The Most Bizzare Candy In The World
As you already know, candy is often associated with sweet, pleasurable treats that bring joy and satisfaction. But not all candies fit this traditional mold. Around the globe, adventurous confectioners have pushed the boundaries of taste, texture, and creativity, crafting candies that are not just unusual but downright bizarre.
These peculiar sweets challenge our perceptions and invite us to explore flavors and ingredients that are far from ordinary. So in this article, we will take you on a journey into the world of the most bizarre candies ever created and uncover the stories behind these eccentric confections while exploring what makes them so strangely appealing.
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1. Edible Insects: The Creep Factor
When it comes to bizarre candies, one of the most unsettling but still fascinating categories involves those made with real insects. For many, the thought of eating bugs is enough to send shivers down their spine. However, in some cultures, insects are a regular part of the diet. Candymakers have tapped into this unique niche, offering edible insect candies that are both creepy and intriguing.
Crickets, Scorpions, and Ants: A Crunchy Treat
Candies based on insects usually feature whole crickets, scorpions, or ants encased in sugar or chocolate. Often marketed as novelty items, these candies are perfect for daring foodies or as gag gifts. For example, chocolate-covered ants have a surprisingly nutty flavor, while crickets and scorpions add a crunchy texture to the candy experience.
Cultural Significance
In many parts of the world, particularly Asia and Africa, insects are a traditional source of protein. By incorporating them into candy, these cultures are not only preserving their culinary heritage but also introducing it to a global audience.
The rise in popularity of edible insect candies can also be attributed to the growing interest in sustainable and eco-friendly food sources, as insects are much less resource-intensive to farm than traditional livestock.
You should also check out the National Geographic article 11 Daring Dishes to Eat.
2. Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans: From Fiction to Reality
If you are a fan of Harry Potter movies (or books), you might be familiar with Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans; the magical jelly beans that come in every imaginable flavor, both enjoyable and disgusting.
What started as a fictional candy in J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world has become a real-life product that challenges even the bravest candy lovers.
The Wildest Flavors
The Jelly Belly company has created a line of jelly beans with flavors ranging from earwax and vomit to soap and dirt. While some flavors are indeed pleasant, like cherry and lemon, the thrill of trying a bean and not knowing if it will taste like rotten egg or chocolate pudding is what makes this candy truly bizarre.
The Experience
Eating Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans is more about the experience than the taste. It’s a game of chance, where each bite could either amaze your taste buds or make you gag. This unpredictability has made these jelly beans a favorite at parties and among those who enjoy a good prank.
3. Wasabi and Sriracha Chocolate: Spicy Meets Sweet
Chocolate is usually associated with sweetness, but some innovative candy makers and chocolatiers have decided to take it in a completely different direction by adding spicy ingredients like wasabi and sriracha.
Wasabi Chocolate: A Fiery Kick
Wasabi, the pungent green paste often served with sushi, is known for its intense heat and sharp flavor. Incorporating wasabi into chocolate creates a candy that delivers a surprising burst of spice followed by the smooth sweetness of chocolate. The contrast between the fiery wasabi and the rich chocolate is what makes this candy so unique and bizarre.
Sriracha Chocolate: A Hot Sensation
Sriracha, a popular hot sauce made from chili peppers, vinegar, garlic, sugar, and salt, has also found its way into chocolate bars. The result is a candy that combines the tangy heat of sriracha with the creamy sweetness of chocolate, creating a flavor profile that is both unexpected and oddly satisfying.
Make sure to also check out World's Hottest Candy!
4. Bacon-Flavored Candy: A Savory Surprise
Although bacon has long been a beloved food, its flavor has crossed over into the world of sweets, resulting in some truly strange and surprising candies.
Bacon Lollipops and Bacon Chocolate
Bacon-flavored lollipops and chocolate bars have gained a following among those who love the combination of sweet and savory. These candies typically feature real bacon bits or bacon flavoring, adding a salty, smoky taste to the sugary treat. The idea of combining bacon with candy may seem bizarre, but the contrast of flavors has proven to be a hit with many adventurous eaters.
The Appeal
The popularity of bacon-flavored candy can be attributed to the growing trend of combining sweet and savory flavors in the culinary world. While it may not be for everyone, those who enjoy the taste of bacon in their candy often find it to be an addictive and joyful surprise.
5. Black Licorice: Love It or Hate It
Being one of those polarizing candies that people either love or hate, black licorice has a strong, distinct flavor, derived from the root of the licorice plant. It sets it apart from other candies and is the main reason why black licorice is on the list of bizarre sweets.
The Unique Flavor Profile
Black licorice has a complex flavor that is both sweet and slightly bitter, with hints of anise and molasses. This unusual taste can be off-putting to some, but for others, it is a beloved treat. In countries like Finland, the Netherlands, and Sweden, black licorice is very popular, and there are even variations that include salty or spicy flavors.
Health Benefits
Interestingly, licorice root has been used for centuries in traditional medicine for some of its health benefits, including soothing sore throats and aiding digestion. However, consuming large amounts of black licorice can have negative health effects, which makes it a candy that should be enjoyed in moderation.
Durian Candy: The Smell That Divides
Often called the “king of fruits”, durian is infamous for its strong, pungent smell, which some describe as a mix of rotten onions, turpentine, and raw sewage. Despite its off-putting odor, durian is a popular fruit in Southeast Asia, and its unique flavor has been captured in a variety of candies.
