The Ultimate Guide to Every Type of Candy You Should Know

Key Takeaway: From classic chocolate bars to exotic international treats, this comprehensive guide explores the world's best candies of all time, helping you discover new favorites and understand what makes the best candy in the world so irresistible. Explore our complete candy collection to satisfy your sweet tooth today!

Are you curious about what exactly makes the best candy in the world so special? Perhaps you're wondering which sweet treats have earned the title of best candy of all time? Whether you're a casual candy enthusiast or a dedicated connoisseur, this comprehensive guide will take you on a delicious journey through every type of candy worth knowing about.

Candy isn't just a treat – it's an experience that connects us to childhood memories, celebrations, and cultures around the world. With thousands of varieties available, understanding the different types and what makes them unique will help you appreciate why certain candies have achieved legendary status as the best candies ever created.

The Sweet History of Candy

Before diving into the various types of candy, let's take a moment to understand where these delicious treats originated.

Ancient Beginnings

Humans have been enjoying sweet treats for thousands of years, though they looked quite different from the candies we enjoy today:

• Ancient Egypt: Egyptians combined honey with fruits and nuts to create early confections around 2000 BCE.

• Ancient China: The Chinese created sweet treats from honey, fruits, and seeds as early as 1000 BCE.

• Ancient India: The creation of sugar candy dates back to around 500 BCE, as India was one of the first places to refine sugar.

Evolution to Modern Candy

The candy we recognize today began taking shape during these key periods:

• Middle Ages: Sugar became more widely available in Europe, leading to the creation of early confections.

• 1800s: The Industrial Revolution brought mechanized candy production, making sweets more affordable and widely available.

• Early 1900s: Many of what we now consider the best candy of all time was invented during this candy boom, including iconic chocolate bars and penny candies.

• Post-WWII Era: The explosion of mass manufacturing led to nationwide distribution of many candies that would become household names.

Major Categories of Candy

To truly understand what makes the best candy in the world, it helps to break down the major categories and what makes each unique.

Chocolate Confections

Arguably containing many contenders for the best candy ever created, chocolate confections include:

Chocolate Bars

The quintessential candy experience, chocolate bars range from pure milk chocolate to complex combinations of ingredients:

• Milk Chocolate Bars: Smooth, creamy bars made with cocoa solids, sugar, and milk

• Dark Chocolate Bars: More intense flavor with higher cocoa content and less sugar

• White Chocolate: Made with cocoa butter but no cocoa solids

• Combination Bars: Chocolate bars with added ingredients like nuts, caramel, or nougat

Some of the world's most beloved chocolate bars that frequently make "best candy in the world" lists include Hershey's, Cadbury Dairy Milk, and Lindt Excellence.

Filled Chocolates

These delightful treats feature various centers encased in chocolate:

• Truffles: Ganache-centered chocolates with rich, smooth interiors

• Chocolate-Covered Nuts: The perfect combination of crunch and sweetness

• Cream-Filled Chocolates: Soft, flavored centers surrounded by chocolate

• Chocolate-Covered Fruits: Fresh or dried fruits dipped in chocolate

Brands like Godiva, Ferrero Rocher, and Ghirardelli have mastered this category, often earning them spots on "best candies" lists worldwide.

Hard Candies

Hard candies, with their long-lasting flavors and beautiful colors, include some of the oldest and most enduring candy varieties:

• Lollipops: Hard candy on a stick, available in countless flavors and designs

• Candy Canes: Traditionally peppermint-flavored sticks associated with Christmas

• Hard Fruit Drops: Intensely flavored, often fruit-shaped hard candies

• Butterscotch Discs: Sweet, buttery hard candies with a distinctive flavor

• Rock Candy: Large sugar crystals formed around a stick or string

Brands like Jolly Rancher, Werther's Original, and Life Savers have perfected hard candies that many consider among the best candy of all time in this category.

Chewy and Gummy Candies

These stretchy, chewy treats have a texture that's impossible to resist:

• Gummy Bears/Worms: Gelatin-based candies in various shapes and flavors

• Fruit Chews: Soft, taffy-like candies with fruit flavors

• Licorice: Traditional black or modern fruit-flavored chewy ropes and pieces

• Taffy: Pulled sugar candy with a distinctive chewy texture

• Marshmallows: Soft, pillowy confections made from sugar, gelatin, and air

Haribo, Starburst, and Hi-Chew have created some of the best candies in the chewy category, with devoted fans worldwide.

