Apparently, it’s actually banned in the U.S. In classic Mexican flavors like watermelon and mango, this powdered candy is spicy, sour, salty, and sweet all in one. Think Pixi Stix but with MUCH more flavor. Not into hard candy? No worries – Pulparindo is a spicy tamarind candy that satisfies all your cravings for chewy, gooey goodness. Vero MangoĪnother spicy chile-covered fruit lollipop, but this time with mango. These happen to be watermelon lollipops covered in salty, spicy goodness. Rebanaditas are a great example of the wonder that is Mexican candy made from chile and fruit. SPICY RellerindosĪnother tamarind candy, but spicy! Hard candy fans will love Rellerindos. You push down on the plastic container and watch squishy candy “hair” ( pelo) grow up from the top. Half the fun of this sweet-and-sour tamarind candy is the presentation. Maybe that doesn’t sound like candy to you, but judging by its popularity south of the border, it’s doing something right! We’d put Limon 7 right up there with the sourest candies in the world. This candy is literally just salt and lime. If you’re wondering what cereza means, it’s “cherry,” which explains the flavor of these sweet cherry lollipops with chewing gum centers. The oxymoron in the name of this favorite Mexican candy only makes it that much better. Get it in flavors like vanilla, strawberry, and hazelnut. Who doesn’t love a sweet, gooey snack you eat with a spoon? Duvalín is a little like pudding, but better. Paleta Payaso takes chocolate to a whole new level by covering a marshmallow in it, painting on a smiley face, and putting the whole thing on a stick. Made with “goat milk candy,” Obleas have a creamy, caramel-like center you won’t be able to stop eating. Technically these are cookies, but they’re so popular we couldn’t leave them off the list. They’re widely available in the U.S., becoming emblematic of the best Mexican candy. Told you Mazapan was a big deal! These round, flakey little cookies made from crushed peanuts have the texture of marzipan with a unique flavor. Now for the best Mexican candies of all time! The Best Mexican Candy SWEET De la Rosa Peanut Marzipan It crops up in Mexican marzipan, or mazapan, in place of almonds. PeanutĬalled “cacahuate” or “cacahuete” (derived from Nahuatl), the peanut – like chocolate – is a staple in sweet and savory foods in many regions of Mexico, stemming from Mesoamerican traditions. One of the most common combinations is tamarind and chili powder, which makes for a sucker-punch flavor that is not for the faint of heart. The tangy flesh of this pod-like tree fruit lends itself to many of the most popular Mexican candies, in addition to beverages and savory foods. Today you’ll find chocolate in both sweet and savory Mexican dishes (such as mole), depending on the region.
Later, Spanish conquistadores brought sugar to the region and made sweet chocolate possible. Chocolateĭid you know chocolate originated in Mexico? Mesoamericans drank bitter chocolate beverages and used cacao beans as currency the word “chocolate” comes from the Aztec language Nahuatl.
Today you’ll find Mexican lollipops, hard candies, jelly candies, and more – often made of tangy fruits like mango or citrus – covered in spicy, salty powdered chile. While it’s not the only sweet treat you can enjoy in the region, it certainly makes up a large portion of the best Mexican candies! And that’s because of the chile pepper, which has been used in Mexican cuisine since before Mexico was even Mexico. Many people associate Mexico with spicy candy. Let’s explore some of the highlights below! Chile Pepper Like the majority of Mexican cuisine, those ingredients and flavors come from a mix of pre-Columbian culinary traditions and European twists stemming from colonization. While Mexican candy is as broad and diverse as in any other part of the world, there are certain ingredients and flavors that make this region’s sweets stand out. Now we’re back in the western hemisphere to celebrate the unique sweet treats of a country with rich culinary traditions: Mexico! Whether out of curiosity or nostalgia, prepare for a mouth-watering list of the best Mexican candy.
We’ve been “traveling” the globe highlighting the best candies the world has to offer.