First, my Principles about candy selection.
We’re talking old school, packaged candy offerings at newsstands, not what’s on offer at some monstrous emporium like Dylan’s or Nutz.
Rule: if you find yourself in a place where you have to scoop your candy, leave!
I’ll never understand people who prefer Milky Way to Snickers. Maybe that’s my problem or maybe I’m just right.
Candy corn is ONLY acceptable at Halloween.
This is for at-home consumption, not for the movies, an entirely different situation as popcorn becomes part of the equation.
A good, if not great, candy selection is all about the combinations of tastes., textures and sizes. For this reason, the only non-candy selection allowed in the mix is incredibly versatile Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips.
An Example of a Well-Thought Out, Five-Handed Candy Selection
Of course you need chocolate, so go with smooth Snickers, the King of candy bars. and a staple of any candy selection.
Butterfingers, which adds crunch and peanut butter taste.
Good n’ Plenty for licorice and also for a smaller bite size variety, a factor often sadly overlooked.
Something gummy; go with Chuckles. Those five pieces will never let you down.
Finally, for tang and an explosion of additional and oppositional flavors, the afore mentioned Sour Cream and Onion Potato Chips.
I could have played it safe and posted about politics or religion.
But Substack is all about no fear, putting yourself out there, and being willing to tackle controversial subjects.
Like candy.
If I’ve offended anyone, tough. I’ll see you in the comments.
Snickers, Payday, PB M&M's, SweetTart Gummies, Ruffles
"Peanuts in peanut butter nougat." That was the promise of Snickers when I was growing up. Given that I loathe peanut butter (not an allergy, just a visceral aversion), Milky Way was the clear preference. Also, since Milky Way comes in a dark or 'midnight' version, that cinches the deal. Those mini Snickers were always the first to go when we swapped candy after the Hallowe'en haul.
Butterfingers are as loathsome to peanut butter dislikers as are Snickers.
Chuckles are great, but I don't like the licorice flavor. As a result, I feel I'm paying a premium for the flavors I like (note that I pay this premium willingly). It's difficult, however, to give away one opened Chuckle, and I don't like to waste candy.
Good 'n' Plenty? Only one of those is true. See rationale for Chuckles.
Sour Cream & Onion potato chips are great, but they aren't candy, as you point out.
My alternate slate of candy electors?
- Milky Way
- Caramello (By Cadbury)
- Swedish Fish
- Mike & Ike (Good & Plenty's hipper cousin)
- and for the non-candy selection, Goldfish crackers.
And candy corn? While I agree that October 31 is the only acceptable day to see this confection, does anyone actually enjoy eating candy corn? I don't.