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White Rabbit and its Edible Candy Wrapper
by Farah 'Fairy' Mahdzan (11-Jul-2003) | Readers Say

Ever noticed how babies are so ravenous by nature? Try giving a baby a sheet of blank paper and see what he does with it. Chances are he'll crumple it with his tiny hands and then stuff it into his mouth while drooling incessantly. Whether the baby really intend to eat the sheet one will never know, for his parents will inadvertently come running in a frenzy to save the poor child from choking on the paper. But not without strangling you first for offering the paper in the first place.

Somehow we all as young humans possess the instinct to insert foreign objects into our mouths, never mind that it could be toxic, not that we knew nor cared. Sure, we grew up later on and learned to not put paper, pens and erasers into our mouths, but let’s admit it; it’s fun to put things into places where it doesn’t belong.

So imagine our delight when we first discovered a candy whose wrapper actually begged us to be placed in our mouths! And to be eaten!


Remember White Rabbit, the white equivalent of toffee from China? It was and still is commonplace here in Malaysia’s world of junk food. This one particular sweet is generally liked by all Asian kids, from Indonesians to Filipinos, Singaporeans to Taiwanese, largely due to its edible translucent wrapper.

The edible lining created a wave of exhilaration for us kids because for once we could stuff "paper" into our mouths without our parents shrieking in panic. Edible paper, how gnarly was that!

The "paper" was of course was nothing more than a thin layer of rice paper that melted quickly and ingeniously upon contact with saliva.

Edible translucent candy wrapper, ooo yeah.

The candy itself was nothing more than small hardened gobs of sweet condensed milk which at times were tough to chew through. Be careful when chewing these suckers or risk permanent jaw-lock or losing a tooth filling. Ideally you would want to store the sweets at room temperature so that they’d be soft when you eat them. None of this let’s-keep-the-sweets-in-the-fridge thing ya, you’ll be sorry you did.

Although White Rabbit is famous for its incorporation of edible wrapper, you have to remember that it doesn’t apply to the first and outside layer of packaging with the rabbit logo. I mean you could eat it if you wanted to. Sure. And risk dying of ink poisoning or indigestion.

A tip for White Rabbit beginners: Do not, I repeat, do NOT eat this wrapper.
If your friends tell you that it's edible, you need to find new friends. Quickly.

Lastly, I am happy to report to all White Rabbit sweet aficionados that these white bunnies are still widely available today, either by the gram:


Or prepackaged for your enjoyment:

Long live edible candy wrappers! Long live White Rabbit!

 

WHAT READERS SAY ABOUT White Rabbit and its Edible Candy Wrapper:
#55. haha! love your post! i'm one of those "friends" who make their friends eat the outer wrapper. lol
Posted by shella on 26-Dec-2008, 06:40 MYT

#54. email me at isaachopkinson@hotma il.com as to where to buy these. My mandirin teacher gave some to me AND I LOVE THEM..... I couldn't find any in chinatown in London.. please help xD
Posted by isaac on 29-Oct-2008, 03:06 MYT

#53. BABYNME & L: Thanks for sharing this vital piece of information.

Hear that folks, resist these White Rabbits!
Posted by Fairy on 24-Sep-2008, 10:13 MYT

#52. update! the white rabbit candy unsafe because of the milk. the milk in china has been sold with rocks inside to fasly inprove protein!
Posted by L on 24-Sep-2008, 07:56 MYT

#51. Right now as im posting this, on the hong kong news (im chinese in canada and have cable) their saying that white rabbit may have chemicals!
Posted by L on 24-Sep-2008, 07:41 MYT

#50. Becareful with the White Rabbit Candy. Recents reports have indicated melamine contamination in the White Rabbit Candy discovered by the Singapore's government following the widespread baby milk contamination in China. Malaysia has also directed a ban on this product. Apparently, this is not the first time the White Rabbit Candy was indicated in a contamination scandal. In July 2007, the same candy was apparently reported by the Pillippines government to have contain formaldehyde, causing cancer. The Chinese government apparently denies such contamination and continue to export the product to many other countries. Advise is to stop consuming them immediately. Melamine contamination in baby milk has already affected over 53000 babies in China. 4 have reportedly died from kidney failure. I've some recent reports in my blog. Link
Posted by babynme - Website   on 23-Sep-2008, 18:22 MYT

#49. i love white rabits were can you get them in england
Posted by lovwiytrabs on 20-Sep-2008, 19:53 MYT

#48. dose anybody know where I can buy edible cellophane from ?
Posted by brian le on 24-Jun-2008, 21:50 MYT

#47. This candy SO rocks. My son initially begged me to buy some since his Chinese teacher had distributed it during Chinese class one day. I bought a few bags. Since then? My small size has grown 5 pounds. Yeah... eating the 16 ounce bag a day will do it. Typically, we start chomping down these bad boys around 8 in the morning and don't stop until late at night. The effects are only being seen on the scale so far... not at the dentist yet. My warning... this is SO addictive and it can happen to YOU.
Posted by aeromom on 23-May-2008, 00:51 MYT

#46. I got some at the Chinese shelves at the UNI shop. They are hard to get used to, but good once you have, in moderation. Yeah, the starch-wrapper confused me as i unwrapped the outer-plastic one to find it 'shrink-wrapped'.