Brittle and Crunchy Candies

These treats provide a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with their sweetness:

• Peanut Brittle: Hard candy embedded with peanuts

• Toffee: Caramelized sugar and butter, often with nuts

• Honeycomb/Sponge Candy: Sugar candy with a light, aerated texture

• Pralines: Sugar candy with nuts (often pecans)

• Candy Bark: Thin sheets of chocolate with various toppings

Novelty and Specialty Candies

These unique treats often become nostalgic favorites:

• Pop Rocks: Carbonated candy that creates a popping sensation in your mouth

• Cotton Candy: Spun sugar with an ethereal, melt-in-your-mouth quality

• Candy Buttons: Small dots of sugar attached to paper strips

• Wax Bottles: Wax containers filled with flavored liquid

• Candy Necklaces: Edible jewelry made from small, round candies on a string

Best Candies From Around the World

What is the best candy in the world? The answer varies depending on where you are! Let's explore regional specialties that many consider the best candy ever in their respective countries:

North American Favorites

• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups: The perfect combination of chocolate and peanut butter

• M&M's: Colorful candy-coated chocolate pieces

• Snickers: Nougat, caramel, and peanuts covered in milk chocolate

• Twizzlers: Chewy, twisted licorice ropes in various flavors

• Milk Duds: Chocolate-covered caramel balls

European Delicacies

• Belgian Pralines: Filled chocolates with smooth, flavored centers

• Swiss Chocolate: Renowned for its exceptionally smooth texture

• Italian Torrone: Nougat made with honey, sugar, and nuts

• British Cadbury Dairy Milk: Creamy milk chocolate with a distinctive flavor

• German Haribo Gummies: The original and often considered the best gummy candies

Asian Sweet Innovations

• Japanese Hi-Chew: Intensely flavored fruit chews with amazing texture

• Korean Melona Bars: Ice cream bars that inspire candy flavors

• Chinese White Rabbit Candy: Milk-based chewy candy wrapped in edible rice paper

• Indian Jalebi: Fried, syrup-soaked spirals with a distinctive texture

• Thai Khanom Chan: Layered, colorful gelatin candies with coconut flavor

Latin American Treats

• Mexican Tamarind Candy: Sweet, sour, and sometimes spicy candies made from tamarind

• Dulce de Leche: Milk caramel candies popular throughout Latin America

• Brazilian Brigadeiros: Chocolate fudge balls rolled in chocolate sprinkles

• Colombian Arequipe: Similar to caramel but with a unique flavor profile

• Argentinian Alfajores: Sandwich cookies filled with dulce de leche

What Makes the Best Candy of All Time?

When candy enthusiasts debate what is the best candy in the world, they typically consider these factors:

Perfect Balance of Flavors

The best candies ever created have mastered the art of balance:

• Sweet with Salt: Like the perfect interplay in salted caramel

• Sweet with Sour: The contrast that makes sour patch kids irresistible

• Multiple Flavor Notes: Complex candies that evolve as you eat them

• Intensity: Strong, well-developed flavors that aren't artificial-tasting

Memorable Texture Experience

Texture plays a huge role in what makes the best candy in the world stand out:

• Multiple Textures: Combinations like crunchy and creamy or chewy and smooth

• Mouthfeel: How the candy interacts with your palate

• Distinctive Bite: Whether it's the snap of good chocolate or the pull of caramel

• Texture Contrast: Elements that create interest as you eat

Nostalgia Factor

Many candies considered the best candy of all time earn that status through emotional connections:

• Childhood Memories: Candies associated with happy moments

• Holiday Traditions: Seasonal treats that mark special occasions

• Family Favorites: Candies passed down through generations

• Regional Pride: Local specialties that connect people to their heritage

Seasonal Candy Specialties

Throughout the year, special candies emerge that many consider the best candies of their season:

