# 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:** 4
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/61 "2026-02-02T11:43:09Z")
I don’t understand why it’s trendy on the internet to hate Turkish Delight - the real thing is quite sublime. I was a little younger than Edmund when I lived in Cyprus where we could buy it direct from little shops making it by the roadside, but I rather like the stuff - best enjoyed in contrast to a really strong cup of unsweetened black coffee, as I later discovered. ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 11:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/62 "2026-02-02T11:56:21Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > You forgot to mention “turkish delight”, which was a sad let-down for millions of younger Narnia readers when they actually tried it. My mum used to, mainly for reasons of cost as single mum, make sweets of various kinds at Xmas for gifts to family and friends. Turkish Delight was one, using real roses to create rose syrup - she was an enthusiastic gardener. I don’t recall the recipe but I suspect animal-hoof based gelatine was involved… It was really good. ---
**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, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/63 "2026-02-02T12:12:37Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > Another childhood sweet which springs to mind, and which also still exists, is Black Jacks. Ugh, Black Jacks are disgusting. And also turn your mouth black. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/64 "2026-02-02T12:24:05Z")
Dr. Paprika hit the nail on the head with the Canadian candy Halloween Kisses. I think the key to their longevity is that they’re one of the cheapest Halloween candies you can buy. > [@bump](#): > > You might have got some old haw candy then; the ones I’ve had have been pretty tasty- kind of like a fruit-roll-up type texture, but from haw fruit. Those are two different candies (the powdery disks and the fruit roll-up). They’re both OK, but I don’t like the preserved plums (or most other salty candy, for that matter). [![](https://www.tntsupermarket.com/media/catalog/product/7/2/7215460121712177501_1.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=160&height=160&fit=cover) ](https://www.tntsupermarket.com/media/catalog/product/7/2/7215460121712177501_1.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=160&height=160&fit=cover) [![](https://www.tntsupermarket.com/media/catalog/product/7/8/7860100101686853521_1.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=160&height=160&fit=cover) ](https://www.tntsupermarket.com/media/catalog/product/7/8/7860100101686853521_1.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=160&height=160&fit=cover) ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/65 "2026-02-02T13:45:09Z")
> [@solost](#): > > > [@puzzlegal](#): > > > > I like licorice allsorts. > > > [@Filbert](#): > > > > I like licorice allsorts… > > I like licorice allsorts! > [@pjd](#): > > As it 'appens.. I like licorice allsorts. Say it loud! Say it proud! ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/66 "2026-02-02T16:00:15Z")
> [@Johanna](#): > > A demitasse of espresso with a twist of lemon is a classic in Italy. And a punchline in _L.A. Story_. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/67 "2026-02-02T16:20:20Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > South Asian people are often fond of spicy tamarind bonbons which “combine all the flavours - heat, salt, sweet and sour” There are similar sounding Mexican tamarindo candies with salt and chilie-lime. I think they’re mostly pulp, by volume. I’ve also seen little packets of tamarind paste, like a transparent takeout soy sauce or hot mustard pouch. I wish tamarind was more popular. ---
**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, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/68 "2026-02-02T17:12:28Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > The blue ones in this picture :- Also known as horse cakes. Or spogs. ---
**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, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/69 "2026-02-02T17:51:32Z")
I never knew that ! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/70 "2026-02-02T18:11:03Z")
I like licorice allsorts too! I think because they’re like fancy Good ‘N Plenty. I love candy corn. Peeps and Circus Peanuts are ok. I really like most candy. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/71 "2026-02-02T18:11:29Z")
> [@pjd](#): > > coated with tiny hard candy > balls / hundreds & thousands type thingies. - The blue ones in this picture Since we’re here fighting ignorance, those hard little candy ball blue things are _nonpareils_, a venerable decorative confection well known to bakers and candy makers. …Nonpareil means having no equal; peerless, describing something or someone of unequaled excellence, but it also refers to tiny, round sugar candies … that are literally “without equal” in their tiny size and delicacy…[AI] ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/72 "2026-02-02T18:31:03Z")
How much of the hatred of licorice allsorts is just hatred of licorice of all types? It’s a polarizing flavor. People usually either love it or hate it. I like licorice, but I know people who despise it. On the other hand, almost everyone hates circus peanuts. So why are they still made? Who buys them? Do the people who like them buy so many that it justifies their continued production? ---
**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, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/73 "2026-02-02T19:40:44Z")
For us benighted furriners, why “circus” peanuts? ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/74 "2026-02-02T19:43:23Z")
Because they’re molded to resemble in-shell peanuts. [![](https://castironlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/flavor-peanut-circus-candy-orange.jpg) ](https://castironlane.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/flavor-peanut-circus-candy-orange.jpg) ---
**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, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/75 "2026-02-02T19:53:06Z")
OIC. Disappointing when you try to crack open the “shell”. ---
**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 2, 2026, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/76 "2026-02-02T19:58:16Z")
And why “circus”? Because you used to give (real) peanuts to the elephants? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/77 "2026-02-02T20:39:59Z")
Circus peanuts still sound better than South African sweet peanuts, which were filled with peanut butter. Yuck. > **[https://i.redd.it/yph6wdfreunc1.jpeg](https://i.redd.it/yph6wdfreunc1.jpeg)** > [@Mangetout](#): > > I don’t understand why it’s trendy on the internet to hate Turkish Delight Yep…and with the tired Narnia “jokes”. Every. Single. Time. Proper Turkish Delight is wonderful. I also like allsorts. A lot. > [@scudsucker](#): > > I don’t recall the recipe but I suspect animal-hoof based gelatine was involved… Should just be starch. > [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > Since we’re here fighting ignorance, those hard little candy ball blue things are _nonpareils_ Hundreds-and-thousands are a perfectly correct name for them. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/78 "2026-02-02T20:57:39Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I don’t understand why it’s trendy on the internet to hate Turkish Delight - the real thing is quite sublime. I wonder if the people who claim to dislike Turkish Delight have never had the real thing. Disclaimer – I’ve never actually had Turkish Delight of any form as far as I can recall. But Tasting History did a video on it recently. Apparently British confectioners tried to recreate the stuff, and, well, they screwed it up. I wonder if that’s the version these people had. He concurs that the proper version from Turkey or Greece is quite wonderful. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MgswDy8PMAA/maxresdefault.jpg "What is Turkish Delight? How to make real Ottoman Turkish Delight.") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgswDy8PMAA) ---
**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, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/79 "2026-02-02T21:04:40Z")
> [@scudsucker](#): > > Turkish Delight was one, using real roses to create rose syrup - she was an enthusiastic gardener. I don’t recall the recipe but I suspect animal-hoof based gelatine was involved… > > It was really good. I can accept that, certainly. I mean I dont care for grits, but a cook buddy of mine made some especially for me that were excellent. I have had mass produced Turkish Delight, and sure I didnt spit it out, but I didnt reach for another piece either. I’d rate it “meh”. This issue isnt that TD isnt edible or even kinda tasty when done right, it is that after the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe, it is a let down. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2026, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247/80 "2026-02-02T21:06:03Z")
I’ve never read the Narnia books, so when I first had Turkish Delight, I wasn’t burdened with expectation. I like the stuff just fine. An above-average confectionary for me, but, yeah, not one to trade your soul or family for, or whatever it is that happens in the books, [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-your-cultures-version-of-circus-peanuts/1027247.md?page=5)