Ever wondered what candy was like when it was flavored like a pickle? Or a lollipop with a real scorpion inside? If you’re a daring, adventurous consumer of new and unusual flavors and experiences, you may have a sugary good time today! Why? Because we’re plummeting down the rabbit hole of strange candy, a disconcerting, sometimes comedic, always mesmerizing universe where sweet collides with bizarre in the most unlikely of circumstances.
Novelty candy has become a fun and unique gift in recent years, appealing not just to your daring eaters but to your quirky gifters, too. Be it for a gag present, a dare among friends, or the simple pleasure of testing out new things, these candies have licked their way into our hearts (and occasionally, somewhat begrudgingly, our stomachs). Let’s dive deeper into the weirdness of candy and see what the weirdest, most eccentric candy flavors the world has to offer!
What Makes Candy Weird?
Not all candy is made to the same standards of shock and awe; some will tantalize, while others will disorient (or terrify). But what precisely qualifies as weird candy?
Strange Flavors
Think pickle, bacon, wasabi, burnt rice — flavors that sound more like a wayward workshop experiment than an actual dessert. But when you take a bite, your brain might be confused as to whether it’s delicious or merely disturbing.
Unusual Ingredients
Have you ever eaten candy with genuine genuine insects such as scorpions, locusts, worms inside? How about one of caramel candy seasoned with cuttlefish, black garlic, or even fermented soybeans? The weird category is definitely when you buy candy and you do a double take at the ingredient list.
Odd Textures
Some are sticky, gooey, chewy or powdery, while others dissolve in your mouth at an unnaturally fast rate. Have you ever bitten into something expecting crunch and got chewiness and squish instead? Yes, that’s strange candy territory.
Cultural Differences
What’s weird to one culture is completely normal to another. Consider salty licorice, for example. In Scandinavia, it’s a beloved treat, but in the U.S. it’s often greeted with skepticism (or outright fear). Food is not the only thing to gain weight at the table: Asian markets also do a brisk trade in seafood-infused sweets that may shock an unprepared palate.
Now that we know what makes a candy special, let’s discover some of the strangest candy flavors in the world! Buckle up — it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
Top 10 Weird and Unique Candies from Around the World
1. Bacon-Flavored Lollipops (USA)
To be fair, nothing says ‘Murica! like a blend of two great loves like bacon and candy. These are smoky, slightly salty savory pops with a sugary finish. A bizarre yet pleasant experience if you like meat.
2. Pickle Candy Canes (USA)
As strange as it may sound, we have pickle candy canes! Despite the classic candy cane flavors being mint and peppermint, someone decided that dill pickles required their moment to shine in the holiday season. Spoiler alert: It’s quite tangy, briny, and certainly an acquired taste.
3. Scorpion Lollipops (Mexico)
The scorpion stares back as you suck on a lollipop. These sweet treats are more a dare than candy treat or a dessert, popular in Mexico. However, you have nothing to fear, the scorpions are safe for consumption if you have the guts.
4. Wasabi KitKats (Japan)
The candy in Japan goes to another level. Wasabi KitKats might sound like a joke, but the hot prickliness of wasabi plays well next to caramel and the sweetness of white chocolate. A sleeper hit among adventurous snackers!
5. Toxic Waste Slime Licker (USA)
This roll-on liquid candy is violently sour to the point that it could make a lemon cry. The extreme sweet tang is among most popular candies ever with kids, and it’s gone viral online, in part through TikTok challenges that feature sour face reactions.
6. Moomin Salmiak Licorice (Finland)
Salty licorice is a beloved candy snack that’s manufactured in Finland, but for outsiders, it’s a taste bud ambush. The addition of Moomin characters gives it a wholesome appearance but don’t be deceived: it’s salty and slightly bitter and a dizzying ride of sugar confusion.
7. Durian Candy (Thailand)
If you have not heard of Durian, then you are missing the king of fruits; it is a fruit infamous for its pungent aroma, compared to rotten onions and sweaty socks. If you love durian, you will love these candies. If you don’t, let’s just say, beware of falling.
8. Black Garlic Chocolate (South Korea)
Garlic fermented with chocolate? Surprisingly, it works! The chocolate’s sweetness counters the rich, umami depth of the black garlic, resulting in an unexpectedly pleasant (albeit still weird) treat.
9. Burnt Rice Candy (Asia)
Imagine how crisped up the soft bottom layer of basmati in a pot tastes in candy form. The sweet treat itself is smoky and nutty in flavor, yet oddly sweet tooth comforting — as if eating nostalgia.
10. Insect Protein Bars (Global)
If you thought protein bars were blah, think twice. The bars are made with ground-up crickets or mealworms to provide a sustainable (and surprisingly delicious) protein kick.
Why Do People Love Weird Kinds of Candy?
