Least favorite Halloween candy

[BKReporter]

I saw an interesting piece about this today:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/the-9-grossest-kinds-of-c_n_335894.html

Anyway what were your least favorite Halloween treats when you were a kid. In my town there was always a house that gave away nickles, which seemed kind of chintzy. But I have to go with the orange marshmallow that looked like a big peanut. Seinfeld had a good bit about this in his Halloween routine. I can't remember the exact wording but it went something like this:
The orange marshmallow that looked like a big peanut. You keep that lady, we have enough doorstops already.

I was also never crazy about the candy cigarettes (do they still even make those?). It's not that I had any strong PC objections to smoking, but I just always thought they tasted really chalky.

[Freudian Slit]

Those stupid lollipops. The ones that come in the clear wrappers. Or just flavored candies in clear wrappers. They're so generic!

[badbadrubberpiggy]

I saw an interesting piece about this today:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/28/the-9-grossest-kinds-of-c_n_335894.html

Anyway what were your least favorite Halloween treats when you were a kid. In my town there was always a house that gave away nickles, which seemed kind of chintzy. But I have to go with the orange marshmallow that looked like a big peanut. Seinfeld had a good bit about this in his Halloween routine. I can't remember the exact wording but it went something like this:
The orange marshmallow that looked like a big peanut. You keep that lady, we have enough doorstops already.

I.

You mean Circus Peanuts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Peanuts)? Yes, they are terrible - my mom always loved them, though.

I don't really associate them with Halloween, though, I don't remember getting them in my ToT bags. For me, the worst Halloween candy is candy corn. Flavorless, gritty, and sickly sweet little lumps of wrongness that always reminded me of pulled teeth. Ugh.

[Dung Beetle]

Circus peanuts are of the Devil. Candy corn is like Hitler.

[BKReporter]

You mean Circus Peanuts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Peanuts)? Yes, they are terrible - my mom always loved them, though.

I don't really associate them with Halloween, though, I don't remember getting them in my ToT bags. For me, the worst Halloween candy is candy corn. Flavorless, gritty, and sickly sweet little lumps of wrongness that always reminded me of pulled teeth. Ugh.

That's an interesting bit in the Wikipedia article about Circus Peanut shavings inspiring the marshmallows in Lucky Charms-type cereals.

[Drunky Smurf]

Circus peanuts are delicious.

Anything chalky like Necco wafers or sweethearts, not really a halloween issue though, are icky.

[bup]

Where is the candy corn? That's tied for the worst candy with circus peanuts.

They made a good call on those pumpkin-shaped abominations. I had forgotten about those.

Wax bottles filled with syrup is totally unfair. I love those.

[Sigmagirl]

Mary Janes (http://www.necco.com/ourbrands/default.asp?brandid=1), those horrid peanut-butter-molasses things suitable only for flattening on the sidewalk. Half a step up from the odious Bit-o Honey.

[badbadrubberpiggy]

Mary Janes (http://www.necco.com/ourbrands/default.asp?brandid=1), those horrid peanut-butter-molasses things suitable only for flattening on the sidewalk. Half a step up from the odious Bit-o Honey.

I loved both of these!

I also like the fruity bottles, and the root beer barrells mentioned in the Huffington Post article.

The pumpkin abominations are awful, though. Even worse than candy corn, because they're bigger.

Do they still make chocolate flavored candy corns? Those are nasty, too.

[jk1245]

Those nasty, peanut-buttery black or orange wrapped things. Used to throw them out when I got home from trick or treating. Couldn't even trade them in my circle of T or T'ers.

[Spoke]

You mean Circus Peanuts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_Peanuts)? Yes, they are terrible - my mom always loved them, though.
Same. My mom was addicted to those. Maybe it was a generational thing.

[badbadrubberpiggy]

Same. My mom was addicted to those. Maybe it was a generational thing.

Did she let them get stale before eating them? Mine always did. She doesn't even have a sweet tooth, I have no idea where her love of these things came from.

[h.sapiens]

I love candy corns, and all their novelty-shaped cousins. Except the ones that are supposed to taste like banana. Ick.

My mother can't stand to even look at circus peanuts, because she used to work as a secretary at the Brach's factory, and when they made them, the smell was so overwhelming it made her ill. And that was over 50 years ago.

[Sigmagirl]

Those nasty, peanut-buttery black or orange wrapped things. Used to throw them out when I got home from trick or treating. Couldn't even trade them in my circle of T or T'ers.