The Taste and Aroma
Durian candy retains the fruit’s distinctive flavor and aroma, making it a divisive treat. Some people are drawn to its custard-like texture and quite complex taste, while others are repelled by the smell alone. Durian candy is often sold as hard candies or chewy taffy, and it’s a common souvenir for tourists visiting countries where durian is a staple.
A Love-It-Or-Hate-It Experience
Pretty much like the fruit itself, durian candy is something that people either love or hate. For those willing to brave the smell, candy offers a taste of experience unlike any other, making it one of the most bizarre sweets in the world.
7. Salmiakki: The Salty Licorice
Known as the salty licorice, salmiakki is a candy that comes from Scandinavia and the Netherlands. It’s made with ammonium chloride, which gives it a salty, almost medicinal flavor that can be shocking to those unfamiliar with it.
A Scandinavian Staple
In Scandinavian countries such as Finland, salmiakki is a beloved treat. Not only that, but there are countless variations, such as salmiakki-flavored ice cream, vodka, and even cigarettes. However, for those outside of these regions, the taste of salty licorice can be quite bizarre and challenging.
The Bizarre Appeal
The combination of salt and sweetness in salmiakki creates an entirely unique flavor profile. It may not be for everyone’s taste, but those who enjoy it often become passionate fans, seeking out new and unusual variations of this distinctive candy.
8. Candy with Odd Textures: From Squishy to Crunchy
Some bizarre candies are more about texture than flavor. These confections offer a sensory experience that goes beyond taste and engages the eater with unusual and unexpected textures.
Squishy Gummies and Marshmallows
Gummies and marshmallows are already known for their soft, squishy texture, but some candy makers have taken this to the extreme. For example, Japanese mochi candy features a chewy, sticky rice cake exterior with a sweet filling inside, creating a texture that is both soft and slightly elastic. Similarly, some marshmallow candies are infused with flavors like green tea or filled with jelly, adding an extra layer of surprise.
Popping Candy: A Fizzy Sensation
Popping candy, also known as Pop Rocks, is a classic example of a candy that offers a bizarre texture experience. These small, hard candies contain carbon dioxide gas, which causes them to fizz and pop in your mouth, creating a sensation that is both strange and pleasant.
9. Gross-Out Gummies: Creepy Crawly Candy
Gummy candies come in a wide rainbow of shapes and flavors, but some of the most bizarre are those designed to look like creepy crawlies or other unappetizing things.
Gummy Worms, Spiders, and Eyeballs
Gummy worms are a classic example of a gross-out candy, but they are far from the only ones. Gummy spiders, centipedes, and even eyeballs have become popular, especially around Halloween. These candies play on our natural aversion to certain creatures, making them both fun and a little unsettling to eat.
The Fun Factor
Despite their creepy appearances, gross-out gummies are often enjoyed by both kids and adults for their novelty value. They make great party favors or Halloween treats, adding a touch of bizarre fun to any candy collection.
10. Century Egg Candy: A Taste of Tradition
The century egg, also known as a hundred-year egg or preserved egg, is a traditional Chinese delicacy made by preserving duck, chicken, or quail eggs in a mixture of clay, ash, salt, quicklime, and rice hulls for several weeks to months. While the egg itself is an acquired taste, it has inspired a line of candies that mimic its unique flavor.
A Candy with a Cult Following
Century egg candies are typically hard or jelly-like and infused with the same pungent, slightly sulfuric taste that characterizes the original eggs. These candies are often seen as a novelty or a daring snack, and they have a cult following among those who appreciate the unusual and the traditional.
A True Delicacy
Much like the century egg itself, these candies are not for the faint of heart. However, they provide a fascinating glimpse into the culinary traditions of East Asia and offer a bizarrely enjoyable way to experience a taste of history.
11. Pickle Candy: A Sour Surprise
Pickles are a polarizing food, beloved by some and loathed by others. However, the idea of pickle-flavored candy takes this division to a whole new level.
The Flavor Profile
Pickle candy typically comes in the form of hard candies, lollipops, or gummies, all infused with the briny, vinegary taste of a classic dill pickle. The combination of sour, salty, and slightly sweet flavors creates a taste experience that is truly bizarre and unexpected.
The Pickle Craze
The popularity of pickle-flavored products has surged in recent years, with pickle-flavored chips, popcorn, and even ice cream hitting the market. Pickle candy is a natural extension of this trend, offering pickle enthusiasts a new way to enjoy their favorite flavor. While it may not appeal to everyone, those who love pickles often find this candy to be a quirky and satisfying treat.
Conclusion
The world of candy is huge and diverse, with something to satisfy every palate - even those seeking the most bizarre and unusual treats. From insect-infused sweets to spicy chocolates, salty licorice, and durian candy, these strange confections challenge our expectations and offer a taste of the unconventional.
Whether you are an adventurous eater or simply curious, exploring the world of bizarre candies is a journey that’s sure to surprise and amaze. So the next time you’re in the mood for something different, why not try one of these eccentric treats? You might just discover a new favorite - or at the very least, a story to tell.
You might also be interested in the Most Unique Candy from Around the World; make sure to check it out!