GummyTalk Forum

Hey everyone, need some advice! I've been giving my kids melatonin gummies to help with bedtime (pediatrician approved, don't worry!). We tried the cherry flavor from Nature's Zzz and they LOVE it - like, ask for it as a treat love it. But we also got the orange flavor from the same brand and... yuck. They refuse to eat it, says it tastes like medicine. Now I need to reorder but don't want to waste money on another dud. What's the consensus on the 'best' melatonin gummy flavor out there? Looking for something that actually tastes good, not just 'gummy bear' flavored.

Interesting question! From a formulation perspective, cherry flavors often use benzaldehyde derivatives which mimic natural cherry compounds - kids tend to recognize that flavor profile. Orange flavors can vary wildly between brands - some use limonene extracts (which can have that 'medicinal' aftertaste you mentioned) while others use more complex terpene blends. Have you considered berry blends? Many brands use mixed berry formulations that combine raspberry, blueberry, and strawberry compounds - the synergy often creates a more palatable profile. Also check the sugar alcohols used - maltitol vs erythritol can affect flavor perception significantly.

Dude, I feel you on the orange flavor struggle! I actually started making my own melatonin gummies after getting tired of the weird aftertastes. For store-bought, I'd recommend trying the strawberry-lemonade from SleepWell - it's got a nice balance. But honestly, if you're up for it, DIY is the way to go! I use gelatin, a little honey, natural flavor extracts (I get mine from a brewing supply store), and melatonin powder. My current batch is watermelon-mint and it's bomb. You can customize flavors exactly how you want, and it's way cheaper per serving.

Thanks for the input! @BioBob202 - that science breakdown actually helps me understand why the orange was so bad. Berry blend sounds promising, I'll look for those. @VitalVince860 - DIY sounds cool but I'm a busy mom of three, I need something ready-to-go! Strawberry-lemonade does sound good though. Anyone tried the grape flavors? My kids love grape juice so that might work...

Grape flavors typically use methyl anthranilate compounds - they're generally well-tolerated by children's palates. One study I read (small sample size, but interesting) showed 78% preference for grape over citrus variants in pediatric sleep aids. If you go that route, I'd suggest avoiding brands that use artificial purple coloring (Red 40/Blue 1 combos) as some kids are sensitive. Look for brands using fruit and vegetable extracts for color if that's a concern. The SleepWell strawberry-lemonade Vince mentioned uses stevia as sweetener, which might affect taste perception if your kids are used to sugar-sweetened gummies.