Time for this year’s ‘most popular Halloween candy’ map. To get this map out before Halloween, it’s based on google candy searches per capita in each state over the last month. Searches don’t necessarily reflect actual purchases or consumption. Advertising may have an impact or people may search candy they don’t like. Additionally, this data is skewed toward brands rather than candy types. Thus it’s entirely possible that readers in Wyoming will have more Candy Corn than Sweet Tarts in their bags. Consider that my disclaimer if the contents of your trick-or-treat bag don’t match the map. Having said that, let’s move on to the featured map below.
Featured Map
Map Thoughts
My first reaction is the surprising popularity of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. It’s not that I don’t like them, they’re one of my favorites. I have vivid memories of childhood Reese’s television commercials. Two people walking along, one with peanut butter and one eating chocolate. Then in a sequence of events right out of Moe or Curly’s playbook they crash into each other mixing their snacks. One would say “Hey, you got chocolate in my peanut butter.” The other would retort, “You got peanut butter on my chocolate.” Then each would taste their adulterated snack. After a brief pause they’d smile with delight. Perhaps my surprise comes from being I’m overly sensitive to the peanut allergy issue. My daughter is mildly allergic to peanuts. She’d always trade her peanut candies (M&Ms, Snickers, & Peanut Butter Cups) with her brothers for anything without peanuts. Her particular favorites were KitKats, Twixt, and Milkyway bars.
My Favorite?
While I do like Reese’s and many of the other brands listed, my personal favorite, malted milk balls, isn’t listed. However, if I had to pick from the map, I’d go with Kentucky and Swedish Fish. The classic red are great, but I also enjoy the multi-colored fish, too. To paraphrase another famous series of commercials, “I don’t eat non-malted candy often, but when I do, it’s Swedish Fish.” How about you, what’s your favorite candy and is it on the map?
As always, thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to pay the bills
I’m happy to announce that the Misaligned series has returned!! After more than 6 months of limited availability, the ebook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook versions are back on Amazon. The large print version has been permanently discontinued. My apologies for the disruption. As a reminder, Halloween features prominently in Penny Preston and the Raven’s Talisman, book #1 in the Misaligned series. If you’re interested in a PG-rated story that seeks to answer the question, ‘What happens at the intersection of String Theory & Arthurian Myth’, check out a summary of the series here or find links to purchase books here.
As an aside please consider signing up for my FREE author newsletter. It will contain opportunities to preview new books, announcements, and contests related to my novels. It will not overwhelm your inbox – I’m thinking once a quarter or as news warrants.
My 90 year old dad and I are reviewing as he is deciding what to get at BJ’s for Halloween.
I hope the post helps. Last year we didn’t have a single night-time trick-or-treater. Our neighborhood is a mix of younger families and empty-nesters. We have an early ‘Halloween Parade’ for the younger crowd and then no out of neighborhood older kids came through in the evening. I managed to avoid eating any of the candy (it helps to buy stuff you don’t enjoy), which we donated to our piano teacher.