I was more worried about the black smears under the rice-paper on a number of the sweets in the bag, especially since it looks like oil, and they are made in Shanghai. I saw a video of Shanghai where a couple bought their brand new car one day and had to clean all of the dusty off it the very next day, thick black sooty dust!

Posted by reuben on 28-Feb-2008, 07:21 MYT

#45. I went on a school trip to Sarawak once and in the evening our bus stopped by a shop, so I bought a large bag of White Rabbits. I ate the entire pack before dinner (couldn't eat dinner) and chewed the last couple whilst in bed before falling asleep. 16 years on and I haven't touched one since...... Shame really.
Posted by Mike on 8-Feb-2008, 11:15 MYT

#44. these candies are so NOT HEALTHY i've heard from an online news somewhere which i cant trace back it says that there have been several cases where these candies create illnesses can cancerous ingredients are made to make them... so be careful... if you want to eat them eat it in moderation... i myself would never eat it ever again...
Posted by vic on 28-Sep-2007, 12:39 MYT

#43. Hi, anybody know about the spesification or quality standart of commercial edible film.
Thanx...
Posted by isti on 29-May-2007, 11:21 MYT

#42. OMG! me and my family LOVE white rabbits, i mean seriously, the only place we can get em from is china town!! Little interesting fact, there are actually 2 types of white rabbits! *GASP!* Nice ones, and ... well... bad tasting ones...
Posted by Bubblegum luva on 13-May-2007, 13:34 MYT

#41. Golden Monkies are much better than White Rabbits - same type of sweet with rice paper wrapping but softer..... you won't loose your fillings!
Posted by JP on 27-Mar-2007, 13:19 MYT

#40. in Perth there's only like one shop you can buy these and my friend absolutely loves them. the edible wrapper...so ingenious lol
Posted by Joel on 15-Jul-2006, 22:32 MYT

#39. can you make an edible candy wrapper that you can print an edible design on and shrink-wrap it to a piece of candy?
i have an idea i need help with
thank you
tim taylor
Posted by tim taylor on 9-Jun-2006, 03:11 MYT

#38. weird! edible paper? I'd never heard of white Rabbit, but when i ordered an anime beanie from justmanga.com, it came with a candy... white rabbit! I still haven't eaten it, I will when I'm in a
Posted by Amanda The Stampede on 4-Apr-2006, 04:24 MYT

#37. HOW CAN ANYONE LIVE WITHOUT WHITE RABBIT????WHITE RABBIT IS THE BEST THING I'VE EVER TASTED!!!!EATING WHITE RABBIT TASTES ALMOST LIKE KISSING A NORWEGIAN WOMAN OR A CHINESE GIRL!!!!! WHITE RABBIT FOR LIFE!
Posted by NUNO on 24-Mar-2006, 10:01 MYT

#36. i love white rabbit lollies i get them every time i go to the shops. so when i go to the shops i cant wait to get a pack and eat them all!!!
Posted by tay on 21-Jan-2006, 14:20 MYT

#35. Glad to see someone else loves these. They are part of my weekly groceries.
Posted by Rachel on 9-Jan-2006, 04:10 MYT

#34. but i think u gotta remember this tip : DO NOT I SAY DO NOT KEEP the white rabbits in your handbag for a long time ... You'll get sticky pocket tissues and sticky lipstick and foundation and no more yummy white rabbits.!! LOL
Posted by MRiz on 8-Nov-2005, 17:56 MYT

#33. I'm eating them right now!
Posted by Robert Lo Bue on 27-Oct-2005, 21:26 MYT

#32. omg...there are CHOCOLATE white rabbits? I've never seen them in australia! *cry*
Posted by sarah on 9-Jul-2005, 18:22 MYT

#31. spot on!
didn't we all love to eat it cause it meant eating paper!

you're right about the mistake of putting it in the fridge... biggest crime ever!
Posted by nomad on 9-May-2005, 10:01 MYT

#30. God I love White Rabbit, a Chinese friend introduced me to it in uni. It's so damn nice.