Like I said -- Mary Janes!

[Hazle Weatherfield]

Those nasty, peanut-buttery black or orange wrapped things. Used to throw them out when I got home from trick or treating. Couldn't even trade them in my circle of T or T'ers.

Thank you! Blechhhhhh!

[Small Hen]

I love candy corn.

And flavored tootsie rolls? What the hell? THose are AWESOME! My sisters and I used to get a bag of those and fight over who got the lime and vanilla ones.

I've never been a big fan of Nerds, though. Or any sour candy. And, of course, circus peanuts are horrible. If I wanted those, I've still got some packing peanuts leftover from the move I could eat.

[Thudlow Boink]

Does gum count?

I Got a Rock (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/IGotARock)

[JThunder]

Razor blades in apples.

[Shoeless]

When I was trick-or-trreating age, my absolute least favorite Halloween candy was Pixie Stix. You know, those little paper tubes filled with sugary powder. It wasn't that I didn't like Pixie Stix as a candy, but those paper tubes would always rupture in my trick-or-treat bag and cover everything else with sugar and they just made big mess.

[jayjay]

LOVE Mary Janes! Hate candy corn and all of its relatives, especially those big waxy pumpkins...they made my teeth hurt after about two of them.

I actually liked the candy cigarettes. And the gum ones, too. And the gum cigars with the owl bands.

Hated any lollipop but Blow Pop or Tootsie Pop. The plain old ones with no candy/gum center were blah, even DumDums.

Jolly Rancher...gaaaah! Nasty, sticky, sour and they lasted FOREVER! There were times, in trying to just get them down (because I was a stupid kid), that I felt like my mouth was never going to be free again...I would have that Jolly Rancher in there for the rest of my life, never dissolving down to nothing.

[bouv]

Like I said -- Mary Janes!

He's not talking about Mary Janes. These are Mary Janes. (http://www.shamanshop.net/store/images/Images_GR/GR_736177.jpg)

What he's referring to are, apparently, called Peanut Butter Kisses. (http://www.groovycandies.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=793)

I agree that both are horrid.

[BKReporter]

Those nasty, peanut-buttery black or orange wrapped things. Used to throw them out when I got home from trick or treating. Couldn't even trade them in my circle of T or T'ers.

Ohhh, I forgot about those. I usually had a bunch left of those over after I'd eaten all the good candy.
I agree with most of what's on the list in the link I had in the OP. But I think the root beer candies are unfairly maligned. I eat those to this day.

[Wheelz]

Popcorn balls.

We didn't even wait to get home to throw those away. We'd chuck 'em out into a field, see who could throw the farthest. Or just whip 'em at each other. (Never at somebody's house though. My friends and I were good kids.:))

[Hypno-Toad]

Circus Peanuts and all the incarnations of candy corn are food of the GODS. To hate them is to hate goodness.

But Bit O Honey was the last ditch, everything-else-is-gone candy.

[Sigmagirl]

He's not talking about Mary Janes. These are Mary Janes. (http://www.shamanshop.net/store/images/Images_GR/GR_736177.jpg)

What he's referring to are, apparently, called Peanut Butter Kisses. (http://www.groovycandies.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=793)

I agree that both are horrid.

Oh, yeah. I see. Yes, nasty stuff.

I like fresh candy corn. When it's nice and soft. When you can almost hear the glub-glub of the corn syrup going in the vat.

[ProfessorX]

Dude, it's gotta be candy corn. Hands down..

[norinew]

As per the article, Sesame Crunch is nasty. If you're going to give those out, just lock your door, turn out your porch light, and don't bother giving away candy at all! Likewise, generic hard candy. Ugh. And don't get me started on popcorn balls!

But candy corn (and to a lesser extent, their pumpkin-shaped counterparts), Mary Janes, Bit O' Honey, and especially peanut butter kisses are all good!

I agree Pixie Stix are evil. The candy is not so bad, but I've never figured out how to eat one without either clogging the paper tube with saliva so no more candy would come out, or dumping the candy into my mouth so fast that I choke on it!

Do they still make chocolate flavored candy corns?
Do you mean 'Indian corn'? That's even better than regular candy corn! Candy corn or Indian corn, though, must be eaten properly: the tip first, then the second layer, finally the bottom. If you eat them wrong, it doesn't count!:p

Oh, gotta agree with Jolly Ranchers. Those things will not frieakin' dissolve.
Except. . .I read a thread right here on the Dope some months ago about flavoring plain vodka with Jolly Ranchers. Hmmmm. Maybe after the candy goes on sale right after Halloween, I'll conduct a little experiment. . .

