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.
Quick List - Top Candies
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.
When selecting the perfect candy, consider key factors such as ingredients, flavor, texture, and your dietary needs. Dive into our buying guide below for more details!
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 | Key features | Details | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Type | Flavor | Serving Size | Calories | Sugar | Dietary Nutrients | |||||
1 | Oishi O-Puff Marshmallows Mango|Pack of 24 | ![]() | Marshmallow and Mango Made More Delightful | Marshmallow | Mango | 30g (About 9 Pieces) | 110kcal | 15g | 1g Protein | |
2 | Rebisco Mr. Yema | ![]() | A Rich Melt-in-Your-Mouth Treat | Chewy | Yema with Choco Filling | 11g (2 Pieces) | 45kcal | 4g | <1g Protein | |
3 | Cavendish & Harvey Clear Mint Drops | ![]() | Stay Cool and Refreshed With This Classic Candy | Mint | Peppermint | Per 100g | 392kcal | 70g | <0.5g Protein | |
4 | Jack 'n Jill Maxx Cherry Menthol Candy | ![]() | Combines Cherry and Menthol for a Sweet and Cooling Treat | Hard Candy | Cherry | 16g (4 Pieces) | 60kcal | 13g | None | |
5 | Jack 'n Jill Lush Strawberry Milk | ![]() | Strawberry Milkshake in Bite-Sized and Chewy Form | Chewy | Strawberry | 13g (5 Pieces) | 60kcal | 9g | <1g Protein | |
6 | Columbia Candies Potchi|Bundle of 3 | ![]() | Soft and Chewy Strawberry Gummy | Gummy | Strawberry | 13.5g (5 Pieces) | 45kcal | 7g | None | |
7 | Perfetti van Melle Mentos Fruit | ![]() | Chewy Candy That Comes in Various Flavors and Colors | Chewy | Assorted Fruits | Per 100g | 388kcal | 69g | None | |
8 | Moniegold Chewy Tamarind Candy | ![]() | Convenient Sweet and Sour Chewy Candy | Chewy | Tamarind | Per 6g | 0kcal | 4g | None | |
9 | Jack 'n Jill X.O. Coffee Candy | ![]() | Convenient and Sweet Candy for Your Coffee Fix | Hard Candy | Coffee | 14g (4 Pieces) | 60kcal | 9g + 9g Added Sugar | <1g Protein | |
10 | Ferrara Candy Company Nerds Candy | ![]() | Crunchy Twist on Classic Fruity Flavors | Rock Candy | Grape, Strawberry | Per 15g | 60kcal | 14g | None |
When we think about marshmallows, we might immediately associate them with kids. With their fluffy texture and soft chew, they seem perfect for those still developing their teeth. However, marshmallows are not only for the young. Those young at heart will also enjoy them, especially with Oishi’s infusion of our favorite tropical fruit!
At the center of each marshmallow is a mango cream filling. Buyers keep coming back to this treat because of its addictive flavor. The sweetness of the mango blends perfectly with the mellow flavor of this fluffy treat. Before you know it, you'll find yourself almost halfway through the pack.
Type | Marshmallow |
---|---|
Flavor | Mango |
Serving Size | 30g (About 9 Pieces) |
Calories | 110kcal |
Sugar | 15g |
Dietary Nutrients | 1g Protein |
Type | Chewy |
---|---|
Flavor | Yema with Choco Filling |
Serving Size | 11g (2 Pieces) |
Calories | 45kcal |
Sugar | 4g |
Dietary Nutrients | <1g Protein |
Type | Mint |
---|---|
Flavor | Peppermint |
Serving Size | Per 100g |
Calories | 392kcal |
Sugar | 70g |
Dietary Nutrients | <0.5g Protein |
Type | Hard Candy |
---|---|
Flavor | Cherry |
Serving Size | 16g (4 Pieces) |
Calories | 60kcal |
Sugar | 13g |
Dietary Nutrients | None |
Type | Chewy |
---|---|
Flavor | Strawberry |
Serving Size | 13g (5 Pieces) |
Calories | 60kcal |
Sugar | 9g |
Dietary Nutrients | <1g Protein |
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.
Each gummy delivers the perfect balance of strawberry and cream in every bite. The soft, chewy texture makes these candies enjoyable for kids and adults alike. And since it is 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!
Type | Gummy |
---|---|
Flavor | Strawberry |
Serving Size | 13.5g (5 Pieces) |
Calories | 45kcal |
Sugar | 7g |
Dietary Nutrients | None |
Type | Chewy |
---|---|
Flavor | Assorted Fruits |
Serving Size | Per 100g |
Calories | 388kcal |
Sugar | 69g |
Dietary Nutrients | None |
Type | Chewy |
---|---|
Flavor | Tamarind |
Serving Size | Per 6g |
Calories | 0kcal |
Sugar | 4g |
Dietary Nutrients | None |
Type | Hard Candy |
---|---|
Flavor | Coffee |
Serving Size | 14g (4 Pieces) |
Calories | 60kcal |
Sugar | 9g + 9g Added Sugar |
Dietary Nutrients | <1g Protein |
Type | Rock Candy |
---|---|
Flavor | Grape, Strawberry |
Serving Size | Per 15g |
Calories | 60kcal |
Sugar | 14g |
Dietary Nutrients | None |
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!
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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: Oishi|O-Puff Marshmallows Mango|Pack of 24
No. 2: Rebisco|Mr. Yema
No. 3: Cavendish & Harvey|Clear Mint Drops
No. 4: Jack 'n Jill|Maxx Cherry Menthol Candy
No. 5: Jack 'n Jill|Lush Strawberry Milk
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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