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Candies are probably one of the staples in almost every Filipino’s home. Whether for dessert or just something to snack on while traveling, candies have become our trusted companion. It’s no wonder whyーthey’re sweet, convenient, and just the right size for an instant pick-me-up.
That said, we have the perfect treats for you. In this article, we will share our picks of the best candies in the Philippines. We also added a buying guide, fact-checked by nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales, to help you choose the best candy that will suit your taste.
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Here are some key points to consider:
For more detailed information, read through our buying guide below.
There are tons of candies available online. While this affords us many options, it also brings the challenge of choosing the best. To narrow down your choices, start by identifying your go-to candy type.
Hard candies are probably what one might associate with when talking about candies. These are made from sugar-based syrups that are heated at a specific temperature. Since they are made from simple ingredients, it’s easy to add flavorings. This is why hard candies come in almost any flavor.
Hard candies are also a staple during long travels, especially for those with motion sickness. Since it takes longer for a hard candy to melt, sucking on it helps fight nausea by stimulating saliva production.
Just like hard candies, gummies are made from sugar-based syrup. The only addition is stabilizers like starch, pectin, or gelatin. These make for a chewy candy that comes in different shapes, colors, and flavors for every preference.
Caramel and toffee are made with the same process as hard candy, with the addition of milk and fat. The common additives are sweetened, condensed, or evaporated milk. The process results in a hard candy with more chew and moisture and which usually comes in a caramel flavor and color.
Marshmallows lean on the softer side of candies. They are made from sugar, water, and gelatin. But unlike hard candies, the ingredients are whipped to a solid but soft consistency. They also come in different flavors, colors, and shapes. Due to their unique viscosity, marshmallows are also often added to drinks, cakes, and ice cream.
Chewing gums are a popular treat meant to be chewed without being swallowed. They consist of sweeteners, flavors, and gum bases. The consistency of gum is rubber-like, which makes for its sticky and chewy characteristics.
Like hard candies, chewing gums are also great for fighting nausea, since they stimulate saliva production. Additionally, the chewing helps equalize air pressure, making it a great plane travel companion.
One way of ensuring that you get to enjoy candies worry-free is by checking the ingredients at the back. Go for those that contain common ingredients that you are familiar with. If it includes long ingredients that you don’t recognize, the chances are that they are loaded with synthetic ones.
While plain candies are already good on their own, it certainly contributes to the eating experience if they have add-ons. Some candies are infused with fruits, coffee, milk, etc. Other brands combine two flavors, like Dynamite, in which you’ll get to taste mint and chocolate in one candy.
Aside from flavor, candy manufacturers may also combine other ingredients for added texture. This enhances the taste of the candy and makes them even more delicious! The most common add-ons you'll find are nougat or nuts. You may also remember PopRocks, which have a unique ingredientー carbon dioxideーto deliver a popping sensation in the mouth.
As said earlier, candies are not inherently bad. As long as you eat them in moderation, they won’t wreak havoc on your health. But if you find these sweet treats too addictive, you can opt for healthier alternatives.
More and more candies now use natural ingredients and contain less sugar. Some are even sugar-free. There are also vegan and keto-friendly versions! Check the packaging warnings and the ingredients, especially if you have specific allergies, diabetes, or other medical conditions.