The inner wrapper fooled me to, I thought at first it was something you take off.

They do chocolate flavoured White Rabbit sweets to now which is just as nice

Great review

Posted by Silver on 6-May-2005, 22:30 MYT

#29. White Rabbit really are addictive things... I'm munching my way through a bag from the Asian hypermarket in Nottingham (UK). I was worried that the wrappers might not be supposed to stick to the sweets, and be eaten - thanks for putting my mind at rest
Posted by Kieran Turner - Website   on 29-Mar-2005, 06:12 MYT

#28. Im eating these right now! I get them from the asia supermarket in Belfast
Posted by Ladybugk on 17-Mar-2005, 00:17 MYT

#27. Wow.. I remeber these. I used to eat them a lot when I was in Indo. I guess I just grew out of. And yes the first time I ate these I attempted to take off the wrapper But hey, I was probably 4-5
Posted by Jo - Website   on 28-Jan-2005, 21:45 MYT

#26. Its amazing, and its too tasty.
Posted by S.S.Bhowmick on 4-Jan-2005, 18:37 MYT

#25. hi, im interested.
Can you tell me how to make those so called rice papers that covers the white rabbit candy?
Posted by arkles on 3-Jan-2005, 19:05 MYT

#24. Wahhh White Rabbit!!!. Kiter Org seberang tambak pun suker ahhh. oh and yeah LYNA .. REMEMBER ME .. SHIDY!!!! I'm not with Intertwined.net no more. COME VISIT my new temp site.
Posted by Shidy - Website   on 6-Oct-2004, 11:59 MYT

#23. Ya ampun Rig, segitunya!! Kasian Dira. I got to admit using that evaporating disinfectant stuff is handy at times, but if you're allergic to it teruk lah kot.

Raf, you datang KL bawak sikit kertas Listerine tu. Nak try test tengok.
Posted by Fairy on 19-Jul-2003, 23:36 MYT

#22. hey, Fai... re. that disinfectant liquid thingy, my sister is highly allergic to it. She used it once, and a few hours later, her hands are beginning to be itchy, and later on she got this severe case of eczema, on every part that had been in contact with the liquid. Yukkkk!!!
Posted by rigs on 19-Jul-2003, 22:27 MYT

#21. which 7e? i believe the ones around my area would have it, we have tons infact lol. cause all stuck with the stock ever since the craze died down. you can get it around tampines 7-e's. if you still cant find it, you can buzz me, i could get it for you guys as long as not out of the way.
Posted by Rafthah on 19-Jul-2003, 15:27 MYT

#20. Raftah, you've gotta let me know which 7-11 branch carries that Listerine. One of my friend from Singapore was extremely disappointed when I forgot her stash the last time I was back . Fairy, I think it takes getting used to those products. I, for one, am guilty of using those hand-sanitizing lotions that evaporate in your hands (it's so convenient) - picture hanging on to the subway railings during rush hour, and feeling the inch-thick grease left by god-knows-how-many people holding those poles and you just need to get the s*** out of your hands... you get the picture. I would caution using this instant sanitizer as it usually contains alcohol which dries up your skin. Back to the Listerine sheets, they kill your taste bud the first time around, but as you get used to it, you'll get hooked
Posted by Amri on 19-Jul-2003, 13:27 MYT

#19. Kak Amri, don't play play with Rafthah, she's 7-11 Queen and ruler of all inventory stocking, so she knows what she's talking about.

But honestly, I am hearing about this edible Listerine paper product for first time and the concept's a bit scary lah jugak, I think Listerine is horrible to begin with (try gargling with mouth ulcers and you'll see what I mean!), I can't imagining downing it like I would food.

But I guess if you're looking for a calorie-free alternative to chewing mint gum, then I guess that would be the way.

Somehow all this talk is reminding me of this disinfectant product that you'd use in place of soap. The one where you'd squeeze a bit out from its tube and rub your hands together with the small blob until it evaporates. Sort of like dry soap without the use of water. I've not seen Malaysians use this; while I was in Indonesia, people used it loads. Esp. on the long train rides. *shudder*
Posted by Fairy on 19-Jul-2003, 09:16 MYT

#18. I'm afraid you're wrong, we already had the Listerine thingy since 3 mths back and the craze over it had die even , msia might have had it as well?
Posted by Rafthah on 19-Jul-2003, 06:08 MYT

#17. Speaking of edible plastic wrappers, Listerine came up with this edible paper-thin mouth freshener (with similar texture as the candy wrapper) that, well, cleanses your breath in place of a minty gum or Tic Tac. It doesn't have added sugar or sugar substitutes like the other breath fresheners and taste like... what else but Listerine. It's a shock to your tongue and mouth the first time around, but it surely refreshes your mouth, like you've just gargled a capful of Listerine. As far as I know, it's not yet available in the Southeast Asian market (yes, including Singapore), so don't feel too bad if you don't know what I'm talking about, but it's worth a try. It's a highly coveted product by my friends in Singapore and of course, my sister.
Posted by Amri (Jaja's Sister) on 19-Jul-2003, 03:16 MYT

#16.

