I love a good pack of H-E-B tortillas, which taste best straight out of the store's heating box that radiates a warm, comforting heat to maintain the freshness. If you're like me, you could also eat one or two for a midnight sack because they are just that good.
When I learned that the Texas chain grocery store came out with a candle that reflects the exact flavor of their famous baked good, I honestly wasn't surprised one bit because I'm a Texan and I know the store is full of random Lone Star State-inspired items.
People love the smell of the tortillas in the shop's famous tortilleria area.
I was, however, incredibly intrigued at how its smell would carry inside of people's houses. To me, it was always something you enjoy getting a whiff of during a shopping trip and that's it.
Also, I'm a candle fiend and love all sorts of smells, so I figure why the hell not, let me try burning it.
The Experience
Firstly, of course, I had to take advantage of H-E-B's delivery service powered by Favor. I ordered the item on the mobile app at 4 p.m. and literally had it delivered right to my doorstep.
You can't smell a thing on the outside, but my puppy couldn't get enough of sniffing it to the point I had to hide it in the cabinet until I was ready to use it.
I got a 14 oz candle, and it cost $12.36. It came with two wicks, which is always a plus for me as there's usually only one.
It wasn't an intense smell immediately like others I've burned, but after giving it 30 minutes I started to notice how overwhelming the salty, rich flavor of butter began permeating the space.
The Verdict
I was hoping it would keep the integrity of the floury smell like the scent of the warming box at the store, but nope. Not at all.
It's sad to say, but the candle makes my house smell like a movie theater that just popped a fresh batch of popcorn. Where's the comforting floury smell? Where are the notes of starchy, baked goods?
The H-E-B Butter Tortilla candle burning.Brittany Cristiano | Narcity
According to the candle's description, it's supposed to make you feel "nostalgic" for favorite items from the grocer. Instead, when I closed my eyes for just a second it felt like I was actually at the Cinemark concession stand instead of my living room.
I had high hopes. I really did — I don't think H-E-B can miss with their products, but this candle isn't deserving of saying it reminds people of their famous tortillas.
I know there's a place for this candle flavor in someone's heart, just not in mine. Probably someone who's obsessed with butter.
Nevertheless, I'm excited to try the other choices from the Flavor Favorites collection like Mango Chamoy or Texas Sweet Tea.