Halloween 2017: The Worst Candy And The Best

Can we all agree that the best Halloween candy must have chocolate in it? Evidently not. Georgia loves Swedish Fish, while California loves the classic M&Ms, Florida and New Jersey both go nuts for Skittles, and Illinois and New York trick-or-treaters gobble Sour Patch Kids, says one seller of sweets. But other states prefer a Hershey bar, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Butterfinger.

Maybe we can call agree that licorice, Necco Wafers and Circus Peanuts are a crime against nature, and deserve to be on the list of worst Halloween candies. Candy corn is a divisive treat, ranking high on many "worst" lists, with just as many vocal defenders. It's the No. 1 seller in Alabama. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Candy corn is the quintessential Halloween treat for some, while others use it as a decorating prop. Comedian Lewis Black has a whole rant about candy corn, which he describes as “which is neither candy, nor corn," and suggests all candy corn in existence was made in 1914 and recycled annually.

Watch: One Full Minute Of The Best Stock Footage We Could Find Of People Eating Sweets

It’s a big deal for candy-makers and businesses leading up to the holiday. On a typical week Americans spend $300 million on candy, but experts say U.S. candy sales should hit $2.7 billion for Halloween 2017, studies estimate.

So, it's time to find the perfect Halloween costume and start watching your favorite spooky Halloween movies. And you need to stockpile candy to hand out. Online candy distributor Candy Store dug into various lists and surveyed 40,000 customers to compile its rankings of the best and worst Halloween candies.

»What is your favorite candy, Hudson Valley? Tell us in comments.

According to the business, Circus Peanuts is the stuff of nightmares and Lewis Black was right about candy corn. Candy Store says of Circus Peanuts:

"I’d completely forgotten about these! Or, more accurately, I’d blocked them out. There is no way to describe the vileness that is Circus Peanuts. I have to believe that they weren’t rated as the worst on everyone’s list because they, too, blocked these inedible monstrosities from their memories."

Candy Corn was ranked No. 2 for worst candy, followed by was cola botttles, Necco Wafers and Peanut Butter Kisses, which are NOT the same as Reese's Peanut Cups, a fan favorite.

And of No. 2 worst treat candy corn, the author said:

"Look, if you don’t like candy corn, you can just give it to me. Yes, it’s just sugar. Isn’t that the point? Candy corn is nothing special. There are absolutely better candies out there. But if you can’t enjoy stuffing handfuls of candy corn into your pie hole, well, I don’t even know what to tell you."

As for the best candies? Candy Store says they are Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Snickers, Twix, Kit Kat and M&Ms. The common ingredient there? Chocolate. Nuff said.

Written by Deb Belt (Patch National Staff)

Images used with permission of Candy Store