Chamoy Candy & Other Unusual Candy Flavors From Around The World
For many, spicy chamoy candy is considered weird and strange. Wait until they hear about these!
When people think of candy, they usually imagine a sugary explosion happening inside their mouths. In some parts of the world, however, candy doesn’t just translate to saccharine creations meant to satisfy our sweet tooth.
We should know! Chamoy is the most popular candy among Mexicans. That sweet, yet tangy, but also sour and spicy flavor just makes our taste buds tingle with anticipation. You might be so confused by the idea of candy being hot, but did you know weird candy can be found all over the world?
Today, we bring you the weirdest candy flavors you’ve probably never even heard of before, starting with our favorite, of course: chamoy.
1. Chamoy Candy
Tastes like: Sweet, sour, tangy and spicy
Country of Origin: Mexico
Here at Sophia’s Spicy Treats, we’re candy lovers at heart. Whenever someone asks us about our favorite candy, it might feel like they’re asking who our favorite child is (it’s Sophia, of course). Thankfully, candy has no ears and we can confidently say that our favorite candy is chamoy candy—we’re Mexican after all!
There is nothing more addictive than chamoy candy, one of Mexico’s most popular treats. This national culinary staple is characterized by its tasty versatility and the craft behind its unique spike: a mix of sweet, sour, tangy and spicy flavors made with only natural ingredients.
Chamoy candy is also found in different consistencies, from liquid or chamoy sauce, to chamoy paste, and even in powder form.
Since it’s not too spicy, nor too sweet, chamoy was naturally added to practically any candy. In Mexico you can find chamoy flavored lollipops, but also chamoy powder and chamoy sauce to dip your sucker in, for example.
By far, most international candy connoisseurs are very intrigued by Lucas Salsaghetti Chamoy: watermelon, mango or sour flavored gummy noodles, sprinkled with chamoy powder and tamarind sauce.
Shop Sophia’s Spicy Treats chamoy candy here.
2. Wasabi Kit Kat
Tastes like: Boldly sweet and spicy
Country of Origin: Japan
Japanese are famous for proudly adding their unique regional flavors to all foreign candy that comes into their country. Such is the case for Kit Kat, the chocolate-covered wafer bar confection with unimaginable varieties exclusive to Japan.
Wasabi Kit Kats might be a weird candy choice for us abroad but it’s actually a favorite snack among locals and curious tourists. Here, high-quality wasabi powder is sprinkled onto white chocolate wafers, covered in pale-green white chocolate.
Who would’ve thought that the spicy, sinus-clearing that comes with your sushi would pair perfectly with chocolate?
3. BBQ PayDay Bar
Tastes like: Smoky, sweet and savory
Country of Origin: United States
The American tradition of barbecuing is strong. In fact, Food & Wine’s top three BBQ destinations are here in Texas, where Sophia’s Spicy Treats is from.
Nothing could possibly stop some good patriotic pride from creating the quintessential American candy bar: PayDay “Flavor of Texas BBQ.” Usually made with a caramel-nougat center surrounded by salted peanuts, this weird candy bar is also coated with a barbecue seasoning blend.
Spicy, smoky and sweet, this bar surprisingly tastes awesome, despite the grill it received when it was first introduced to the market in 2017.
Creativity didn’t stop there. In fact, that same year the Hershey Company rolled out special editions of their most popular candy under the theme “Taste of America”: Kit Kat (California; strawberry), Reese’s (Georgia; honey roasted), Hershey’s Kisses (Hawaii; coconut almond), Hershey’s (New York; cherry cheesecake) and Twizzlers (Florida, key lime pie and orange cream pop).
If you ever come across one in the gas station, buy it—we promise it won’t disappoint you!
4. Pickle Candy Canes
Tastes like: Dill-like
Country of Origin: China
If you’re anything like us, you love everything pickle-flavored: spicy pickles, chamoy pickles, thinly sliced on our burger, even eating them plain as a healthy snack. You can imagine our surprise and excitement when we found out that pickle candy canes exist.
Food and treats are the first thing everyone thinks of when it comes to the holidays. There is always someone who wants to add a new spin to something good, especially when it comes to food or candy, and candy canes are no exception.
Candy canes are one of the most iconic winter treats and, without a doubt, this weird candy flavor definitely puts a fun twist on a holiday treat!
Shop Sophia’s Spicy Treats pickle kits here.
5. Thrills Gum
Tastes like: Soap
Country of Origin: Canada
In recent years, bubble gum flavors have adopted unusual flavors, but we have yet to see anything quite like Thrills. This retro Canadian gum has a distinctive floral rosewater flavor that tastes like… soap?!
Just like the packaging of this weird candy confirms that every purple nugget in this packet “still tastes like soap!” in case anyone forgot. Actually, the Thrills manufacturer, O-Pee-Chee Gum Company, supplied Canadians with all sorts of perfumed sweets back in the 50s and 60s.
Thrills is still available and has its distinct flavor to thank for its unusual fanbase. If you happen to convert from mint to the acquired taste of soap, at least you won’t have to worry about sharing with others anymore.
6. Vegemite Chocolate
Tastes like: Sweet and savory
Country of Origin: Australia
A 2022 study found that chocolate is the preferred candy in America. And who doesn’t love the feeling of a chocolate milk bar melting in their mouths, the bold taste of dark chocolate or the buttery texture of white chocolate?
Back in 2015, the Australian branch of the British multinational confectionery company, Cadbury, announced a limited edition flavor exclusive to Aussies: Cadbury Dairy Milk Bar with Vegemite.
Vegemite is a thick, dark brown Australian food spread made from leftover brewers’ yeast extract with various vegetable and spice additives that’s usually spread over toast. In essence, vegemite has a flavor that you either love or hate.
To many people’s surprise, the novel chocolate bar flavor was received with mixed reviews. A Twitter (aka X) user described the bar tasting like “filled with caramel with a hint of Vegemite taste, similar to salted caramel, rather than filled entirely with the salty, yeasty spread.”
Even though this weird candy bar is now discontinued, its limited supply auctioned on eBay for hundreds of dollars between 2015 and 2017. An unopened vegemite chocolate bar could cost you a whopping $500 dollar bill!
