# What's your culture's version of circus peanuts? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 31, 2026, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247 "2026-01-31T22:09:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/41 "2026-02-01T17:55:56Z")
> [@solost](#): > > …I got a taste for that odd combo of licorice and coconut… Uh…how?? I might have added that many things in a bad of liquorice allsorts have a disturbing texture as well - a certain grittiness, as I recall. j ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/42 "2026-02-01T20:13:06Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > From the same people I give you „refreshment sticks“ - little chocolate sticks filled with a very liquid lemony or orange substance. > > [Griesson Erfrischungssticks Orange-Zitrone 150g | Online kaufen im World of Sweets Shop](https://www.worldofsweets.de/Griesson-Erfrischungssticks-Orange-Zitrone-150g.328983.html?ex_s=google&ex_m=paid&ex_c=20252438861&ex_t=&ex_co=&ex_a=&ex_gid=Cj0KCQiAkPzLBhD4ARIsAGfah8hjfpxKHnDAiRJmH1SPShfwNuUVjzKN5ThqQrQX_FwMjmtlRqU3QZYaAvdzEALw_wcB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20247586695&gbraid=0AAAAAD-nrCp1wDV2hC58PM1VF0rhM7yOb&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkPzLBhD4ARIsAGfah8hjfpxKHnDAiRJmH1SPShfwNuUVjzKN5ThqQrQX_FwMjmtlRqU3QZYaAvdzEALw_wcB) I’ve seen something like this, but by the name “reception sticks,” presumably because they are served at receptions. Not at any reception I’ve ever attended. [![](https://www.instacart.com/image-server/699x699/filters:fill(FFF,true):format(webp)/www.instacart.com/assets/domains/product-image/file/large_b8c00cdf-1195-4ae5-8112-1e14ea49643c.png) ](https://www.instacart.com/image-server/699x699/filters:fill(FFF,true):format(webp)/www.instacart.com/assets/domains/product-image/file/large_b8c00cdf-1195-4ae5-8112-1e14ea49643c.png) ---
**Author:** ![Pitchmeister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pitchmeister/32/3459_2.png) [@Pitchmeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pitchmeister)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/43 "2026-02-01T21:03:55Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’ve seen something like this, but by the name “reception sticks,” presumably because they are served at receptions. Not at any reception I’ve ever attended. Those look some kind of solid - refreshment sticks have a filling you can actually drink, so you need to be careful when biting into them, lest you get all that syrup all over yourself. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/44 "2026-02-01T21:06:49Z")
> [@Pitchmeister](#): > > Those look some kind of solid - refreshment sticks have a filling you can actually drink, so you need to be careful when biting into them, lest you get all that syrup all over yourself. They are indeed very sugary, a coat of chocolate, then an inner coat of pure sugar containing practically flavored sugary water. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/45 "2026-02-01T22:28:08Z")
In the US, I’ve heard a lot of complaints about candy corn. This is a popular Halloween candy. The best way I can describe it is sugar-flavored wax. I like it quite a bit, but a lot of people don’t. I don’t think candy corn is as loathed as Peeps, though. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/46 "2026-02-02T00:25:55Z")
I must be some low-class trailer trash or something…I like candy corn. And peeps (but just the yellow ones). ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/47 "2026-02-02T00:29:25Z")
Well I wouldn’t be able to stand the banana things in the OP. Almost nothing is worse than artificial banana flavor. Sorry, circus peanuts. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/48 "2026-02-02T00:43:57Z")
I don’t eat candy often…😀 But I smelt the odd circus peanut. May have had a nibble. Banana is not the smell I get. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/49 "2026-02-02T01:16:01Z")
In our family, circus peanuts are treated with the horror they deserve. I once brought a dessert to Thanksgiving in which the offending ingredient was melted to unrecognizability. They never trusted me again. 😈 ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/50 "2026-02-02T01:24:51Z")
> [@Dung\_Beetle](#): > > In our family, circus peanuts are treated with the horror they deserve. I once brought a dessert to Thanksgiving in which the offending ingredient was melted to unrecognizability. They never trusted me again. 😈 - At least it wasn’t…you know. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/51 "2026-02-02T01:32:59Z")
> [@ThelmaLou](#): > > I’ve seen something like this, but by the name “reception sticks,” presumably because they are served at receptions. The idea is to use them to stir your coffee, supposedly. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/52 "2026-02-02T01:44:25Z")
> [@bump](#): > > Outside of grandmothers who put them in the dish in their front rooms/parlors, I can’t say I’ve ever seen them anywhere else. Ribbon candy falls in that same use-case as well. Never seen it outside of old ladies’ sitting rooms. They’re not so uncommon in places where you can purchase old fashioned candy in bulk. I saw some of those strawberry candies at a candy shop near Rockport, Texas just last month. And while I hate circus peanuts, I’ve never had trouble finding someone who admits to liking them. If it’s being sold in stores, someone’s eating it. ---
**Author:** ![ThelmaLou](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thelmalou/32/390_2.png) [@ThelmaLou](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ThelmaLou)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/53 "2026-02-02T02:18:52Z")
Oh. That sounds like a pretty good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/54 "2026-02-02T03:35:51Z")
