Your Guide To Holiday Brucicles

     During the festive holiday season, everyone loves to spend all their time enjoying all the amazing food! No holiday party is complete without a giant spread of incredible savory pies, hot cups of Borovan, and a tray of sweet cookies and pastries. But it is crucial that we don’t forget one of the most amazing sweets to come out of Terror Mountain: Brucicles! And since Bruce Day is here, what better time to pay homage to one of the coolest (get it, COOLest) desserts around.

     Before we dive into the exact flavors, we should delve a bit into the history of this magnificent popsicle. There is actually a wonderful book on the topic, Guide To Brucicles, that will give you the most comprehensive information on the subject. But you’re here to read the Neopian Times, not a long (somewhat boring) book! So the quick version:

     Brucicles are usually sweet, but sometimes a bit on the savory side, and are made out of a flavored water/juice combo. The liquid is then poured into a mold, one that resembles the shape and style of the iconic Bruce Neopet, and that liquid is frozen. Many of them have food coloring added to create a cool look. After they are frozen, they are either served as is or garnished with a few extra adornments. They were originally created in Terror Mountain, and sold as part of the Snow Food collection, but they have become so popular they are popping up all over Neopia! Some days you can even find a few at the Money Tree. They are great for hot days on Mystery Island, or a summer walk in Neopia Central, but the original way they were enjoyed was on the frozen peaks of Terror Mountain during the chilly December months!

     Now you think you are ready to dive into the world of Brucicles? My suggestion is to start off with a Chocolate Brucicle, it is a familiar flavor and not overly complicated, and one guaranteed to impress even the pickiest of palates. It isn’t too adventurous, and is a great way to get into the art of collecting Brucicles. Though it may be a bit basic for some people.

     Kicking it up a notch, but still playing it safe, you can have yourself a Fruity Brucicle. They are a complete rainbow in color, with layers of different fruity flavors as you continue to work your way through the ice. It is refreshing, amazing for when you are craving bright and tangy flavors.

     But what if sweet and fruity isn’t quite your thing? Take a chance on the Grunion Brucicle, it is spicy and savory and a total shock to the taste buds! Most people expect Brucicles to be sweet, but this twist will surprise you. This isn’t for the faint of heart, as Grunions have a slightly unique taste, and the black and white color pattern of it can look a little unappetizing to most.

     For those seeking an unfamiliar yet still sweet taste, try a Durian Brucicle. Durians tend to have an extremely foul odor, but once you plug up your nose and go in for a bite you will never turn back! They are sweet, juicy, and one of my personal favorites.

     And if you want a little evil with your sweet, go for an Evil Coconut Brucicle. You might have to shuck the shell of it, but once you get inside it’ll be a delicious coconut flavor with a hint of...pure evil...There are not many studies out there that say if you yourself will become evil after trying it, but it is a risk I’m willing to take: they are delicious!!

     If you are looking to impress your friends with a cute or interesting design, you can choose between the Hubrid Nox Brucicle or Sloth Brucicle. Both are designed after Neopia’s most evil characters, but somehow they look so adorable in Brucicle form! They both wear little outfits and are perfected crafted to resemble their evil overlords, but the taste is far from a crime against your tastebuds.

     And perhaps you have a cheeky friend that you are looking to play a prank of. There are two options, the deceptive and not delicious Chalk Brucicle, which is sure to make your friend spit it out immediately. Or, you can trick them into thinking you already ate their dessert with an Invisible Brucicle, just make sure to tell them it was a joke before their icy treat melts and they really are left with nothing but the popsicle stick!

     Last but not least, possible the most relevant for the season, is the Christmas Brucicle. I love sending these out to all my friends throughout the month of December. They are totally cute, dressed up like little Santa Claus’ Bruces, and are sure to be a hit at your holiday gathering.

     If this isn’t enough for you, there are still plenty of other flavors and styles for you to try or collect. Most Brucicles come at a very affordable price that won’t break the bank, so grab as many as you can and try to find one you like. I will warn you though, I haven’t met a single person who enjoyed their Snot Brucicle, so buyer beware.

     Just make sure to keep your frozen lollies far away from the hot chocolate or steaming potato dishes at the holiday party...they melt very easily and you don’t want to serve a plate of warm flavored water...yuck... They are best kept in the freezer until you are ready to serve them!

     Bonus Tip: Did you know you can turn your Neopet into a Brucicle? That’s right! Ice Bruces take on the same color scheme as a Brucicle, and if you are able to find an unconverted one up for adoption it will retain the same shape as Brucicle! These pets are for the most dedicated fans, and can be very difficult to find. But the converted ones are more available, and this allows you to dress them up a bit and that is tons of fun!