When it comes to the 10 strangest candies on the planet, the world of sweets proves it can be wildly inventive, surprising, and sometimes downright baffling.
10 strangest candies: Why These Stand Out
10 Lamb Caramels
Up in Hokkaido, the dish known as “Genghis Khan” features shredded mutton barbecued on a sizzling skillet, surrounded by vegetables. Imagine that savory, smoky flavor translated into a candy – would it work?
Back in 2002, Sapporo Gourmet Foods’ owner took a chance, turning the concept into a caramel that mimics lamb curry with a subtle sweetness. Originally marketed as a sauce, the product flopped, prompting a rebrand as a novelty confection. Each box holds 18 individually wrapped caramels, making them perfect (and hilarious) gag gifts for friends and family.
9 Salsagheti
Don’t let the name fool you – Salsagheti isn’t a pasta dish, but a Mexican candy made of long, watermelon‑flavored gummy strands dusted in chili‑tamarind powder and sugar crystals. The package even includes a tamarind sauce that you drizzle over the “noodles” to achieve a true spaghetti look.
This playful treat is a hit at Mexican birthday parties and celebrations, and it’s even been featured on Tastemade’s crazy watermelon dish, where it shared the spotlight with cucumbers, mango, and other Mexican sweets. Its blend of sweet, sour, and spicy makes it a crowd‑pleaser far beyond its home country.
8 Kitten Tongue Chocolate
The Czech confection Kocici Jazycky translates to “Kitten Tongues,” a name that might raise eyebrows. Expecting something odd, you’ll instead find milky‑sweet chocolate bars molded into the shape of a cat’s tongue.
First crafted in Vienna in 1892, these treats surged in popularity throughout the 1920s and ’30s across the Czech lands. Their packaging showcases adorable kittens alongside the tongue‑shaped chocolates, turning a curious name into a charming, bite‑sized delight. If you love cute, cuddly sweets, this one’s a must‑try – purr‑fectly delicious!
7 Botan Rice Candy
Ever wished you could skip the hassle of peeling candy wrappers? Botan Rice Candy invites you to munch the wrapper itself. Each soft, lemon‑or orange‑flavored cube is encased in a thin, edible rice‑paper sheet.
The candy arrives in a cinema‑style box that also includes collectible stickers – think ninjas, dogs, a bunny on a computer, and even a squirrel perched on a mushroom. While the wrapper is perfectly safe to eat, you can simply enjoy the chewy jelly cube if you prefer. Available through several U.S. online retailers, this novelty candy is both sweet and mildly tangy, with a hint of stickiness.
6 Chocolate Bar With Cheese And Onion Crisps
Irish snack legend Tayto, known for its iconic cheese‑and‑onion crisps since 1956, once ventured into uncharted territory with a milk‑chocolate bar studded with those very crisps. The limited‑edition bar combined smooth chocolate with crunchy, salty bites.
Reviews were split: many found the cheese‑and‑onion flavor overwhelmed the chocolate, calling the combo “too much.” As a result, the bar vanished after its short run, leaving only the classic crisps to satisfy fans. If you’re curious, you’ll have to hunt down the original chips instead.
5 Musk Sticks
Pink, cylindrical treats that look like toothpaste and taste like perfume – meet Australia’s musk sticks. These gelatin sticks are dusted with icing sugar and infused with a musky essence reminiscent of an old‑fashioned cologne.
They dissolve slowly, releasing a flavor many compare to “the scent of an elderly lady at a bus stop,” yet oddly enjoyable. A century‑old favorite, Woolworths sells around 24 million of these each year. If the taste isn’t your thing, they double as a quirky air freshener.
4 Creamy Corn Candy
Corn lovers, meet a candy that tries to capture the essence of creamed corn. Victory’s Creamy Corn Candy from Malaysia isn’t the beloved candy‑corn you know; it’s a smooth, aromatic treat that claims a rich, lingering flavor.
Its packaging boasts the slogan “Tastes So Smooth, Tastes So Rich,” yet the reality can be a bit perplexing for those expecting the classic sweet corn taste. Still, if you’re craving a bite of Thanksgiving nostalgia in a novel form, give this Malaysian oddity a try.
3 Percy Pig
Marks & Spencer’s Percy Pig has become a UK staple, but there’s a creepy twist: the gummy piggies contain pork gelatin. Shaped like plump piglets, they’re coated in raspberry‑flavored jelly.
Beyond the original, the line now includes Veggie Percy, Phizzy Pig Tails, Percy Pig & Pals, and even Globetrotting Percy. The brand has also expanded into merchandise – linens, calendars, mugs, and party supplies – turning a gummy novelty into a full‑blown lifestyle brand.
2 Salt Licorice
Not all sweets aim for pure sweetness. In Finland, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands, salmiakki – salty black licorice infused with ammonium chloride – is a beloved treat from childhood through adulthood.
Available in soft and hard varieties, salmiakki also flavors ice cream, sodas, and spirits. While some enjoy its sharp, briny bite, others find it an acquired taste, especially the extra‑potent versions that push the salty frontier.
1 Lightning Bug Gummies
Looking for a treat that’s both tasty and theatrical? Lightning Bug Gummies deliver bright, bug‑shaped gummies that literally light up when you pinch them with a tiny battery‑powered tweezer.
Each bag includes the glowing tweezers and a handful of gummy insects. Slip a bug into the tweezer’s tip, squeeze, and watch it illuminate – a perfect blend of flavor and fun for kids and the young‑at‑heart.
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