Swedish Candy Could Be the Key to Happiness

It seems like everyone in America is eating bags of Scandinavian gummies and licorice...and it's about time.

Sweden is one of the happiest countries in the world, according to the World Happiness Report, and I am convinced that it’s largely due to their custom of lördagsgodis, which translates to “Saturday candy.” Every weekend, children and adults alike spend part of their Saturdays cozy at home, eating through an assortment of their favorite candies. The ideas behind this tradition are moderation and celebration. Reserving candy consumption for one day a week means not giving in to your sweet tooth daily while also building up excitement and anticipation for Saturday, making the treats even more special.

When the Swedes are enjoying lördagsgodis, the candies they consume are not large bars of chocolate or king-size bags of Skittles. Instead, they prefer a fun mix of small chocolates, gummies, caramels, licorice, and flavorful foamy marshmallows. The candy is often purchased from local grocery stores that have walls lined with candy bins, selling loose candy by its weight, called “pick and mix,” where customers can select any of the candies. Read on for our favorite places to buy and order Scandinavian candy, and what you should be adding to your bag.

Where to buy Swedish candy

While we might not have the custom of “Saturday candy” in the States, there are many charming places to purchase a variety of Swedish sweets. You can check out these online retailers to start your own tradition.

Related: How to Make Candy Magic at Home

Kolsvart

This Swedish company makes elegant, minimalist bags of gummy and licorice fish in a range of natural flavors including black currant and elderflower. kolsvart.com

Sweetish

Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Sweetish sells and ships several varieties of candy along with other Nordic products such as cloudberry preserves and glögg concentrate. sweetishcandy.com

BonBon

With three physical locations in New York City, this Swedish candy shop ships both single and mixed varieties of candy in charming light-pink bags. bonbonnyc.com

Sockerbit

This candy store has a physical location in Los Angeles, where bins of assorted gummies, licorice, and marshmallows line the walls. They also ship sweets, including variety bags of pick and mix. sockerbit.com

10 Swedish candies to add to your mixed bag

1. Cola Bottles

Known as Malaco colaflaskor, these cola-flavored gummy bottles have a pleasant chew.

2. Happy Flowers

Better than a bouquet, the happy flowers come in an assortment of colors and fruity flavors with marshmallowy petals and smiley faces at the center.

3. Sweet Licorice Squares

These sweet, lightly herbal squares are the perfect introduction to black licorice for those who are curious but cautious.

4. Söta Katten

These kitten-shaped gummies come in both raspberry and apple flavors — and they happen to be vegan.

5. Sour Peach Lips

Fruity, sour, and perfectly chewy, it’s easy to eat several of these in one sitting.

6. Banana Caramel Bubs

Usually, banana-flavored candy has an extremely artificial edge, but these foamy marshmallow candies are more subtle and wholesome in flavor.

7. Elderflower Fish

There’s something quite elegant and refined about these delicately floral Swedish fish.

8. Mini Fried Eggs

The whites have a soft and foamy texture, while the gummy yolk has a gently fruity flavor. They’re delicious and adorable.

9. Raspberry Licorice Skulls

Black licorice can be polarizing, but the herbal flavor perfectly counterbalances the fruity raspberry in these chewy gummy skulls.

10. Sour Dummies

Don’t let the pacifier shape throw you off — these very sour gummies are definitely not for babies.

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