Newsflash: Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory made a hell of a lot of candy, too. While Everlasting Gobstoppers and Three–Course–Dinner Gum may be the stuff of children’s movies, the candy off which it’s based off of is real—and really delicious.
To say that candy is better than chocolate is a controversial stance. Before you even ask—yes, chocolate is a type of candy, but that’s beside the point. There’s a difference and you damn well know it. Chocolate is a one-trick pony, but there is no limit to where candy can take you.
Candy encompasses every taste and texture. Flavors range from fruit to minty, from caramel to whatever candy corn is supposed to resemble (for this small period of time around Halloween- and only this short time- it’s addicting). For the sweet tooth, there are gummy bears, Skittles and Jolly Ranchers. For those craving a sour pucker there are War Heads, Sour Patch Kids and Zours (RIP). Red Vines are firm and tough, Pixy Stix are edible powder. Taffy is chewy, lollipops hard. Now and Laters? They’re both. There's a candy for whatever mood you may be in. Who can say that about boring old chocolate?
Ultimately, there are few joys that beat entering a candy store, arming yourself with a small plastic bag, and filling it to your hearts content with colorful confections. There’s a reason joyful experiences are, quite literally, compared to being “a kid in a candy shop.” Surrounded by bins filled with colorful sweets of all varieties, you’re equipped with the rare opportunity to create your very own medley. No restrictions, no limits—if you want one of every flavor of Jelly Belly, plus a peach ring and a handful of Sour Patch Watermelons, you can make it happen. If you want a bag full of Tootsie Rolls, that’s possible too.
When you’re talking candy, you’re talking pure possibility. Forrest Gump got it all wrong-life is like a bag of candy and you never know what you're going to get. But it's gonna taste awesome.
