Buzz
Candy has a unique ability to unite people, and nearly everyone agrees it’s one of life’s simple joys. While preferences for the best type may vary, there’s no denying that candy is universally delightful and sometimes even essential.
Some candies might seem bizarre or unusual to many, but in certain cultures, they’ve been beloved treats since childhood. Explore these fascinating confections and decide for yourself whether they’re ingenious or just plain odd.
10. Lamb Caramels
In Hokkaido, “Genghis Khan” refers to a local delicacy featuring shredded mutton barbecue. This traditional meal is cooked on a skillet, with lamb grilled at the center and vegetables surrounding it. While the dish sounds appetizing, would it translate well into candy form?
In 2002, the owner of Sapporo Gourmet Foods introduced Genghis Khan Caramel Candy. Initially marketed as a sauce, the product struggled to gain traction. A rebranding effort transformed it into a flavored candy. This unique treat combines lamb curry flavor with a touch of sweetness. Each box contains 18 individually wrapped caramels, making it a quirky (and gag-worthy) gift option for loved ones.
9. Salsagheti
Salsagheti might sound like a playful twist on spaghetti, but it’s actually a Mexican candy featuring spicy, straw-like treats. Unlike pasta, Salsagheti is sweet, sour, and designed to be eaten by hand. These watermelon-flavored gummy tubes are coated with chili-tamarind powder and sugar crystals, accompanied by a tamarind sauce that mimics salsa. When drizzled over the candy, it creates a spaghetti-like appearance.
This quirky candy is a hit across Mexico and has also gained popularity in other countries. The spaghetti-shaped treat is a staple at birthday parties and festive events. Salsagheti even made an appearance on Tastemade as part of a unique watermelon dish, which included cucumbers, mango, and various Mexican candies. Who could have guessed that spicy, watermelon-flavored candy resembling spaghetti would become such a sensation?
8. Kitten Tongue Chocolate
Kocici Jazycky, meaning “Kitten Tongues,” is a beloved Czech candy that might sound unappetizing at first. However, these treats are simply sweet, milky chocolate bars shaped like kitten tongues, free from any odd textures or flavors.
First produced in Vienna in 1892, these kitten tongue-shaped chocolates gained popularity in the Czech Republic during the 1920s and 1930s. The packaging features adorable images of fluffy kittens alongside the tongue-shaped bars. While the concept may seem unusual, the candy is purely a delightful chocolate experience. If you enjoy candies that are both cute and delicious, this one is a must-try!
7. Botan Rice Candy
If you enjoy candy but dislike unwrapping it, Botan Rice Candy is perfect for you. This soft, chewy treat, flavored with lemon and orange, comes wrapped in edible rice paper. While the wrapper is safe to eat, the real star is the jelly-like cubed candy inside.
Packaged in a movie theater-style box, this candy appeals to kids and includes collectible stickers featuring whimsical designs like ninjas, dogs, a bunny on a computer, and a squirrel on a mushroom. The candy is mildly sweet and slightly sticky, but its standout feature is the edible wrapper. Available at various online retailers in the United States, it’s a unique treat for candy enthusiasts.
6. Chocolate Bar With Cheese And Onion Crisps
Tayto, an Irish snack company established in 1956, is renowned for its crisps and other snacks. The brand claims that one in every five crisp packets consumed in Northern Ireland is their Cheese & Onion flavor. In a bold move, Tayto introduced a unique creation: a milk chocolate bar embedded with cheese and onion crisps.
This limited-edition chocolate bar contained pieces of their iconic crisps. The unusual combination sparked mixed reviews, with many critics finding the cheese and onion flavor overwhelming. Why pair such savory flavors with chocolate? Unfortunately, this quirky treat was a limited release, so fans must now settle for their classic crisps instead.
5. Musk Sticks
What resembles bubblegum toothpaste and has a perfume-like flavor? Musk sticks, naturally! This peculiar candy, adored by many Australians and New Zealanders, might not appeal to everyone. Musk sticks are pink, gelatin-based cylinders coated in icing sugar and infused with a musk-like essence.
The candy slowly dissolves in the mouth, often evoking the taste of strong cologne. An Australian baker shared a blog post where a woman described the candy as “tasting like the scent of elderly women at a bus stop, yet oddly pleasant.” While its appeal is baffling, musk sticks have remained popular in Australia for over a century. Woolworths alone sells approximately 24 million musk sticks annually. If the flavor doesn’t entice you, they could double as an air freshener.
4. Creamy Corn Candy
Corn is versatile, used in countless dishes and recipes. Creamed corn is a beloved preparation, but Victory Creamy Corn Candy is not among the recommended ways to enjoy corn. Don’t confuse it with the beloved Candy Corn—this treat is in a league of its own.
The candy’s packaging boasts, “Tastes So Smooth, Tastes So Rich,” but creamed corn in candy form might not live up to the claim of tasting great. This unusual Malaysian candy promises a perfect mix of smoothness and richness with a lingering aroma and flavor. If you’re ever in the mood for a hint of Thanksgiving, give Creamy Corn Candy a try!
3. Lightning Bug Gummies
For a candy that’s both tasty and entertaining, Lightning Bug Gummies are the way to go. These small gummy treats light up, though rest assured, no real lightning bugs are involved. The strangeness lies in how they work, not their ingredients.
Each bag includes gummies shaped like bugs and a pair of tweezers with a built-in battery and LED light. Place a gummy bug in the tweezers, squeeze, and watch it light up. The gummies are flavorful, and the novelty is sure to entertain both kids and adults for hours.
2. Salt Licorice
Not all candies are sweet. In Northern Europe, salmiakki, or salted black licorice, is a beloved treat. Known as salmiak, this candy has a sharp, sour flavor that many in Finland, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands grow up enjoying and continue to love as adults. Salmiakki is soft licorice infused with ammonium chloride, giving it a uniquely salty taste.
Salt licorice comes in both hard and soft varieties and is often used to flavor ice cream, soda, and liquor. For newcomers, milder versions are available, while other options range from moderately salty to intensely potent. While some manufacturers claim the candy is delicious and addictive, it’s more of an acquired taste.
1. Percy Pig
Produced by the British retailer Marks & Spencer, Percy Pig is a widely adored gummy candy in the UK. While gummies are typically delightful, these sweets have an unusual twist: Percy Pigs are made with pork gelatin, giving them a unique composition despite their familiar appearance.
These adorable gummy pigs might seem unsettling once you know their ingredients. However, the raspberry-flavored treats have a massive fan base. Exclusively available at Marks & Spencer, they now come in various flavors and products, such as Veggie Percy, Phizzy Pig Tails, Percy Pig and Pals, and Globetrotting Percy. The brand has expanded to include Percy Pig-themed linens, calendars, party supplies, and mugs.