I like licorice allsorts but rarely buy them. There are many fearsome candies. South Asian people are often fond of spicy tamarind bonbons which “combine all the flavours - heat, salt, sweet and sour”. This turns out to be a bad idea. Dutch and Danish people like super salty licorice and taking photographs of foreigners wincing while eating it. Try those before mocking allsorts… The worst Hallowe’en candy from Canada is a sort of tasteless molasses taffy. When we traded our booty at school no one would take these. “Kisses”. The company president claims 50% of people love them, which is hard to swallow. [![](https://i.cbc.ca/1.3824642.1477598942!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/kerr-s-molasses-kisses.jpg) ](https://i.cbc.ca/1.3824642.1477598942!/fileImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_780/kerr-s-molasses-kisses.jpg) Ranked last. Yet, some still defend them!?! [https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/in-defense-kerrs-molasses-kisses-1.3824498](https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/in-defense-kerrs-molasses-kisses-1.3824498) ## Q: Your company has been around since 1895? Yes and we’ve been making the Kisses for 75 years ## Q: Was there a heyday? When was the golden age of the Molasses Kiss? You know what? It’s still continuing. We sell out every single year. It’s one of those items they look for, they ask us, we’re inundated with phone calls and emails this time of year about when to find them. We keep increasing production every year and they sell out every single year. ---
**Author:** ![PatrickLondon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/patricklondon/32/4422_2.png) [@PatrickLondon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatrickLondon)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/55 "2026-02-02T07:42:37Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Dutch and Danish people like super salty licorice and taking photographs of foreigners wincing while eating it Not liquorice, but in the UK you can get the same reaction if sucking one of these: > **[Fisherman’s Friend | Never be Without a Friend](https://fishermansfriend.com/en-gb)** > > Welcome to the homepage for Fisherman’s Friend, home of the world famous Fisherman’s Friend lozenge. Discover our range of flavours and learn about our history. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/56 "2026-02-02T08:57:01Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > The idea is to use them to stir your coffee, supposedly. Who in fuck’s name wants _lemon_ flavored coffee?!? ---
**Author:** ![Johanna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johanna/32/8318_2.png) [@Johanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johanna)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 9:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/57 "2026-02-02T09:03:48Z")
A demitasse of espresso with a twist of lemon is a classic in Italy. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/58 "2026-02-02T09:07:47Z")
I’m with @Treppenwitz on the Licorice Allsorts. Many kinds of revolting, and yet strangely ubiquitous in my youth. I do, however, quite like Turkish Delight, even the flowery ones. I remember my sister having a foreign exchange with a French girl in the late 70s, who came to stay with us. We gave her parma violets - a sugery sweet which literally tastes like pot pourri or soap, and she thought they were the most disgusting things she’d ever eaten ‘Ugh I’m eating flowers’, she proclaimed in excellent english. > **[Parma Violets](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parma_Violets)** > > Parma Violets are a British violet-flavoured tablet confectionery manufactured by the Derbyshire company Swizzels Matlow, named after the Parma violet variety of the flower. The sweets are hard, biconcave discs, similar to the Fizzers product from the same company but without their fizziness. Swizzels Matlow have also released a line of Giant Parma Violets. > Ingredients include sugar, stearic acid, modified starch, glucose syrup, and anthocyanin. > The petals of violets have long been used in h... ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 10:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/59 "2026-02-02T10:06:59Z")
Dear God, Parma Violets, I had forgotten about them. The flavour… the only thing I can liken it to is - in the UK and I assume elsewhere, you used to be able to get big tabletty things that you could hook over the rim of your toilet bowl, which stank intensely of artificial flowers. To overwhelm the inevitable odours, y’know. Truly awful. Another childhood sweet which springs to mind, and which also still exists, is Black Jacks. Now, I haven’t touched these in sixty years, but they used to be cheap, somewhat bitter, devoid of any flavour found in nature, and so thoroughly attached to the waxed paper wrapper that often times the only way to eat them was to eat the wrapper as well. I think I need therapy now. j ETA: > **[Black Jack (confectionery)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Jack_(confectionery))** > > Black Jack is a type of "aniseed flavour chew" according to its packaging. It is a chewy confectionery manufactured under Valeo Confectionery's Barratt brand in UK and Spain. Introduced in the 1920s by Trebor, the wrapper originally showed gollywogs on it. > The recipe has varied over the years. In 2021 the ingredients were: glucose syrup, sugar, palm oil, colour (vegetable carbon), hydrolysed pea protein, citric acid, aniseed oil, acidity regulator (trisodium citrate). > Each 250 g pack contains ... Interestingly Fruit Salad are mentioned under “See Also”.. They, likewise, required you to eat the wrapper, but were otherwise the acceptable face of awful. ---
**Author:** ![pjd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pjd/32/3009_2.png) [@pjd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjd)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 11:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/60 "2026-02-02T11:30:50Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > a disturbing texture as well - a certain grittiness, as I recall. Maybe the ones which are licorice jelly (jello) coated with tiny hard candy balls / hundreds & thousands type thingies. - The blue ones in this picture :- [![](https://oldestsweetshop.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/liquorice_allsorts_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1592813587) ](https://oldestsweetshop.co.uk/cdn/shop/products/liquorice_allsorts_1024x1024@2x.jpg?v=1592813587) As it 'appens.. I like licorice allsorts. And Turkish delight. And blackjacks. And danish salted licorice (GaJol !) There. I said it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247.md?page=4)