We all have our favourite ‘go to’ candies, and at Candy Mail we just love American candies. This got us thinking…what’s the most popular American candy? So, we’ve put together a top 10 of candy treats stateside.
M&M’s
Let’s kick off with the iconic candy brand of M&Ms! These originated in America in 1941 and since 2003 M&M's have been sold in over 100 countries. The candy-coated chocolate M&Ms from Mars Confectionary can now be found in many flavours including peanut butter, almond, pretzel, crispy, dark chocolate, and caramel. One of our favourites is the M&Ms Peanut Butter Theatre Box full of creamy peanut butter M&Ms and the best thing is they melt in your mouth not in your hands!
M&M Top Fact – Did you know that Mars copied the idea of M&Ms in the 1930s during the Spanish Civil War when Frank C. Mars saw soldiers eating British-made Smarties. He was impressed with the chocolate pellets with a coloured shell which preventing the sweets from melting.
Reese’s Pieces
Known the world over for their tasty varieties of peanut butter based products from chocolate bars to actual peanut butter spread, Reese’s are high on the popular US candy list. Our particular favourite is the Reese's pieces peanut butter candy coated candies, why not try them in this Reese’s Pieces Theatre Box; simply delicious. If you want to really treat yourself why not try our Reese's Mystery Selection Box chock full of peanuty goodness.
Reese’s Movie Fact – Did you know Reese’s pieces became very popular in 1982 when they were featured in the film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.
Jolly Ranchers
Now made by The Hershey Company, Jolly Rancher are famous for their fruity hard candy, gummies, fruit chews, jelly beans, lollipops and more. If hard candy is your thing, it doesn’t get any better than Jolly Rancher Original Hard Candy. It’s one of our best sellers so why not treat your taste buds to these fruity favourites.
Jolly Rancher Fun Fact – In 1948, Bill and Dorothy Harmsen founded the Jolly Rancher Company in Denver, Colorado and chose the name to give the impression of a friendly Western company.
Sour Patch Kids
These vegan friendly American candies came with the slogan "Sour. Sweet. Gone." referring to their sour-to-sweet taste. If Sour Patch Kids are top of your most popular American candy list then don’t miss out, treat yourself to a Sour Patch Kids Bag and enjoy the original sour and sweet sensation imported from the USA.
Sour Patch Kids Fun Fact – In 2011, there was a video game based on Sour Patch Kids called World Gone Sour.
Tootsie Roll
As the first penny chew to be individually wrapped, the Tootsie Roll has been enjoyed in America since 1907. The mildly chocolate-flavoured taffy-like candy is in a class of its own with similar qualities to both caramels and taffy without being exactly either. Get your Tootsie Roll fill with the Tootsie Rolls Midgees Bag and enjoy delicious chocolatey bites covered in a crisp smooth chocolate coating.
Tootsie Roll Fun Fact – Tootsie founder Leo Hirschfield named the candy after his daughter Clara, whose nickname was "Tootsie".
Twizzlers
While the original Twizzlers were liquorice, today the most popular flavour is Twizzlers Strawberry Twists which accounts for 70% of all Twizzlers made. First produced in 1929 by Young and Smylie, one of the oldest confectionery company’s in the States, who now produce enough Twizzlers liquorice to go around the world 40 times every year!
Twizzlers Recording Breaking Fact – Young and Smylie have the world record for longest ever liquorice twist at 1,200 feet (370m) in length.
Swedish Fish
These cult favourite fish-shaped, chewy candies were originally made in the 1950s for the US market. Check this out; you can enjoy the sweet, soft and chewy fishy candies guilt free as they are a ‘a fat free food’, it says so on the bag! They are also gluten free too. What are you waiting for shop for Swedish Fish now.
Swedish Fish Fishy Fact – The original Swedish Fish gummy sweets actually came from Sweden and were made fish shaped to reflect the fact that fishing was a big part of Sweden's culture and diet.
Hershey’s Kisses
Hershey's Kisses have been a long standing popular American candy since 1907, with their distinctive conical shape and flat bottom. The solid milk chocolate bite sized Hersey’s Kisses come individually wrapped and are also perfect for decorating cakes or delicious to snack on.
Hershey’s Kisses Fun Fact – Hershey's were called “Kisses” because of the sound and the motion that the machine made when it deposited the chocolate onto the conveyer belt.
Milk Duds
Another Hersey’s much-loved favourite are Milk Duds, little balls of chewy, sweet caramel. Milk Duds are great for snacking on or cooking with, and whilst they may be an American classic, you can now buy Milk Duds here in the UK.
Milk Duds Dud Fact – The inspiration for the name Milk Duds came from the fact it was impossible to make the candies round, therefore the candies were called ‘duds’.
Butterfinger
Described as ‘one of kind’, the Nestle Butterfinger Bar has a layered crispy peanut butter core covered in chocolate. Invented in 1923; over the years there’s been variations from bite sized Butterfinger Snackerz to cookies made with Butterfinger candy pieces.
Butterfinger Fact – Approximately 1,626,000,000 Butterfinger bars per year are now produced.
At Candy Mail, we stock many more of America’s most popular candies and sweets, but if you can’t find your favourite American candy, please email us on info@candymail.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.
If you really want to try the full American sweet experience then the answer has to be our American Candy Mega box packed full of sweets, sodas, snacks and lots more, or you could build your own American Sweet Hamper check out our blog post - Build Your Own American Sweet Hamper to find out more.