Dah lama aku tak merasa benda tu..
Posted by aslan on 18-Jul-2003, 21:47 MYT

#15. Wah wah Lyna, semangatnye. Hey drop me an email lah. We'll decide where to chill later.
Posted by Fairy on 16-Jul-2003, 17:17 MYT

#14. anytime ur free!!!
Posted by lyna - Website   on 16-Jul-2003, 12:08 MYT

#13. Alright Lyna, bile nak jumpa so that I can pass you all this leftover junkfood?
Posted by Fairy on 15-Jul-2003, 21:21 MYT

#12. nak tolong abiskan? eh boleh ajeeeee...satu gunung besar pun boleh janji boleh gain weight!!! LOL keep it coming in!
Posted by lyna on 15-Jul-2003, 17:26 MYT

#11. Well, as long as I keep churning these junk food stories, count on gaining weight then. I wish I had you around everytime I get done writing a review, I don't know what to do with the excess snacks. Come and help me habiskan, Lyna?
Posted by Fairy on 15-Jul-2003, 14:22 MYT

#10. yep, ur soooo rite. i guess our childhood ni ade resemblance sikit
by the way i juz wanted to inform u that, after i read ur story on white rabbit, i immediately went out and bought one kat Giant Hypermarket (kat hypermarket pun jual!) since Giant is like a 100 metres away from my office! LOL
ps : good, good. the more i read ur stories, the more i wanna eat it all back. i need to GAIN weight! (yes, GAIN weight insetad of LOSING it)
Posted by lyna on 15-Jul-2003, 12:39 MYT

#9. I tried an experiment with my 4-year-old niece last night who has never had White Rabbit Candy. As suspected she tried picking off the translucent wrapping, to which my sister and I laughed. She looked sooo confused when we told it could be eaten, after which she broke into this happy childish grin, one of great content! I tell you kids have fun eating things that they're not supposed to hehe.

And Lyna, is there any candy that I've written about that you didn't like? Semua suke!
Posted by Fairy on 15-Jul-2003, 11:04 MYT

#8. haha! i still love those rabbit candy sampai sekarang! and its cheap too! when i was small, i actually buang the thin layer of rice paper yang boleh makan tu, and marah all my sedare2 kecik yang makan the rice paper tu, saying that they'll die eating it ^_^ stupid me! (tu mase kecik2 eh!)
Posted by lyna on 15-Jul-2003, 11:00 MYT

#7. You can get White Rabbit at Carrefour (by the gram) or at any Giant supermarkets. Heck, kedai runcit mamak and Cina pun banyak lah.
Posted by Fairy on 14-Jul-2003, 11:57 MYT

#6. Hey...i remember these and the udang ones.....where to get it??? buy a whole bunch of these and sit down and spice up you office life. how? aha!! visit moi hp....fairy..i want those!!!!
Posted by freakdiver - Website   on 14-Jul-2003, 11:39 MYT

#5. rasanya ada satu lagi seangkatan dengan white rabbit ni..kalau yang ni rabbit yang satu lagi udang..wrapper dia also edible lah..kalau yang ni flavour dia milky skit yang udang tu pulak ada nutty taste..i prefer the 'udang' one..
Posted by aiie on 14-Jul-2003, 09:28 MYT

#4. Man, some of you sure had some vivid memories of this White Rabbit sweet. And I think it's a terrific candy because of those kind of memories you guys had.
Posted by Fairy on 13-Jul-2003, 11:32 MYT

#3. i could never eat the paper, somehow it really doesn't go well with my digestion system. Did feel like a loser at one time because I was the only who didn't eat the candy...sob, sob :'(
Posted by tasia's roomie on 13-Jul-2003, 03:04 MYT

#2. I remember when I was like 3 or 4, I got this candy for the first time. I tried to unwrap this candy, and got frustrated because I couldn't unwrap the inner "plastic" wrapper. So I just gave up, put the whole thing in my mouth and OMG, where did that "plastic" wrapper go?
Posted by rigs on 12-Jul-2003, 20:25 MYT

#1. Lot's of things are edible nowadays... hehehe
Posted by MK84 on 12-Jul-2003, 19:42 MYT

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