Crunchy Mamaz: Classic candy gets a crunchy makeover [Video]

SANTA ROSA, Calif. — Arianna Stratford and Jeanette Smylie started Crunchy Mamaz to share their tasty, fun, freeze-dried candy with their community.

“People are very excited about it,” Crunchy Mamaz co-owner Jeanette Smylie says. “It is a craze.”

Popular chewy, gummy candies like Skittles and peach rings are transformed into light and crunchy treats.

“It kind of messes with someone’s mind to have the same flavor, but a completely different texture,” Smylie says.

The freeze-drying process is straightforward.

“The trays are being heated up and then, the vacuum pulls all the moisture out, so it makes something small get larger and crunchier,” co-owner Arianna Stratford explains.

The idea to make freeze-dried candy came after Stratford tried it for the first time at a farmer’s market.

“My friend posted that she had freeze-dried candy, and it was exciting for her,” Smylie says.

The two purchased their first freeze-dryer.

“Thinking we’d pay back the machine selling the candy at the little league,” Stratford says.

The duo was …