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Whatever you’re used to seems normal and yummy – for instance, I could eat half a bag of Hershey’s Kisses in one sitting – but often seem odd to people who grow up in different cultures.
Did you know most of the world doesn’t understand milk chocolate? Yeah, I know.
Anyway, below are 8 international candies that seem super weird to those of us who grew up in the States.
#8. Musk Sticks
These sticks have a perfume-like flavor and are loved by Aussies and Kiwis alike – they’re gelatin, icing sugar, and a musky something that dissolves in your mouth.
Which sounds pretty disgusting, if you ask me, but since they’ve been in production and selling for more than a century, there must be something to it!
#7. Lamb Caramels
“Genghis Khan” is a popular mutton barbecue dish in Hokkaido, and in 2002, the owner of a gourmet food store decided to turn it into a caramel candy.
Candy flavored like lamb curry with a hint of caramel sweetness. Yep. (Nope).
#6. Percy Pig
British company Marks & Spencer created this gummy candy shaped like a pig, which sounds normal and yummy until I get to the next part – they’re partly made with pork gelatin (except maybe not anymore?).
Brits love them in all of their many varieties (and merchandising tie-ins), so I guess they’re worth a shot.
#5. Salsagheti
If just the name is turning you off, well, you’re not alone. This Mexican candy is sweet and sour and spicy straws that taste like watermelon covered in chili tamarind powder and sugar crystals. Not only that, but they come with a pack of tamarind sauce (your salsa) on the side, and if you dump it on top, it kind of looks like spaghetti.
I’m sort of in, except for the watermelon flavor??
#4. Salt Licorice
People in Northern Europe love their salmiak – or black licorice – with ammonium chloride to give it its distinct salty taste. If you’re a beginner, they have mild salty flavors that you can use to build your palate up to the really potent stuff.
#3. Kitten Tongue Chocolate
You’ll be glad to know this Czech candy isn’t made of actually kitten tongues – it’s just a bag of sweet, milky chocolate bars in the shape of a kitten tongue.
They date back to 1892 Vienna, but no word on the inception or why people want to eat candy shaped like a cat’s tongue. Except for the fact that it’s chocolate.
#2. Lightning Bug Gummies
These gummies are extra special because they actually light up when you grab them with the included set of tweezers. Score one for candy-makers who know how to keep your kids entertained for hours!
#1. Chocolate Bar with Cheese & Onion Crisps
Image Credit: YouTube
It probably won’t surprise you to find out that this odd combination comes to you from the Emerald Isle – Tayto’s popular Cheese & Onion crisps were a best seller, so the company decided to take it one step further.
A misstep, probably, since the limited-edition release was never renewed.
I mean, don’t knock it until you’ve tried it, I guess!
