Sour candy has been a staple in the American candy landscape for decades, adding a burst of tanginess and pucker-worthy flavor to sweet treats. 

But how did sour candy come to be? Let’s dive into the tart history of one of the most exciting flavor profiles in the world of sweets.

The Birth of Sour Candy: The 1950s and 1960s

While sour candy as we know it may seem like a modern phenomenon, its roots date back to the 1950s. However, it wasn’t until the 1960s that sour candy truly started to make its mark in the American candy scene.

The first big wave of sour treats came from tart and tangy fruit-flavored candies—specifically, sour lemon. Before this time, candy was primarily focused on sweetness. However, as sugar became more widely available and new flavor trends began emerging, candy manufacturers sought ways to add excitement and contrast to traditional flavors. This is when sourness entered the mix.

The introduction of citric acid, malic acid, and other souring agents played a key role in transforming the world of candy. These acids provided that signature sour bite, making candies taste different from the typical sugary offerings of the past.

The First Sour Candy Boom: Warheads and Beyond

One of the earliest and most iconic introductions to sour candy came in the form of Warheads. These small, hard candies were introduced in the 1980s and became an instant sensation for their intensely sour coating. The candy’s packaging even warned consumers about its extreme sourness, calling it a "challenge" for the brave.

Sour Candy Expands: Gummy Bears and Sour Worms

After the success of Warheads, sour candy continued to evolve throughout the 1990s and 2000s. One of the major innovations was the introduction of sour gummy candies. Sour Patch Kids, which were introduced in 1985 by Jelly Belly, took the candy world by storm with their chewy, sour-coated texture. These candies became beloved for their balance of sourness on the outside and sweetness on the inside.

Following the success of Sour Patch Kids, other gummy candies began to adopt the same sour coating. Sour gummy worms, sour snakes, and sour cherries became popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, creating an entire subcategory of gummy-based sour treats. These chewy delights were both fun to eat and a great way to experience that extreme sourness while still enjoying the satisfying texture of gummy candy.

Sour Candy Today: A Flavor Explosion

Today, sour candy is a billion-dollar industry, and it continues to grow. Sour Patch Kids remains one of the most iconic and successful sour candy brands, but other varieties, like Trolli Sour Brite Crawlers and SweeTarts, continue to dominate the market as well. The flavors range from sour apple to watermelon, lemon, blue raspberry, and even more exotic flavors like sour peach.

Why We Love Sour Candy

So, why do we love sour candy so much? For many, it’s the shock factor—that initial hit of intense sourness that quickly turns into sweet flavor. It’s an experience, a thrill, and a nostalgic part of childhood that many of us continue to enjoy as adults.

Sour candy also satisfies our desire for contrast. The balance between sour and sweet creates a flavor explosion that stimulates our taste buds in a way that sweet-only treats can’t match. And, let’s face it—who doesn’t love that pucker face after biting into a sour candy?

Sour Candy at Candy Town USA

At Candy Town USA, we carry a variety of sour treats that will leave your taste buds tingling! From sour gummies to sour hard candies, there’s something for everyone who loves a good sour punch.

So, whether you're a fan of classic sour gummy worms, love the tang of a sour lemon, or crave the extreme sourness of Warheads, Candy Town USA has the perfect sour candy for you!

Come on by and explore our full selection of sour treats—and maybe challenge your taste buds to the ultimate sour experience!

Candy Town USA
📍 1025 Shiloh Crossing Blvd, Billings, MT 59102
📞 (406) 651-9196