France,[1] and known as Maynards Sour Patch Kids in Canada and previously in the UK) are a brand of soft candy with a coating of invert sugar and sour sugar (a combination of citric acid, tartaric acid, and sugar).

[2] The tartaric and citric acids provide the candy with a sharp burst of tartness, while the inverted sugar gives the soft gummy its sweet flavor.

[3] Sour Patch Kids Extreme, which contains malic acid in addition to the tartaric and citric acids, is considered the sourest variation in the Sour Patch line of candies.

[4] Sour Patch Kids were created in the early 1970s by Frank Galatolie, originally under the name "Mars Men," while working as a confectioner at Jaret International.

"[5][1] The name was likely changed to capitalize on the popularity of Cabbage Patch Kids at the time.