Let’s be honest — weird candy isn’t just candy, it’s an adventure. From chomping on scorpion lollipops to tasting pickle-flavored candy canes, people seem to have an abundance of love for these strange candy addicts. But why? So what is it about weird candy flavors so irresistible? Let’s break it down.
1. The Gift of Giggles
Weird candy is the best conversation starter. Do you think you can stomach a piece of ear wax candy or a durian candy bar? The look on their face? Priceless. These funny candy options are great for gag gifts, birthdays, or even just to liven up a boring Tuesday. They’re more than just treats; they’re memories in the making. And who doesn’t enjoy a present accompanied by a little hilarity?
2. The Thrill of the Unknown
Weird candies appeal to that sense of adventure because humans are, by nature, curious creatures. Accepting a cuttlefish-flavored candy or a wasabi KitKat is like a mini culinary gamble from the comfort of your sofa. It’s the candy equivalent of bungee jumping — thrilling, slightly dangerous, and completely worth it for the bragging rights.
3. Nostalgia and Humor
You know those childhood memories when you dared your friends to eat the sourest candy or a disgusting jelly bean flavor? Weird candy captures that same sense of fun and nostalgia. It isn’t simply the taste — it’s the shared experience. Whether you’re grossing out brothers and sisters or bonding with coworkers over toxic waste slime licker, these candies make for moments you’ll still be laughing about years later.
4. Collectible Coolness
For some, weird candy is more than a snack, it is borderline candy collectible. Limited-edition flavors, regional specialties, other flavors, and obscure candy from far away are edible treasures. It’s like Pokémon but for candy: gotta catch ’em all! From black garlic chocolate to burnt rice candy, these treats are just as much about the hunt as they are the taste.
5. Breaking the Monotony
Come on, sometimes, regular candy just doesn’t do it for you. Oh sure, chocolate bars rock candy, and gummy bears are great, but they don’t exactly bring you joy like a glow-in-the-dark lollipop or a spicy candy that lights your tongue on fire. Weird candy breaks the monotony and puts a little excitement in life. It is the culinary equivalent of showing up to a black-tie party in a neon pink suit — surprising, indelible, and totally fun.
6. The Instagram Factor
It’s an era of social media, after all — weird candy is basically made for the ‘gram. A picture of a scorpion lollipop or a durian candy bar will ensure likes, comments, and sometimes even a “WTF?!” reaction. It’s not simply candy — it’s content. And let’s face it, part of the fun is seeing your friends’ reactions when you share it.
The question is, why do we all love weird candy? It’s no big deal: it’s fun, it’s adventurous, and it’s a little rebellious. Whether you’re the type who enjoys an adrenaline rush, loves to prank, or simply likes to live on the edge, weird candy has something for every taste. Ready to join the craze? Grab a bag of the weirdest candy you can find and let the adventure begin!
And if you are looking to stock up on these one-of-a-kind candy options, make sure to check out our custom candy. Because life is too short for boring snacks!
The Best Places to Shop for Weird and Unique Candy
So here you are, all ready to dive into the weird, wild world of weird candy — but where do you even begin? Don’t fret, we’ve got you covered. Whatever you’re looking for — durian candy, burnt rice candy, or something even more obscure — here’s how to find the weirdest candy on the planet.
Online Retailers
The sweetest part about the internet is that it is a treasure trove of really unique candy flavors. There are websites like Amazon, Candy Warehouse, and Rocket Fizz full of weird candy flavors from all over. Scorpion lollipops or wasabi KitKats? A little bit of searching will get them delivered to your doorstep.
International Candy Stores
Hungry for the truly exotic? Try specialty sites such as Japan Candy Store, Mexican Candy Club, or British Corner Shop. These sites are great for finding obscure candy that you won’t get at your corner supermarket. From cuttlefish-flavored cotton candy, to salty licorice, the possibilities are endless.
Local Quirky Shops
If you plan to shop in person, seek out quirky candy shops near you. These specialty stores often carry funny candy and interesting candy that you can’t find at big-box stores. Plus, you also get the benefit of supporting local businesses.
Custom Candy Options
Looking for something truly unique? We will plan out a perfect batch of custom candy that makes you unique at MPS. Whether you’re a distributor, a retailer, or just a candy-lover, we can turn your weird candy dreams into a reality. Contact for FREE samples and let’s design something you’ll remember forever!
As long as you’re buying it, the world of weird candy of the internet is only a click (or a short drive) away. So, what are you waiting for? Begin your weird candy adventure today!
Conclusion
A world of weird candy has a lot of surprises, from bacon lollipops to jelly beans to insect protein bars. Whether you’re seeking a dare, a laugh, or a memorable gift, there’s something out there that will shock and delight your palate.
Feeling adventurous? Choose one of these crazy candies and let us know which one rocked your world! And if you’re a distributor or retailer and need to bulk up your selection, contact us — We are a candy factory located in China with more than 20 years of candy manufacturing experience, support OEM/ODM.We want to partner with you to develop the next big weird thing in candy!
