5 Popular Candies in Scandinavia That Are Worth Trying

If you think you know candy, Scandinavia might make you reconsider. Yes, you may have tasted popular Scandinavian candy flavors that are available all over the world, but the real experience of walking into a Nordic sweet shop and facing an entire wall of unfamiliar options is something every candy enthusiast has to experience at least once. 

Scandinavian countries, like Norway, Sweden, or Denmark, are famous for salty, chewy candies that taste pretty much different from the usual Western treats. In this article, we’ll discuss 5 of the most popular sweet treats from these countries.  

1. Ahlgrens Bilar (Swedish Cars)

Ahlgrens Bilar is probably the most universally loved candy that comes from Scandinavia. In particular, it’s a Swedish candy that means “Ahlgren’s cars” and is also famous as “Swedish cars” because of its shape. For most Swedes, it’s more like a childhood memory than a simple candy. But even as a foreigner, chances are that you’ll enjoy its soft texture and fruity flavors that come in white, pink, and red colors. 

You can easily find this iconic candy in every Swedish supermarket, and they’re almost always sold in bulk bags because no one ever wants just a few. These days, Ahlgrens Bilar are so popular in Swedish pop culture that they’re often at parties, road trips, game nights, and pretty much any casual gathering where someone thought to grab a bag on the way over. Thus, whether you’re gathering to play online games at sites like Yepcasino or just organizing a simple movie night with friends, a bag of these little candy cars on the table is always a must-have.

2. Salty Licorice Candy

It’s hard to think of Scandinavian sweet treats without mentioning licorice. That’s because licorice candy is considered an iconic part of Nordic food culture. Licorice, in general, is an herb that is famous for its antioxidant properties, which is why it was widely used in ancient Egypt, China, Greece, Rome, and India. Later, Scandinavian people turned this herb into a candy. Thus, we can easily say licorice candy is one of the most unique sweets in the world.

Even if you have tried typical licorice candy, which is now produced worldwide, in Scandinavian countries, you can come across a salty version of this chewy candy, shaped in various forms, such as coins, fish, or pipes, or even have it as a powder.

3. Swedish Fish

While Swedish Fish is connected to Sweden and, therefore, Scandinavia, interestingly, this candy is much more popular abroad. Swedish Fish are chewy gummies that are shaped like fish and taste like fruit. It was a true hit in North America from the moment the country started exporting it in the 1950s. Ever since, it has been an integral part of American candy culture.

Surprisingly, in Sweden, Swedish Fish is just one of the many candy options, and locals don’t really find it special. Still, the original Swedish version is a little bit different from what’s sold internationally. If you ever get the chance to try them in Sweden, you might notice a difference in both texture and flavor.

4. Daim

Daim candies and bars are popular worldwide. Little do candy lovers know that their favorite sweet treat actually originates in Sweden. In fact, Daim was first created back in 1953 by the confectionery company Marabou. This Swedish company now operates under Mondelez International and is still a significant part of the Nordic food culture.

People worldwide usually know Daim as a crunchy almond caramel candy with a milk chocolate filling. But in Nordic countries, Daim isn’t only a chocolate bar, and they also use Daim in various desserts. For example, you can find Daim as an ice cream topping, a cake ingredient, and a dessert garnish.

5. Skipper’s Pipes

If you’re a licorice candy lover, you shouldn’t miss Skipper’s Pipes whenever you’re in Scandinavia. This is another classic in Nordic countries, which might not be as popular as Swedish Fish internationally, but doesn’t taste any less impressive. The name of this candy comes from the shape. Each piece looks like a small smoking pipe, which is another reason why vintage candy lovers adore it so much.

If you find typical salty licorice candy a little bit too much, that’s another reason why you should instead try Skipper’s Pipes. The thing is, the licorice used in this candy is usually softer and milder, and therefore, it doesn’t taste as intense as other salty varieties you’ll find in the region.

Bottom Line

As you can see, the Scandinavian candy industry is much more diverse and interesting than it may seem at first glance. While most typical candies are soft and chewy in this region, you can find various options that will indeed satisfy your sweet tooth. Just aim to try the salty licorice first, and if you happen to survive that, everything else will feel like a reward.