Swedish Candy vs American Candy
Swedish and American candy look similar but taste worlds apart. Here is how they really differ, from sourness to salty licorice to how it is sold.
Swedish candy is generally chewier, more sour, and less intensely sweet than American candy, with a whole salty-licorice category Americans rarely see. It is also sold loose as pick-and-mix by weight, while American candy is mostly pre-bagged by brand. The result is more variety and bolder flavor in a Swedish bag.
Flavor: sour and salty vs sweet
American candy leans sweet; Swedish candy is comfortable with sour and salty licorice. That is a big part of why Swedish candy is so good.
How it is sold
Pick-and-mix by weight in Sweden versus pre-bagged in the US. Mixing your own bag rewards quality piece by piece.
The Swedish Fish trap
Ironically, the candy Americans think is Swedish is not: Swedish Fish are American. Real Swedish candy is a much wider world. Build a bag and compare.
Keep reading
Gustav Lindqvist · Candy Master
Gustav grew up in Sweden on a strict Saturday-candy schedule, mixing his lördagsgodis bag at the lösgodis wall before he could spell salmiak. He has spent years tasting his way across Scandinavian candy, and now curates the range at TheSweetsTruck, from BUBS sour skulls to the saltiest licorice most people cannot finish.
Last updated 6/24/2026