Read the ingredients list carefully. Most commercial candies have so much sugar in them, contain artificial flavors, colorings, and even preservatives. If you're craving sweets, grab fresh whole fruit, dehydrated fruit chips or fruit leathers, or opt for products that use natural sweeteners such as whole stevia extract, coconut sugar, coconut nectar syrup, or raw honey.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Price | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Columbia Candies Bundle of 3 | ₱87 High Mid | Strawberry Milkshake in Bite-Sized Form | ||
2 | Sweetworld, Inc. Pack of 40 | ₱35 Low Mid | Milky Candy That Melts in Your Mouth | ||
3 | Perfetti Van Melle Box of 50s | ₱376 High | Lollipop That Comes in Various Flavors and Colors | ||
4 | Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company Pack of 50 | ₱40 Low Mid | Bite-Sized Treat for Butter-Loving Pinoys | ||
5 | Jack N Jill Pack of 50 | ₱34 Low Mid | Candy Filled With Chocolatey Surprise | ||
6 | Columbia Candies Bundle of 3 | ₱77 Mid | Make a Face As You Chew Into This Sour Gum Ball | ||
7 | Wrigley's Pack of 8 | ₱73 Mid | Stay Cool and Refreshed With This All-Time Favorite | ||
8 | Shanghai Guan Sheng Yuan Food, Ltd. Gift Box | ₱75 Mid | A Sweet and Creamy Treat in an Edible Wrapper | ||
9 | Columbia Candies Bundle of 3 | ₱93 High Mid | Soft and Chewy Strawberry Gummy | ||
10 | Oishi Pack of 24 | ₱24.7 Low | Marshmallow and Mango Made More Delightful |
Strawberry on its own may not be everyone’s cup of tea. But when added with cream, it surely elevates the taste of the fruit, making it a go-to flavor in cold beverages like frappes or milkshakes. Unfortunately, a strawberry milkshake is not exactly always accessible. Good thing Monami exists to satisfy that craving!
This hard candy has the tangy flavor of strawberry and the milkiness of cream to balance it. The combination of the two delivers a strawberry smoothie-like result that's exploding with flavor and aroma. You will immediately know when your friend opens up a piece. By then, be ready to say, “pahingi!"
Just seeing a HawHaw candy ought to make one nostalgic for childhood. Who could ever forget this unassuming, white, box-shaped candy rich in milk flavor? You can chew it until your teeth hurt, suck on it, or just let it melt in your mouth. However you prefer it, the sweet milky taste stays the same!
HawHaw, a semi-hard compressed candy, has been on the market since the 80s. As proof of its timelessness, it remains one of the go-to snacks not only for 80s kids but also for the younger generation. The Lost Bread even made it into ice cream. And if you’re looking for a companion to pan de sal, check out Pick & Click’s milky spread.
Can’t choose a lollipop flavor? Chupa Chups has got you covered! This box contains all their best flavors for you to try. Whether you’re a fan of their fruity flavors or the creamy ones, this box is a win for you. And since it’s an assortment, you can always share it with your friends and loved ones.
Like the other products, Chupa Chups lollipop has been a staple for hard candies. No wonderーthey are easy to eat since they come in sticks. Plus, they can also be wrapped again and saved for later. This is probably why we’re still a sucker for all their decadent and improved candies over the years!
We like to slather our pan de sals with it or incorporate it into our meals and desserts. What is it? Butter, of course! This is probably why Peter’s Butterball became a hit when it was first introduced to us. While we may not often see it in groceries, a whiff of this hard candy ought to make us feel giddy and sentimental.
Butterball has continued to delight us since 1967. If you’re wondering who Peter is, he is an American candymaker who partnered with a local candy manufacturer. Since then, the company has kept producing this hard candy that's ideal if you want something sweet. It tastes like butter and sugar with a little bit of salt to complement it.
If you're into treats with surprises inside, Dynamite is something you don’t want to miss out on for occasional treats. With every piece of this Thai snack, you get to experience an enjoyable combination of cool mint freshness and creamy chocolate.
This hard candy starts minty, then just like dynamite, it will explode with a delightful burst of chocolate. Fans of this candy are especially fond of the pleasant aftertaste that keeps the mouth feel refreshed. And if you want a more mellow version, you can always try the melon variant!
Who could ever forget this “chiclet” that made us grimace? We don’t, and just looking at this can already make us do the face. Yakee Super Asim Gum Ball, being true to its branding, is a chewing gum rich in sour flavor. Despite that, we still enjoy chewing it.
