Posted by Erin, Staff Writer
Over the weekend my love for White Rabbit candies was reignited. I was putting together favor bags for a friend's baby shower and wanted to throw in some unexpected, non-chocolate candies. So I bought a bag of White Rabbits and unwrapped some candies to taste -- purely for quality control. I remembered why I loved them as a child: the edible paper-like inner wrapping that's made from sticky rice. While the novelty of eating a paper-like substance has not worn off in adulthood, I found myself more interested in the candy wrapper.
The amazing White Rabbit wrapper
I've since become obsessed with the design of the wrapper. I particularly love the M.C. Escher-like border of rabbits set against a blue background, the font in which 'White Rabbit' is written, and the seemingly random inclusion of an artist's palette. In short, I think it's perfect, and though I'm not a huge fan of the candy itself, I've been plowing through them and saving the wrappers so I can one day wallpaper my bathroom with them.
It's good to know so many others respect and love the White Rabbit wrapper. I too have had a stash of 60+ wrappers that I add to periodically (Pearl River Mart is where I find them). I'm still trying to figure out the best project for them. Perhaps covering the inset of a serving tray? I first discovered the candies while working at a stock photo agency right out of college in 1992, where they always had a bowl out for the employees. I put a wrapper in my sketchbook back then and it's been in my "archives" ever since! The design feels sort of Deco and Weimar to me (a layperson when it comes to design). It seems like a Chinese take on 1920s European design (see the book "Euro Deco" from Chronicle Books).
Posted by: jennifer | Monday, February 18, 2008 at 10:54 PM
White Rabbit is my favorite! I love when it gets soft and chewy. Yum!
Posted by: Melissa | Saturday, February 16, 2008 at 02:48 AM
LOVE white rabbit! I bought my first bag last year and we have a constant supply at home. Now I wish they were here with me.
Posted by: kati | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 11:22 AM
LOVE white rabbit! I bought my first bag last year and we have a constant supply at home. Now I wish they were here with me.
Posted by: kati | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 11:22 AM
LOVE white rabbit! I bought my first bag last year and we have a constant supply at home. Now I wish they were here with me.
Posted by: kati | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Stacey -- That box is a great find!
And to everyone else, thanks for sharing!
Now I'll have to try and track down some red bean and green tea flavored versions.
Erin
Posted by: Erin | Friday, February 15, 2008 at 09:58 AM
I found this picture of a decoupaged "White Rabbit Box" on someone's Flickr site. here is the link http://www.flickr.com/photos/alysha/143205287/
Posted by: Stacey | Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 07:07 PM
In china, they have different flavors of white rabbits now - red bean, black bean, and green tea! Same wrapper in different colors.
Posted by: emily | Thursday, February 14, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Sadly, I've never tried them, but I'm sure it is perfectly safe to say that I would love them!
And I second flattening it with an iron, even between a slightly damp, thin cloth. OR use them crinkly for a fun effect.
xo
April
Posted by: April | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 05:20 PM
This is such a beautiful and unique design. If you're looking for something unique for a childrens room or bathroom, the Osh Kosh Under Construction wall border is very non-traditional: http://www.buzzillions.com/dz_254415_osh_kosh_under_construction_wall_border_reviews
Posted by: Emma | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM
This is so weird - I thought it was just me who was obsessed with them! They give them out at my local Vietnamese too and I always make everyone give me their wrappers - I've covered many a moleskine in them. Oh and I never knew you could eat the papery inner - I always thought it was stuck or melted on or something!
Posted by: Claire | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 01:07 PM
the cover art for the old veruca salt single "benjamin" is based on the white rabbit wrappers. if i remember right the song is about a pet bunny, so it's not completely random, but i think someone in that band must have loved white rabbits as much as you!
Posted by: erin | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 12:22 PM
I'm glad to know other people love these wrappers, too! They give these candies away at a local Chinese restaurant and I am always hoarding the wrappers.
However, I do *like* the candy. I think it tastes just like a vanilla milkshake! Mmmmmm.
Meanwhile, is the white *rabbit* candy a sly reference to pregnancy tests of yore? I haven't heard anyone say, "the rabbit died" in a long, long time! ;)
Posted by: kelly | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I adore these as well - I always pick them up at Pearl River. Asian candy is huge source of design inspiration for me.
Posted by: eye4style | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM
Just two days ago I made a large collage using the wrappers. I happily worked my way through hundreds of them.
I live in Madagascar and found them in a Chinese supermarket and thought they were wonderful. Who knew they've been around for so long? I am just always on the lookout for charming things like them!
Posted by: nina | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 09:40 AM
One could flatten the wrinkles. Sandwich rapper between two pieces of paper, press with a luke warm iron.
My husband and I call each other Bunny. We love anything with a bunny on the packaging!
Posted by: Mary Grace | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 09:20 AM
I've had a White Rabbit wrapper on my Idea Board for YEARS. If I'm lucky and work hard, I may someday design something that appealing. And yes, they're tasty, too. Hmmm, I wonder if anyone sells them around here at this hour?
Posted by: tiddleywink | Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 12:31 AM