In honor of America’s birthday month, which happens to coincide with ours – McKeesport Candy Co. is 95 years young this July and holds the distinction of being the OLDEST Wholesale Candy Company in the nation – I thought I would write about some of our favorite candies and how I feel about them.
This holiday got me thinking about our country, and of course, my sweet connections made me think about what candies best represent our country.
To determine which candies represent America, I researched a list of the most sold candies in the United States. To no surprise, I knew almost every name! I was familiar with their flavors, knew their packaging, and had seen them countless times on shelves all around the nation.
Some of these candies shocked me, like Hot Tamales and 3 Musketeers. Although I know both candies, I haven’t ever heard someone say they are their favorite candy. My favorite on the list is Reese’s (which should come as no surprise if you have seen my other posts), but I also am a huge fan of M&M’s and most of the other candies on the list.
Here is my ranking of America’s favorite candies and how I feel about them.
The clear winner for most of America and me! It’s a time-tested delicious mix and balance of chocolate and peanut butter. There is something about the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup: each time I have one, they get better and better, something I cannot say about every candy.
So perhaps they are worthy of the designation of being genuinely classic! You will hear no arguments from this end!
With many different flavors and fun colors, M&M’s never got old. My personal favorite is the Fudge Brownie one, as well as the Peanut M&M’s. However, I’m not too fond of the peanut butter ones, even though I know they are a favorite. The good news is that whatever flavor you choose, they are sure to melt in your mouth and not in your hand…
I know it might not be everyone’s candy bar, but it has withstood the test of time and has remained on candy shelves for over 90 years! Often people might prefer Twix or Snickers. However, the 3 Musketeers bar is sweet and delicious with its chocolate whipped mousse filling.
Kit Kats are a classic and are an ever-evolving brand with new Limited Edition flavors coming out regularly. I love the delicious wafer and how they combine a balance of delicious chocolate and crunch.
As you can probably tell from my rankings, I am more of a chocolate girl than a gummy one, but I love Sour Patch Kids. My favorite ones are green, orange, and yellow (the best ones because it’s always easy to find
someone to share a pack with). They have great flavors that pack a sour punch and a sweet kick and have come a long way from when they were invented in the 1970s and called Mars Men!
A classic American candy that I do find quite delicious, just not my favorite. However, the ice cream version of a Snickers is absolutely to die for; I love it so much. The balance of nougat, smooth caramel, and crunchy peanuts all enrobed in chocolate is fantastic; there is no wonder why this made the list and why it is one of the best-selling candy bars in the world, selling over 400 million candy bars yearly!
I am a sucker for a good hint of caramel and even more of one when it’s covered in chocolate. I find many similarities between American candy bars. They are covered in chocolate with bits of caramel and crunch. Each is delicious in its unique way, including Twix, which pushes the limit with its cookie-crunchy center!
I will be the first to admit that a Hershey’s bar isn’t my favorite candy bar. However, others may and often disagree as this rectangular piece of milk chocolate is the only candy bar to hold the self-imposed designation of “The Great American Chocolate Bar.”
Little did Milton Hershey know that when he invented a candy bar over hundred years ago that it would become the benchmark by which all others are compared!
Starbursts have good reason to be on this list with their literal bursts of flavor and many different colors. My favorite is orange, but I don’t think I would crave them like Reese’s cups. Nevertheless, they are a great candy, especially for those who are not chocolate fanatics or want a candy that may not melt in warmer weather!
Skittles are the sugary version of an M&M; to me, they don’t compare to the chocolatey goodness of the fabled candy-coated chocolate candy. Still, sour Skittles are my favorite variation, and I would pick them up every once and a while, especially if I am looking for a candy that I can enjoy on the go!
I’m not a big fan of spicy candies, and I am shocked that these made the list as I didn’t think they were that popular. They may be an exciting candy, certainly not one I would make my first choice, but I think they are fun to taste!
If you want to try all of America’s favorite candies, we have them for you.
In the 95-year history of our wholesale candy company, all of the sweets mentioned have withstood the test of time, and we encourage you to try them and share your opinion!
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