Although it's unclear which country was the
first to create candy, the earliest signs that
humans crave something sweet can be found in cave drawings dating all the way back to 16,000 BC. Since then, candy has morphed into all sorts of confections, ranging from sweet to sour. Let's take a look at
candy around the world. Invented in Germany in 1922, gummy bears might be the most ubiquitously loved candies on the planet. These days, Haribo produces 100 million chewy, colorful gummy
bears every single day. And while Haribo produces gummy candy in every shape, size, and flavor, the original gummy bear flavors raspberry, orange, strawberry,
pineapple, and lemon are still timeless classics. Originating from the hawthorn fruit, haw flakes are pink, disc-shaped candies that come in packaging designed to look like Chinese fireworks. Though they look like wafers, these candies are chewy, sweet, and tangy and can be served with tea. Lucas Salsagheti are
watermelon-flavored string candies designed to replicate
a plate of spaghetti. The fruity gummies come with a gusano tamarind sauce packet, creating a sticky mix of
sweet, spicy, and sour flavors sure to give your taste buds a tingle. Turkish delights are
soft and chewy candies made from sugar and cornstarch. They're doused in powdered sugar to keep these sticky
treats from congealing and to add a little extra sweetness. They come in almost any
flavor you can imagine, from floral to nutty. Just be careful when you eat them -- you'll get a face covered
in confectioners' sugar. And, yes, these are the same candies from "The Chronicles of Narnia." The Dutch are the top
licorice eaters on the planet. A favorite are these licorice bites, shaped like the canal
houses that line Amsterdam. The strong, sharp scent
of licorice hits your nose the second the bag is cut open, and the flavor is even stronger, with a smooth texture
that melts in your mouth. Rock candy is actually just sugar that's crystallized onto a thin string, giving it a sticklike shape. This particular rock candy
is infused with saffron, which gives it a bright orange color with a sweet aroma and taste. The candy can be eaten
whole, dissolved into tea, or even used in cooking. These Ukrainian toffees are
made from soft and chewy caramel that have a variety of fruit fillings, like apricot, strawberry,
blueberry, and orange. The sticky, bitter caramel melts together with a soft, fruity jelly, leaving a toffee that isn't overly sweet, so you're guaranteed to
eat more than you planned. These heart-shaped gummies pack a fruity strawberry-cream scent that
takes you back to childhood. The candy's consistency is
less chewy and more fluffy, with the sugar coating adding just the right touch of texture. If you're a banana lover, Banankos are the candy for you. These banana-shaped puffs
have a pungent smell with a spongy, foamlike filling and a rich chocolate shell. Though the filling looks like marshmallow, it's a bit more grainy and dense. Since the 1880s, saltwater taffy has been an American staple. A favorite candy to grab on the boardwalk, these colorful candies
are made from hot sugar that's pulled until it's
airy, sticky, and malleable and so soft it melts in your mouth. They come in a huge variety of flavors, from peach and watermelon to maple, chocolate, and peppermint. Vidal was one of the very first companies to popularize gummies in Spain. They make gummies in all
kinds of fun shapes and sizes, but these frogs are the perfect cross of friends and food, with a unique sweet and spicy cinnamon-strawberry flavor. These cute porky gummies have just the right balance of sweet and sour. They're dual textured -- the piggy's face is marshmallowy, and the ears are chewy. The gummies' shape alludes to
the use of real pork gelatin, but there are also vegetarian options, which use pea protein and beeswax. Coconut drops are a simple but delicious traditional Jamaican candy that is made from fresh
coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon, and powdered ginger. The toffee-like confection is a mix of crunchy, soft, and chewy, with the coconut chunks covered in caramelized sugar that
sticks to your teeth. Maynards wine gummies are fruit
gumdrops popular in Canada. These candies come in
a few different shapes that are labeled with
different types of vino. Though they don't actually
taste like the adult beverage, but instead a variety of flavors like lime, black currant,
raspberry, orange, and lemon. Kasugai has been making candy
in Japan since the 1920s. The gummy candies come
in all kinds of flavors, from kiwi and muscat to lychee and mango to yuzu and strawberry. Palitos de la Selva is one of the most popular candies in Argentina. The cylindrical confections are dual-toned to represent the strawberry
and vanilla flavors. They're the perfect treat for kids, since the wrappers feature
different cartoon animals with fun descriptions meant to teach children about wildlife. This chocolate-covered
pineapple confection provides a unique flavor that
is surprisingly irresistible. The tanginess of the pineapple mixed with the dark-chocolate outer layer makes for the perfect tropical treat. They are soft at room temperature, like a spongy marshmallow, but you can put them in the freezer for an extra-chewy bite. These marshmallow-shaped butter mints are the perfect blend of
creaminess and freshness and are sure to melt in your mouth. Unlike most hard candies, these are so soft you can
chew them immediately, without letting them roll around in your mouth until they melt -- ideal to pop heading into a date. Dufour Big Frut jellies
are bursting with flavor, but despite the sugar coating, they're not overly sweet. These jiggly candies
are so soft and light, you hardly need to chew them. Each package comes with
a variety of flavors, like raspberry, strawberry,
blueberry, and gooseberry. These Styrofoam-like wafers
might not look like much, but they hide a fun surprise. The saucer-shaped crackers are filled with colorful, sweet bead candy. The wafer is often compared
to Eucharist biscuits. Light and airy, they
dissolve almost immediately to reveal the sweet and
crunchy prize inside. Crack into the hard outer shell of these Trululu egg-shaped candies, past the supersweet white chocolate, to find a gummy bear hidden on the inside. With a texture like popping
an M&M with a Haribo, the unusual mix of crunchy,
chocolaty, and chewy hits every texture you
want from confections. If you're looking for an adventure, the complex flavor of
Tyrkisk Peber is for you. It is a salmiak candy,
which starts off sweet but gets saltier as it dissolves. As if that weren't enough, the hollow inside has a
pinch of black pepper, which adds a hint of heat to the mix. So, which candy do you want to try? Are there any we missed? Let us know in the comments below.