To distribute at our place this year, we have a large bag of assorted Hershey Miniatures, and two large bags of 'dismembered' gummy 'parts' (gummy 'fingers', gummy 'ears', etc.)

[Icerigger]

Bit-O-Honey, they would snap your teeth off.

[TWDuke]

I hated (and still hate) sour candies, like Smarties*, SweeTarts, etc. Sweets should be sweet, not sour.** Smarties are particularly obnoxious because they come in those bright wonderful colors but all have the same nasty sour taste.

* U.S. Smarties, completely different from European Smarties.
** Lemon drops get a special dispensation.

[McGeek]

I agree w/ most of what's been said here: circus peanuts, mary janes and peanut butter kisses are all nasty. And HypnoToad's comment about eating the bit-o-honeys, but only after all your other candy's gone, gets a "Right On!" from me too.

HOWEVER, Candy Corn is one of my favorite things in the world. I have to restrain myself from buying it every time I see it in the store. The secret is there is only one decent brand and that is Brach's. Pretty much every other brand of candy corn I've ever tasted seems to be but a mockery made by the Dark Lord.
Is it possible some of you who hate it have not tried the true brand?

Also, I kind of like popcorn balls.

[rockle]

I love candy corn. LOVE. I steal it from my kid.

My least favorite Halloween candy was always Almond Joys, because I couldn't eat them, and my parents never let me trade them with my sisters for good stuff. Same goes for Now N Laters.

Do they still make Chunky bars? It was always a treat when I got those in my bag.

[ChordedZither]

they made my teeth hurt after about two of them.




:p

Because one of the unwritten rules of Halloween was that you were going to eat everything, even the candies that you really didn't like.

[badbadrubberpiggy]

Is it possible some of you who hate it have not tried the true brand?

Also, I kind of like popcorn balls.

Brach's is at least as nasty as any other brand of candy corn. Brach's is the brand I see most often, actually. I'm not a huge fan of most of their other candy, either - it always tastes over-sugared.

I like fresh popcorn balls, good ones. The ones most people put in Halloween bags are old, stale, store-bought ones, though, at least in my experience.

[blondebear]

I didn't like anything with a taffy or marshmallow-y texture.

My favorites were Big Chunks, Almond Joys, Peanut Butter Cups*, and yes, candy corn.


*Has anyone tasted a Reese's Peanut Butter Cups lately? My gawd, they're awful!!!

[salinqmind]

Dumb little lollipops that dissolve into a sharp sliver that cuts your tongue. The kind that you buy 100 for a dollar. Followed closely by Necco wafers. Runner up: Smartees!

[Dung Beetle]

:p

Because one of the unwritten rules of Halloween was that you were going to eat everything, even the candies that you really didn't like.

Well...yeah.

[The Real Regency Elf]

Interesting. Thought there would be a lot more hate for the coconut candies in here.

My least favorites were pixie sticks, jujubees and ring-pops, although as ChordedZither already said, I gamely ate them anyway because it was obligatory to do so.

This thread is giving me good ideas for nasty candy to hand out to the sullen teenagers who show up sans costume and silently thrust pillowcases under my nose.

[Olentzero]

Halloween means candy corn to me, just as Easter means Cadbury eggs - Creme, Caramel, and Mini. There's nothing more in the spirit of the holiday than cramming in a big ol' mouthful of candy corn and waiting for that sugar rush.

I also like those peanut butter kisses, but probably because they reminded me a lot of Goldenrod Peanut Butter Taffy, which was usually a pain in the butt to find once summer was over.

Good 'n' Plenty, on the other hand... NASTY. Lures you in with that candy-coated sugary promise, then spikes you right through the tongue with that infernal peg of licorice, as thick as one of Beelzebub's own nose hairs.

[norinew]

Bit-O-Honey, they would snap your teeth off.
Then you're eating them wrong! Here's the proper way to eat a Bit O' Honey:
unwrap carefully (if they are soft when you unwrap them, bits of wrapper may cling to the candy; this is undesirable). Put it in your mouth, so that the length of the candy most closely matches the shape of your mouth (IOW, don't put them in 'cross-ways'); let it rest between your tongue and the roof of your mouth until it becomes soft and pliable; chew like gum, only unlike gum, it will dissolve into tasty goodness after a few moments.