Halloween Classics

• Candy Corn: Love it or hate it, it's an iconic Halloween candy

• Fun Size Chocolate Bars: Mini versions of favorites like Snickers and Kit Kat

• Caramel Apples: Though not strictly candy, they're a Halloween treat staple

• Pumpkin-Shaped Chocolates: Seasonal variations of classic chocolates

• Halloween Gummies: Spooky-shaped gummy candies

Christmas Confections

• Candy Canes: The quintessential Christmas candy

• Chocolate Oranges: Chocolate shaped like oranges that break into segments

• Peppermint Bark: Layers of dark and white chocolate with crushed peppermint

• Ribbon Candy: Thin, twisted hard candy in festive colors

• Chocolate Liqueurs: Adult candies with spirited centers

Valentine's Day Sweets

• Heart-Shaped Chocolate Boxes: Assortments of filled chocolates

• Conversation Hearts: Small heart candies with messages

• Chocolate-Covered Strawberries: Fresh berries dipped in chocolate

• Red Licorice: Red versions of popular licorice candies

• Chocolate Truffles: Luxurious, ganache-filled chocolates

Health-Conscious Candy Options

For those watching their health but still wanting to enjoy what might be the best candy ever for their dietary needs:

Sugar-Free Alternatives

• Sugar-Free Chocolate: Made with sugar alternatives like stevia or erythritol

• Hard Candies with Xylitol: Often marketed for dental health

• Sugar-Free Gummies: Chewy treats without the sugar spike

Natural and Organic Options

• Honey-Sweetened Candies: Using natural sweeteners instead of processed sugar

• Fruit-Juice Sweetened Options: Candies that derive sweetness from fruit

• Organic Chocolates: Made with certified organic ingredients

• Vegan Gummies: Made without animal-derived gelatin

DIY Candy Making

Creating your own version of what you consider the best candy in the world can be a rewarding experience:

Beginner-Friendly Recipes

• Chocolate Bark: Melted chocolate with your choice of toppings

• Rock Candy: Sugar crystals grown on string or sticks

• Fudge: Creamy chocolate confections that require no special equipment

• Peanut Butter Cups: Homemade versions of the popular chocolate cups

Advanced Candy Techniques

• Hand-Pulled Taffy: The traditional method requiring strength and skill

• Tempered Chocolate Work: Creating glossy, properly crystallized chocolate

• Hard Candy: Working with sugar heated to specific temperatures

• Marshmallows From Scratch: Creating the perfect fluffy texture

FAQ About the Best Candy in the World

Q: What is generally considered the best candy of all time?

A: While subjective, surveys consistently show chocolate varieties like Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, and Kit Kat ranking among the best candies ever created. Regional preferences vary widely, with Belgian chocolates, Japanese Hi-Chew, and Mexican dulce de leche also receiving recognition as the best candy in their respective regions.

Q: Are expensive candies really better than common varieties?

A: Not necessarily. While artisanal candies often use higher-quality ingredients, many of the candies considered the best candy ever are affordable mainstream options. Personal preference plays a huge role in determining what you'll consider the best candy in the world.

Q: What candy has been around the longest?

A: Some of the oldest candies still produced today include Turkish Delight (dating to the late 1700s), Necco Wafers (1847), and Fry's Chocolate Cream bars (1866). These have stood the test of time, suggesting they may deserve consideration among the best candy of all time.

Q: Is candy from other countries better than American candy?

A: This is entirely subjective. European chocolates often contain higher cocoa percentages and different milk formulations. Japanese candies frequently feature unique textures and flavors. American candies typically excel at combinations like chocolate with peanut butter or caramel. The best candy in the world for you depends on your personal taste preferences.

Q: What makes a candy worthy of being called the "best candy ever"?

A: Candies that achieve this status typically excel in multiple areas: perfect flavor balance, distinctive texture, high-quality ingredients, consistency across batches, wide appeal, and often a nostalgic connection or innovative approach that makes them memorable.

Conclusion: Finding Your Personal Best Candy in the World

What is the best candy in the world? The answer is ultimately personal. The best candy ever for you might be a luxurious Belgian chocolate truffle or a simple lollipop that reminds you of childhood. What matters is the joy these sweet treats bring.

As you explore different types of candy, keep an open mind. Try international varieties, artisanal creations, and childhood classics alike. You might discover that your notion of the best candy of all time evolves as you experience more options.

Ready to expand your candy horizons? Visit Candycopia to explore our extensive collection of candies from around the world, including many contenders for the best candy ever created. Whether you're looking for nostalgic favorites or exotic new treats, we have something to satisfy every sweet tooth.