Life is like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’re going to get. Or so the line goes…but, with Valentine’s Day fast approaching, we here at Cheapflights thought you might welcome more certain ways to impress your loved one. And, what better way to keep them sweet (other than a trip to a romantic destination) than with a box of exotic candies?
So, candy boys and girls, think of this as your very own Valentine’s (Charlie) Bucket list of 14 candy kingdoms to shop for sugar (and sweet treats) from around the world – we’ll give you more options to chew on than Violet Beauregarde.
Golden tickets at the ready, buckle up and it’s chocs away – we’re as excited as, well, a kid in one of THOSE stores: in the words of the song: “let’s separate the sorrow and collect up all the cream…”
Dublin, Ireland
The shrine to St Valentine would seem an apposite, if macabre, place to start our hunt for sweets for your sweet for lovers’ (or should that be candy-lovers’) favourite saint day.
The Carmelite church on Whitefriar Street Dublin claims to hold “the sacred bones” of the saint of things romantic, although the church also concedes that “it is quite possible that the Church of Praxedes, in Rome, does have some of the remains of the saint”.
No matter; the Irish capital has no shortage of candy; from sinful Bailey’s and Guinness-flavoured chocolates to sweetie shamrocks – and, taking our cue from the Carmelite church, we’re also in sharing mood.
The recently-established Butler’s Chocolate Cafés – tagline: purveyors of happiness (!) – are dotted around the city and if you’re feeling brave you can take the kids to the Butlers chocolate experience to produce their own edible souvenir.
Feeling nostalgic? Get yourself over to traditional sweet shop Aunty Nellies and their wall of candy jars for an old style pick’n’mix experience, hunting out Glucose Barleys, Rosey Apples and traditional Peggy’s Legs (that’s sticks of rock to you and me..)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The capital of The Netherlands has longstanding associations with candy as a major cocoa and sugar importer – and home of the cocoa press. But if you’re looking for some particularly Dutch tastes, head for the Albert Cuyp Market for StroopWafels (ok, not officially candy – but sweet) to balance on your coffee; or Zout, ‘salty’, Licorice (ok, not officially sweet – but candy).
For sheer garishness and out-of-this-world candy craziness – and lots of psychedelic smilies – Amsterdam’s Candy Freaks is hard to beat. Offering natural, organic, sugar-free, Gelatine-free, Dairy-free vegetarian and vegan varieties you could almost claim it was a health store.
For the broader-minded there are ‘novelty candies’ – including candy bras, phallus marshmallows, liquorice boobs and even candy breast tassels. Who says sweets aren’t the way to your partner’s, um, heart?
Brussels, Belgium
We’re bringing out the big guns and headed for Brussels, Belgium next. This place caters for your chocolate desires, with chocolate artisans creating your every whim – and a few more besides. Giant chocolate manta ray? Check! Chocolate recreations of the famous Manneken Pis? Check! Earl Grey Tea chocolates to go with your Tea? Check!
Leonidas, Neuhaus and Godiva are the big boys – but if you’re after truly Bons bon bons, gourmets will point you in the direction of artisan praline producers. Pierre Marcolini and Royal Warrant-holder, Mary are rated amongst the best chocolatiers in Belgium. Cheap they’re not – but at least you can satisfy yourself (and your loved one) that their Mangue milk chocolate cream, Pralines and Pates d’Amandes do contain genuine fruit and nut (albeit in slightly more pricey form than the famous Cadbury bar of the same name).
Fancy something educational and tasty? Try the Museum of Cocoa and Chocolate or one of the city’s many chocolate museums if you want the, ahem, skinny on how genuine pralines are made.
Paris, France
While they may rib their Belgian cousins for their chip and chocolate fixations, the French know a truc or two about candy and romance, as you’d expect of the country that gave the world the terms “amour” and “gourmet”.
Home to Nougat, Marrons Glaces (glazed chestnuts), Valrhona Chocolate and, more recently, the acquired taste that is chocolate ‘olives’, France has lots of sweet treasures.