If this seems like too much trouble, just send yours to me (address upon request!);)

[NDP]

Circus Peanuts (http://www.bad-candy.com/candies/circuspeanuts/) reviewed at Bad Candy.

HOWEVER, Candy Corn is one of my favorite things in the world. I have to restrain myself from buying it every time I see it in the store. The secret is there is only one decent brand and that is Brach's. Pretty much every other brand of candy corn I've ever tasted seems to be but a mockery made by the Dark Lord.
Is it possible some of you who hate it have not tried the true brand?

I have but it is not the brand you heretically claim to be "true". The TRUE brand of candy corn is made by Goelitz (http://www.jellybelly.com/about_jelly_belly/company_history.aspx) (a.k.a., the Jelly Belly Company). Moreover, its hot cinnamon-flavored red Giant Corns are the modern equivalent of manna from heaven and even more rare to find.

(Actually, I'm rather indifferent about other brands of candy corn and the candy listed in the Huffington Post article. Due to my food allergies, my choices in the candy aisle are rather restricted so anything I can eat without getting sick is a plus to me.)

[Dr. Rieux]

Anything licorice.

[Ichini Sanshigo]

Candy corn (http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=4&p=001301) is awesome. Tootsie rolls (http://www.mspaintadventures.com/?s=4&p=001304), however, are an abomination unto the candy gods.

[thelurkinghorror]

I love candy corn.

And flavored tootsie rolls? What the hell? THose are AWESOME! My sisters and I used to get a bag of those and fight over who got the lime and vanilla ones.

I've never been a big fan of Nerds, though. Or any sour candy. And, of course, circus peanuts are horrible. If I wanted those, I've still got some packing peanuts leftover from the move I could eat.

I know, they're great. I don't like the regular chocolate tootsie rolls, but I might be in the minority here.

It's Christmas, not Halloween related, but candy cane kisses are the best. I don't like regular kisses or peppermint candy canes, but together something happens and they taste amazing.

[Duke]

That article made me sad. I love Sesame Crunch, Fruit-flavored Tootsie Rolls, and especially Necco wafers, which I used to share with my late mom when I was little. I can't look at Neccos without thinking of her. And my dad loves root beer barrels, and tygre loves candy corn.

Circus peanuts, I agree, are evil.

[panache45]

Does anyone still give rock candy? It's just a huge sugar crystal, guaranteed to break your teeth.

Everything else is good.

[jayjay]

:p

Because one of the unwritten rules of Halloween was that you were going to eat everything, even the candies that you really didn't like.

DUH!

Interesting. Thought there would be a lot more hate for the coconut candies in here.

Ugh! Like those coconut versions of Neapolitan ice cream (http://www.groovycandies.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=911&idcategory=136)? Bleah...and the little ones...Nonesuch? Something like that.

Yick. Coconut is like Jolly Rancher. It never dies. You're chewing it for HOOOUUUURRRRS! Long after it's lost all flavor, you're still chewing and can't somehow bring yourself to swallow. Bleah.

[D_Odds]

I would like to thank you all for planning my Halloween treats for this year.

Circus Peanuts
Mary Janes
Bit O' Honey
Peanut Butter Kisses

That's what happens when you give me the option to trick or treat. Tricks on youz guyz, you filthy rotten little beggars. Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

I'm reserving the SweeTarts (which only I like) & Candy Corn for myself

[runner pat]

Candy corn is Satan's baby teeth.

[Irishman]

I like circus peanuts and candy corn.

Peanut butter kisses and seasame crunch were always on my hate list. Bit-o-Honey were pretty bad too.

Also licorice, but my brother and sister love it. At least I could trade that.

I only tried Necco wafers recently - they are the gag.

[Angel of Doubt]

Gummy fruits - not the modern kind like gummy bears, but resembling the stuff found in fruitcakes and covered with pseudo-sugar that only emphasized the bitter machine-oil like taste they had. Anybody know what I mean? If you're over 50, you probably do and arel likely guilty of handing these things out.

[MissSwitac]

Good 'n' Plenty, on the other hand... NASTY. Lures you in with that candy-coated sugary promise, then spikes you right through the tongue with that infernal peg of licorice, as thick as one of Beelzebub's own nose hairs.