It starts out fruity when you first pop it into your mouth. Once you chew, it then becomes sour. Children are also fond of blowing it into a bubble so that they will look extra cool for their playmates. But truly, no matter what age you are, you'll enjoy this gum for its unique chewing experience.
When it comes to chewing gum, we like them menthol-y. This is probably why Doublemint remains to be a crowd-pleaser. It has also become a staple in every travel for those who have motion sickness. Those bus vendors selling Doublemint are a godsend, especially when you’re not feeling well in the middle of a trip.
While one stick may not seem much, once you get to chew into it, you will feel better and refreshed. This gum is also suitable for your emergency breath-freshening needs. And since it’s made from spearmint, you won’t notice any difference from the usual minty toothpaste flavor.
Another milky candy takes its place on our list! We really like milk, don’t we? White Rabbit, just like HawHaw, evokes nostalgia, especially since it has been in the market for generations and has even gone through changes and controversies. But one thing is the same; it still has a special place for the child in every one of us.
This milky candy is like a nougat but creamier. But perhaps what's really special about it is its unique wrapper. Made from thin rice paper, you need not worry about peeling it off because it is edible. Some even say that it perfectly complements the rich taste of the candy.
Columbia Candies is a trusted brand among Filipinos when it comes to candies. They are of good quality and oh so yummy! Like their other products, Potchi strawberry cream gummy candy makes every kid happy. It is a hit for every palate: whether you have a sweet tooth or not.
This gummy candy is like Monami Strawberry Cream, but chewier and sweeter. And since it’s in gummy form, expect it to be gone in just a few seconds. It's a good thing this product comes in a bundle of 3! You can also try the other variants like Gummy Worms, Gummy Bears, Hoola Hoop, and Orange Pastilles.
When we think about marshmallows, we might immediately associate them with kids. With its fluffy texture and soft chew, it ought to be a favorite for those still developing their teeth. But of course, marshmallows are not only for the young. Those young at heart will also enjoy it, especially with Oishi’s infusion of our favorite tropical fruit!
At the center of the marshmallow is a mango cream. The sweetness of the mango blends perfectly with the mellow flavor of this fluffy treat. And in no time, you will find yourself almost halfway through the pack. You can also try the chocolate and matcha variants if you want new flavors.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
There is no definite number of candies you can eat in a day. Ultimately, it depends on your diet and the nutritional information of the candy. You shouldn’t get more than 10% of your daily calories from added sugar, which candies have a lot of. If you aim for 2,000 calories a day, a safe number of sweets has less than 200 calories from added sugar.
While a single piece of candy is safe, overeating can make you sick. Eating too many candies in one sitting may cause spikes in your blood sugar. Nasal congestion, acid reflux, and bloating are other symptoms to look out for. In children, it can wreak havoc on their digestion and result in nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.
Candies are not toxic for dogs. However, they are not good for them. Sweeteners commonly found in candies are not natural to dogs. As a result, this may lead to stomach upset and bacteria imbalance in your pet’s gut. Given in excess, this can also cause long-term problems like weight gain, diabetes, and tooth problems. Remember to watch out for ingredients like coffee, chocolate, raisins, and Xylitol. These are toxic for your fur babies.
There’s no denying that we love our sweets. Whether you want something to cap off your meal or something to munch on, these sweet treats are perfect for you. We have a variety of cakes, chocolates, drinks, and more to satisfy your cravings!
Author: J Ausa
For expert-reviewed articles, we ask experts to check and review our buying guide to make sure there aren't any false, misleading, or outdated information. Our experts do not participate in choosing the recommendations, and they do not endorse any of the products we mention.
No. 1: Columbia Candies|Bundle of 3
No. 2: Sweetworld, Inc.|Pack of 40
No. 3: Perfetti Van Melle|Box of 50s
No. 4: Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company|Pack of 50
No. 5: Jack N Jill|Pack of 50
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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