The last word on Halloween treats
Let’s put a wrapper on this debate over Halloween candy.
Disclaimer: Although I’m widely considered a guru on this subject, I have to confess a bias for chocolate.
But as you’ll discover, I’m not alone.
First of all, let’s deal with the proven evidence that Idahoans bought more Candy Corn over a seven-year period (2011-2017) than any other treat.
That might be true, but if it applies to any of us around here, uh …
Its fans are hard to find.
“I’m pretty sure that’s a Boise thing,” said Jen Hall, an employee of the Super 1 in Rathdrum, while prowling the candy aisle. “I don’t mind Candy Corn personally, but it’s all sugar so too much … yuck!”
Jen looked for the Candy Corn display and found only one small box crammed into a cave-like space on the shelf.
“This might tell you we don’t sell really a lot,” she said.
CandyStore.com conducted a survey of 40,000 customers nationwide, plus adding in lists from several news outlets — BuzzFeed, Business Insider, Huffington Post, Fox News, Houston Press, PlayBuzz and even Bon Apetit.
The goal was to identify the 10 worst Halloween goodies, and Candy Corn limped in as the second-worst.
Deservedly so.
Whoever is eating this stuff down in the uncivilized part of Idaho, please go have a blood test and see your physician as soon as possible.
By the way, No. 1 on the worst-candy list was Circus Peanuts — and if you don’t recognize the name, consider yourself lucky.
NOW THEN, let’s talk about real Halloween delights.
Myself, I have an interchangeable top three that includes Snickers (even the tiny ones), Butterfinger and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Note that they have very distinctive flavors, but they’re all covered with chocolate.
You were warned about me and chocolate, remember?
An informal survey of clerks at a few local stores — Super 1 in Rathdrum, Safeway on Government Way in Coeur d’Alene, and Albertson’s down by the Kootenai Health complex — turned into pretty much a tie between Reese’s and Snickers for tops on their Halloween season list.
Small bags of M&Ms were mentioned, too.
Obviously, I can’t prove anything from such a limited look at sales around here, but the fact that everyone seemed to mention the same candies, um …
Kind of a tip-off.
SO NOW we move to CandyStore.com’s survey, and for their grand and delicious top 10 Halloween candies, they asked their own customers and added in lists from BuzzFeed, Business Insider, 24/7 Wall Street, HelloGiggles, The Week, Thrillist and Mental Floss.
You’d have to call that a pretty widespread collection of sources, yes?
OK, here are their top five: Reese’s, Snickers, Twix, Kit Kat and M&Ms.
Yep, chocolate on every one.
A couple of special notes here: Reese’s was a blowout winner, turning up No. 1 on six of seven lists.
And per The New York Times, if you ever happen to be in Tokyo, you might be able to buy a house in exchange for a box of Kit Kats.
Times reporters have found that Kit Kats have something of a cult-like status in Japan, so take your own on a trip.
They’ll be hard to find.
You know, this is all very interesting, but I’m beginning to salivate.
Time to raid the Halloween stash.
I’ll replace everything, kids.
Promise.
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Steve Cameron is a columnist for The Press, and he’s gained 12 pounds since starting The Great Candy Debate.
A Brand New Day appears from Wednesday through Saturday each week.
Steve’s sports column runs on Tuesday.
Email: scameron@cdapress.com
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