OMG!!! I'm dyin' here!! LOL!! Best description ever!
I HAAATE Good N Plenty. Yes, they're innocently pink & white and you happily suck away at the yummy sweetness for about 20 seconds and then blam! OMFG! the horror!
I just can't comprehend anyone actually ENJOYING the taste of black licorice. I'd rather have a liver souffle.*







*just kidding...that's hell food too.

[Markxxx]

I hated popcorn balls, and those orange and/or black raped wads of fake peanut butter.

There was always some retarded person who'd give out a toothbrush or something like that too.

I used to love the candy cigarettes and candy necklaces though. And candy corn was great, especially the chocolate candy corn.

[BKReporter]

Well, it seems as if some of that candy we've hating on may indeed really be evil, at least according to these people:

CBN warns against "demonic" Halloween candy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/christian-broadcasting-ne_n_338738.html

[Harmonious Discord]

Bit-O-Honey
Mary Janes
Peanut butter Kisses
Circus Peanuts
Horehound hard Candies. Stupid 90 year olds.:mad:

All 5 of those rank as the grossest candies given for Halloween. There were lots of didn't likes, but they were not gross.

Screw this crap about collecting for Unicef instead of candy too. The schools always push their moral agenda on the school kids and then berate you for not collecting instead of doing what most kids do on the holiday. Why didn't you collect money! You disappointed Jesus so he's sad today. :rolleyes:

[norinew]

I used to love the candy cigarettes and candy necklaces though.
But, if memory serves, candy necklaces are best in the summer, where you wear them all day, while playing kick ball, badminton, and volley ball, so you, y'know, sweat on it all day. This enhances the flavor of the candy in a subtle, nuanced, yet not-easily-reproduced way. :p

[Marley23]

I loathe candy corn. But it gave birth to a Lewis Black standup bit that my brothers love, so it will sort of even out if I can go the rest of my life without eating any of the stuff.

[Thudlow Boink]

I actually like the peanut butter kisses. If they're fresh. Not if they're off-brand leftovers from last Halloween.

[kenobi 65]

Hated circus peanuts and popcorn balls. I also wasn't a big fan of peanuts in general, so any candy with nuts in it was foisted off onto my sister.

[McGeek]

QUOTE from NDP: "...The TRUE brand of candy corn is made by Goelitz (a.k.a., the Jelly Belly Company)..."

OK, I spoke recklessly. Brachs may not be the only decent brand. My point was really just that some candy corn is great, while the knock-off stuff is not.

NDP, thanks for the heads up, I will definitely have to try Goelitz.

[Chopper9760]

I don't understand how original Tootsie Rolls can be so vile when the fruit flavored varieties are manna from candy heaven.

[norinew]

OK, I'm going to have to take issue with those of you that say Tootsie Rolls are not good. They are long-lasting, low-fat, chocolatey heaven! Of course, I have a special fondness for the other flavors of Tootsie Rolls, because when I was a kid, I had a toy called a "Toot Sweet" where you mooshed up the flavored Tootsie Roll until it was about the consistency of Play Doh, put the mass into the mold, pressed the handle down hard, let it 'set', and out would come a Tootsie Roll treat, shaped like a whistle, that you could actually whistle through. Then you could nom it.

Why I remember that, Og only knows. . .

[fiddlesticks]

I loved candy corn as a kid. I don't like it as much as I used to anymore but it surely isn't Satan's teeth to me. As a kid, any candy bar with nuts was awful. Yep, I hated Snickers, and Almond Joy and Chunky's were even worse.

But the worst for me were candy cigarettes. This was around 1980. A number of homes in my neighborhood handed those out. Evil bastards. And I also remember an odd "candy" that was a wax tube filled with colored liquid of some sort (NOT A GLOW STICK) ;). Not even sure what it was called or what it was supposed to be. I couldn't even get through the tube to the liquid (probably had loose teeth or something). Just threw the thing away.

[Countrypolitan]

Anything Gummy. Starlite mints. Peanut butter kiss-thingys. Tootsie Pops OTHER than chocolate-chocolate.

[gonzomax]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/christian-broadcasting-ne_n_338738.html?slidenumber=7LnkBM4THLY%3D#slide_image Forget it. Halloween is called off because it is demonic.

[gonzomax]

Easter has chocolate marshmallow eggs. That is a winner. Halloween does not go with marshmallows for some reason.

[AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet]

What about wax teeth or lips? THOSE were GROSS!

[racer72]

I hated Sugar Daddy's. They would gum up my teeth on the rare occasions I ate one. I would trade them for Sugar Babies. Mmmm, chewy goodness.