For an iconic sugar hit in romantic surrounds we’re opting for French Macarons at Laduree, Paris. Largely responsible for re-inventing (or at least popularising) the ‘macaron’, the famous patisserie features flavours including blackcurrant and violet, rose petal, soft caramel and sea salt – and liquorice.
All are so colourful, beautifully presented and wrapped it seems a pity to eat them – but don’t worry, after one taste you (or your loved one) will!
Switzerland
Famously neutral it may be – but Switzerland is still fighting its corner in the battle for chocolate capital of the world. Producer of the first milk chocolate, it’s home to a host of popular candy brands including Nestle, Lindt, Ricola and Toblerone.
If you’re planning a trip climb aboard the sugar rush express, AKA the Swiss Chocolate Train. With a stop in Gruyeres (home of the famous cheese) your ultimate destination is Broc for the Maison Cailler chocolate factory.
As an operating factory (yes!) the best bit is probably getting to see the chocolates coming off the line – that’s until the samples at the end of the tour. You can walk it all off with a vigorous hike on one of the nearby trails.
Oaxaca, Mexico
Europe may have refined the production and artistry of chocolate, but Mexico is said to have played a crucial role in its evolution; indeed the Mayan and Aztec peoples gave it near-religious significance.
If you’re looking for the roots of chocolate, pay a visit to one of the food markets of Oaxaca City in the South-eastern state of Oaxaca, where you can sample fragrant hot drinking chocolate, often spiced with cinnamon and almond and sometimes served with pan de yema (eggy bread).
Alternatively, visit the chocolate producers of the famed street 20 de Noviembre where you can choose the ingredients (or even bring your own) for a customised chocolate hit.
Tokyo, Japan
Japan has a sometime reputation for adapting inventions to the next level. The latest enhancement candidate? The humble Kit Kat. Now Tokyo’s Seibu Department store has opened a specialist outlet selling seasonal gourmet editions of the iconic four-fingered wafer.
Its first three limited editions are ‘Sublime Bitter’ made with high-end couverture chocolate, Special Cherry Blossom Green Tea and Special Chili with a pepper cream filling.
Kit Kat already has a special Kyoto Kit Kat variety, the garishly-green 2-fingered Matcha Green Tea; a sweet hit with a bitter tea after taste. That should add some (tea) ceremony to the familiar Kit Kat break.
From tea to something a little stronger, as we move to the United States and Jelly Belly’s latest flavour: ‘Draft’ beer jelly beans. It sounds like the stuff of Homer Simpson’s dreams rather than romance, but the new beer bean is said to have a ‘clean, crisp, wheaty’ taste and is certainly a novel a unique way to toast your loved one. Cheers!
Los Angeles, USA
If you’re look for some appropriate glitz and showmanship with your sugar rush, why not drop in on the tinsel town of Candy Stores – Sweet! of Hollywood Boulevard.
Variously described as ‘the sweet spot for sweeties’ or ’30,000 square foot of candy craziness’, if you’re taking kids, this one’s strictly for the brave. Boasting 300 types of chocolate bar and 250 types of lollipop (check out Lollywood – geddit?) it also claims to have the world’s fastest gumball machine – powered by a life-size red Ferrari.
The shop has its own nod to sweet celluloid moments with a wall-to-wall marshmallow section featuring the Stay Puft marshmallow man from the 1984 film, Ghostbusters! The Forever Valentine’s section enables you to shop for your sweet all year long.
Canada
After all that glitz, perhaps it’s time to go back to nature with something altogether more raw and natural. Our Canadian candy fix embodies iconic elements for which the nation is best known: the Maple and very cold weather. Yes we’re talking Maple Taffy or ‘Sugar on Snow’ as the American cousins have it.
Eaten from Eastern Ontario to Quebec (where it’s called Tire d’erable) it’s produced by boiling maple sap to a thick liquid which is then poured directly on (clean!) snow where it thickens. Just wait for that perfect moment when it’s cooled but still soft and scoop up on a stick or fork. Now wait for it…
India
Fancy giving your loved one something small, shiny and jewel-like but feeling the pinch in your wallet? Indian sweets (Mithai) covered in thin layer of edible silver or gold leaf – Varakh – may be the answer.
