Every country has its own iconic sweets, but some American candies are just out of this world. With unusual flavors and unexpected textures, these 16 bizarre treats often leave outsiders baffled—or even disgusted. From bacon-flavored taffy to pickle candy canes, these sweets push the boundaries of what most people consider a treat. Love them or hate them, they’re undeniably unique. Would you dare to try them, or would you stick to the classics?
Note: The content of this article does not reflect the Writer's personal beliefs.
Tootsie rolls
We spent most of our childhood chasing down these brown cylindrical candies, but we only realized their poor taste once we grew up.
Although tootsie rolls are incredibly popular, their mild flavor can be upsetting for people who love chocolate. Tootsie rolls are pretty chewy and harden the longer they age, so people are forced to chew hard, ruining the experience.
Cherry Mash
Kids typically avoid cherry mash, which tells us everything we need. Cherry mash is incredibly off-putting for some because of its unique flavor combination.
The red-colored candies are coated in chocolate, fooling many into eating them. A cherry filling awaits people, who are primarily disappointed when they realize the candy isn’t all chocolate.
Milk duds
This candy bears an uncanny resemblance to tootsie rolls, although milk duds contain a sweet caramel filling.
Unfortunately, the filling isn’t always soft and can harden as the candy ages. Its tough exterior makes it difficult to chew and readily sticks to the teeth, so people with dental issues should seriously avoid it at all costs.
Lemonheads
Only people who like unusually sour things find Lemonheads delicious since their incredibly sour and tangy core can upset others.
Lemonheads are hard and small, so it’s easy to choke on them. This danger alone decreases its popularity, but its intense tart taste can linger on the tongue and make other foods taste unpleasant, too.
Necco wafers
If you’ve ever been tempted to eat chalk, you might want to try Necco wafers because their pasty appearance and chalky taste are remarkably similar.
Necco wafers come in various flavors, but they all taste the same. The favors are hard to bite and take a while to digest, so they’re not exactly a people's favorite. Additionally, Necco wafers lack taste, much to people’s chagrin.
Circus peanuts
Circus peanuts are definitely one of the weirdest American candies. These marshmallow-like candies have a sweet flavor but taste like a cross between a banana and a rubber block. The contrasting difference in flavor can be incredibly off-putting for people, especially those comparing it with marshmallows. Plus, the spongy texture is seriously offputting.
Candy corn
Seeing candy corn on the list is ironic because this vibrantly-colored candy is commonly spotted on television shows and movies. You would think that it was popular.
Despite their Hollywood-esque popularity, candy corn is among the most hated sweets. These bright-colored candies have a waxy appearance and taste like you’re biting into a honey-flavored wax candle.
Zotz
Zotz is a cross between fizzy and sweet, so that it might excite some kids, but most tend to stay away from this candy.
This food fools people for a few seconds because its hard exterior initially tastes sweet. But the minute you crack into its center, a sudden rush of tanginess overpowers your taste buds. Zotz's tartness is often overwhelming, and so many dislike it.
Red Hots
Red Hots are laced with cinnamon and spices and have a hot center. Our tongues barely have a minute to react to the thin frame of sweetness before the fiery hotness of the candy paralyzes them. Most people want to eat candy, not breath fire, which is why Red Hots are not very popular.
Mary Janes
No, we’re not talking about the popular Marvel character here, although these candies are equally unique.
Mary Janes is a combination of peanut butter and molasses. This unique flavor combination doesn’t sit well with most people, so the candies are left behind. Those who dare to try Mary Jane immediately regret their decision because it’s simply too sweet.
Black licorice
Americans unanimously hate black licorice, so we still don’t understand how they’re still appearing on the shelves.
Black licorice tastes nothing like candies. The dark, twisted candy is made with anise, a cumin-like seed typically used in savory foods and teas. The off-putting flavor is hard to digest and chew, so most people avoid it like the plague.
Black Jack Chewing Gum
This American sweet is the worst and the stupidest because it exclusively comes in a flavor Americans have rejected over the years: black licorice.
Black Jack chewing gum is a spicy bubblegum flavored with anise. Although most chewing gums lose their flavor as you chew, Black Jack is one of the few that retains it, making it even worse.
Smarties
Smarties are little round, colored sugar candies that are rolled up in a stack and given out at almost every single birthday party or school event. But you are only smart if you avoid eating Smarties. They taste like chalk and also look like pills.
Who is giving these awful-looking candies to kids?! We wish this American candy would disappear forever.
Dots
Nobody ever willingly reaches for a pack of Dots. They are the candy you eat when you have no other choice and just need sugar. Dots taste extremely artificial and have no real appeal. They are heavily dyed and get stuck in your teeth almost instantly. You may need to see a dentist after eating a pack of Dots because you surely will have cavities.
Hershey Bar
A Hershey's Chocolate bar is just a stick of super sugary chocolate. It isn't even real dark chocolate but milk chocolate that has almost no flavor. Where did the chocolate taste go? We aren't so sure. But we do know that Americans who like basic Hershey's chocolate bars probably have zero taste buds.
Warheads
Warheads are hard candy that is insanely sour—so sour that they actually hurt your tongue. Foreigners can't understand why Americans want to eat these painful candies. They seriously do cause a war in your mouth!
This article was first published at Spatula Desserts.
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