[joebuck20]

Jujubees, which serve as proof that a candy can be both gummy and superhard.

[norinew]

What about wax teeth or lips? THOSE were GROSS!

Bah! You know it! When I was a kid, and we'd all take our pennies down to the corner store to buy penny candy (back in those days, some candies were two for a penny!), I never could understand kids who would 'invest' their pennies in wax lips!
My pennies always went for: lemon heads; strange flavors of Twizzlers (to bite the ends off of and drink your Kool-Aid through); chocolate babies (which were known by a much less PC term at that time); Nick-l-nips; shoe button candies. And if I had a whole nickle to spare, a great big pickled onion!

[johnpost]

circus peanuts although bad they were better if fresh.

candy corn must be talc and wax or floor sweepings from the candy factory.

[Chicken Fingers]

Yay, I'll take those delicious Neccos, Circus Peanuts, Good N Plenty, and horehound candies off your hands.

You can have all my Mary Janes, Sugar Babies, all other sticky, chewy candies, jawbreakers, Charleston Chews, Boston Baked Beans, and Jujubes.

[Maiira]

Everyone thinks I'm nuts, but I hate tootsie rolls. By extension, I also hate tootsie roll pops. I just don't think chocolate should be...CHEWY. (Not that they taste very chocolatey anyway.)

I also dislike Bit-O Honey and plain wrapped hard candy.

[Taber]

I shouldn't have read this thread hungry.

[ethelbert]

While I certainly had my likes & dislikes, there was very little that I would not eat if it was in front of me, because, hey, SUGAR! I can remember many times I would say about a Tootsie Roll "Yeah, I hate these things", then eat it immediately afterword. Maybe I wouldn't eat Jujubes. Unless there was nothing else.

If you want a real treat, read Candyfreak (http://www.amazon.com/Candyfreak-Journey-through-Chocolate-Underbelly/dp/1565124219)by Steve Almond.

[ZenBeam]

He's not talking about Mary Janes. These are Mary Janes. (http://www.shamanshop.net/store/images/Images_GR/GR_736177.jpg)

What he's referring to are, apparently, called Peanut Butter Kisses. (http://www.groovycandies.com/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=793)

I agree that both are horrid.In that Peanut Butter Kisses link, it says the brand is NECCO. They seem to be responsible for half the bad candy mentioned. My wife likes NECCO wafers, but she has a lot of redeeming qualities, so I keep her anyway.

Circus Peanuts aren't Halloween candy to me. We got them in our Easter baskets. I wouldn't mind eating one every few years. How's that for a ringing endorsement?

[NoClueBoy]

poop

[Jeep's Phoenix]

Popcorn balls.

We didn't even wait to get home to throw those away. We'd chuck 'em out into a field, see who could throw the farthest. Or just whip 'em at each other. (Never at somebody's house though. My friends and I were good kids.:))
I have only had one popcorn ball in my life...they were distributed at my kindergarden Halloween party. These were homemade, and they had gumdrops in them! So yummy!

I don't get the hate for Necco wafers (though the sour ones are horrible). I've seen giant Smarties (U.S. version); those things are hideously sour! Regular-size Smarties are pretty inconsistent flavor-wise, but I like the texture.

Why was the article hating on root beer barrels? Some brands are better than others, but it's a pretty inoffensive candy compared to some of the other stuff listed.

And yes, you can still buy rock candy; I've never seen it in indiviudally wrapped portions though. Personally, I like the stuff, even though it shreds your tongue.

[Baker]

I don't think anyone has mentioned the absolutely worst candy yet.

Without a doubt it's root beer barrels.

What do I win?

[kayaker]

Bouillon cubes. Blech.

[norinew]

Bouillon cubes. Blech.
Especially the ones that are hand-dipped in Baker's chocolate, so you think they're something yummy and chocolate-covered! :p

Hey, I think I know what I'm giving the smart-ass teenagers who are trick or treating sullenly without even trying to pretend they're wearing a costume! ;)

[aruvqan]

I have only had one popcorn ball in my life...they were distributed at my kindergarden Halloween party. These were homemade, and they had gumdrops in them! So yummy!

I don't get the hate for Necco wafers (though the sour ones are horrible). I've seen giant Smarties (U.S. version); those things are hideously sour! Regular-size Smarties are pretty inconsistent flavor-wise, but I like the texture.