The shiny leaf commonly covers ubiquitous Barfi sweets. Available across India, they’re made of condensed milk and sugar flavoured with fruit, nuts and exotic spices.
The edible silver is considered an astringent and the gold an aphrodisiac in some parts, so this may be just the thing to get your lover in the mood…
New Zealand
Jaffas, Perky Nanas, Pineapple Lumps and chocolate ‘fush’. Yes, New Zealanders and, dare I say it, their Australian cousins, have turned the candy world upside down with some distinctly different sweets, as anyone with an antipodean amour will be aware. But make sure you get the name right – here they’re called lollies, lover.
The large number of sheep in New Zealand has seen Kiwis as the butt of many jokes. Capitalising on this has been a range of ‘shitty’ candy popular in tourist stores across the country – ‘Sheep Droppings’ and ‘Kiwi Poo’ (or chocolate-covered peanuts and raisins to use their more prosaic form).
You might not think they’re particularly romantic, but what’s a good relationship if you can’t laugh at each other once in a while?
Germany
Given its part in fuelling much of the article it would be wrong to exclude Germany’s Haribo – producers of the famous gummy bear and sours mix – from our list, although its irritatingly catchy jingle is best left off.
The company name is an acronym for “Hans Riegel, Bonn”, the name of its founder and original location. Regrettably they don’t offer factory tours but if you’re a fan of the company’s Goldbears it’s certainly worth a visit to one of the factory shops in Bonn, Solingen Mainbernheim or Wilkau-Hasslau.
For the fussy, they exclusively offer ‘sorted’ versions of the Goldbear – albeit in 1 kilo bags. Embrace the mother of all sugar rushes.
London, England
And so to London. To misquote: “he who is tired of London candy is tired of candy”.
As you might expect from the former capital of British Empire, London, much like its British Museum, has managed to collect together in one place some of the finest candy treasures from around the world. As an aside, the Museum’s shop features an occasional line in history-themed candy; King Tut shaped chocolate anyone?
The West End department stores have extensive ranges and impressive displays: check out Selfridges for Artisan du Chocolat’s hot chocolate and specialist bars range; with flavours including Masala Chai, Mole Chili, Orchid & Orange blossom – or, mix your vices and go for the Tobacco option. But if you’re looking for that unique gift for your loved one, take a look at Harrods or Piccadilly’s Fortnum & Mason which offer Colombian Chocolate covered Ants (they taste like peppery peanuts apparently – except with six legs) or Antlix (yes that is what you get) lollipops.
For candy Aficionados of all sorts the city’s Covent Garden area is worth a visit. Hope & Greenwood is a new-fashioned sweet and homeware shop where, alongside flying saucers and Jelly cherry hearts, you’ll find newer treats like strawberry and ice cream candy floss. The area is also home to one of Hotel Chocolat’s flagship stores which roasts cocoa beans onsite, features a Cocoa Bar cafe and alongside all sorts of edibles, a range of cocoa-scented perfumes. Alternatively, get yourself over to the company’s Cocoa-themed restaurant, Rabot 1745. Rabbit and white chocolate mash with a chocolate cocktail on the side, anyone?
But if you’re looking for something a bit more unusual on the taste side try the much-heralded Artisan chocolatier Paul A Young who has a store in nearby Soho which offers a smorgasbord of unusual and iconic taste combinations including chocolate and stilton – and Marmite truffles. You’ll either love them or….
The Internet
Covent Garden’s Cybercandy store is our portal back to our fourteenth and final candy kingdom: the internet.
If you’re addicted to the addictive online sugar rush that is Candy Crush Saga Look out for the latest brand extensions in the shape of themed sweets – Candy Crush Jelly Fish, Fruit Gummies and Color Bombs (with rainbow sprinkles, of course).
With sweets grouped by pop culture, category, brand and country, CyberCandy might be just the place to visit for a taste of home – or to help you decide on your next sweet destination.
Now, if I can only find that rare Gummy Venus de Milo. In the words of Homer Simpson; “she can’t have got far, she has no arms….”
(Featured image: ButterflySha)