Why was the article hating on root beer barrels? Some brands are better than others, but it's a pretty inoffensive candy compared to some of the other stuff listed.

And yes, you can still buy rock candy; I've never seen it in indiviudally wrapped portions though. Personally, I like the stuff, even though it shreds your tongue.

You can make your own, we did it with my goddaughters a few years back for fun ...

directions (http://candy.about.com/od/hardcandyrecipes/r/rock_candy.htm) we made peppermint, ginger, lemon and cinnamon for using to sweeten teas and coffees. To get it on the stick you get the wooden lollipop sticks from a candy supply store. Otherwise, use the all cotton butchers twine for on string :)

They make great christmas presents, along with chocolate covered spoons (http://www.allfreecrafts.com/christmas/chocolate-covered-spoons.shtml) and various foods mixes in a jar (http://www.allfreecrafts.com/giftinajar/index.shtml)

[Bosstone]

I loathe candy corn. But it gave birth to a Lewis Black standup bit that my brothers love, so it will sort of even out if I can go the rest of my life without eating any of the stuff.Dang, I was hoping I'd be the first to reference (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8yuvMsvNqY) it.

Nasty crap.

[Angel of the Lord]

Sesame candies are the best thing ever. I never ever got them trick or treating, though; I had to go to a local candy store. They are amazing.

Peanut Butter Kisses are the worst, followed by root beer flavored candy, followed by all other hard candy not made by Werther's. Especially cinnamon and butterscotch discs. Yuck.

[LadyJane84]

I always hated getting the little bags of plain potato chips Blech! I mean I like chips OK but the only flavour I ever seemed to get was plain. Too salty and yet somehow bland.

[AboutAsWeirdAsYouCanGet]

EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWw....Werther's is so processed tasting.
chocolate babies (which were known by a much less PC term at that time); Bill Bryson has a funny bit about his grandmother always asking for one of those

[Roland Orzabal]

After reading the thread, I'm a bit confused. The title asks for your least favorite Halloween candy, which for me would be candy corn...but then the OP talks about Circus Peanuts. I mean, if we're including packaging materials as "candy", I'm going to have to vote for that thin pressed cardboard-maché stuff that computer hardware comes boxed in; it tastes at least 10% worse than Circus Peanuts.

Otherwise, candy corn it is. Ick.

[BigBertha]

Not sure what they Are, but they are pink and brown striped and seem taffy-like. My favorite was and still is Reeses Cups.

[ftg]

Seven Up Bars (no relation). Vile disgusting things. There was an old couple in the tiny town we lived in when I was little that would give them out. In addition to Halloween, they'd give them out to my brother and me when we went collecting for his paper route. (Which is why I went along, but other people would give us real candy or nickels.) The demise of Seven Up Bars is nowhere mourned.

There is nothing wrong with candy corn! It's not great, but nothing horrible compared to a bunch of other stuff.

[jellyblue]

OK, I'm going to have to take issue with those of you that say Tootsie Rolls are not good. They are long-lasting, low-fat, chocolatey heaven! Of course, I have a special fondness for the other flavors of Tootsie Rolls, because when I was a kid, I had a toy called a "Toot Sweet" where you mooshed up the flavored Tootsie Roll until it was about the consistency of Play Doh, put the mass into the mold, pressed the handle down hard, let it 'set', and out would come a Tootsie Roll treat, shaped like a whistle, that you could actually whistle through. Then you could nom it.

Why I remember that, Og only knows. . .
I had one of those too!!! And a fondness for, er, DIVERSE Tootsie Rolls for the same reason. Nothing beats candy you can play with first.

I completely concur on the Good 'n Plenty (such a waste of a good name, too!) - I'd practically CRY in frustration if that was all the candy available when I was a kid.

On the other hand, I found a bag of mini Mallow Cups on a panicked emergency run to Big Lots tonight (picture a line of people snaking around the store, each person clutching several bags of cheap candy...) Mmmm...mallow cups!

[Olentzero]

You can have all my... Charleston ChewsAwesome! sticks 'em all in the freezer for later

[aceplace57]

I remember Halloween candy came in these small, clear cellophane bags. They'd have maybe six jelly beans, or six candy corn, gum drops etc. As a kid it bugged me because there was so little in those bags. Then, you'd find a Snickers or other bar candy in the bag and eat that first.

I haven't seen that candy in a long time. I kind of miss it. My mom gave out thousands of those small, clear cellophane bags of candy as I grew up.