Halloween is a time for all things creepy crawly. While real worms may make people squirm, their candy counterparts bring joy. The stretchy nature and bright colours of Gummi worms have made them a favourite sweet of children worldwide. There’s even a World Gummy Worm Day, celebrated annually on July 15.

The Gummy Worm is actually linked to another candy, the Gummy Bear. These ursine-shaped candies sold like hot cakes when they were first introduced in 1920 by German company Haribo. Another confectionary company, Trolli, wanted a share of this, and created the Gummi worm as an alternative. It caught on, the worm's simple shape make it easier and cheaper to make. Today, there are actually more varieties and flavours of Gummi worms compared to bears.

Do you have a sweet tooth for sour candy? These treats owe their popularity to Halloween. In the early 1950s, sweet snacks were all the rage, and the only time people would eat sour candy was October 31, a day where everything was supposed to be ghoulish.

Sour candy really took off in 1993 with The Warhead, a lemon candy originating from Japan. Businessman Peter De Yager, who imported it to the US, thought people would hate its gag-inducing taste. "It was so sour that most people would take it out of their mouth immediately, throw it in the wastebasket, and almost be angry at you," he told Wired magazine in 1999. But sales skyrocketed, with many customers buying the candies just to watch their friends' reactions after trying them.

See also: 11 DIY Recipes for Iconic Candies and Chocolates

In both Egyptian and Chinese myths, rabbits are a mysterious creature often associated with the moon and the night. In the novel Alice In Wonderland, the White Rabbit represents curiosity and discovery, both qualities you’ll need to get through the strange night of Halloween.

White Rabbit candies are China’s most popular sweets. They originally featured images of Mickey Mouse, but were later changed to the white rabbit we all know and love. Although they now come in a variety of flavours including chocolate, coconut and matcha, the original vanilla is still the most in demand. Many also love the edible wrappers, which are made from sticky rice.

Halloween is a time for dressing up. Get into the spirit with Murakawa Bubble Gum’s jolly bear mascot and his magician’s hat. Some varieties of this beloved candy also come with temporary tattoos, perfect for the season! 

The Murakawa Company has been in business since 1948, but bubble gum was first invented in 1925 by Walter Diemer, an accountant at a chewing gum factory. He liked to occasionally experiment with recipes, and one day, accidentally created a gum that was stretchier than usual. It was put on the market as Dubble Bubble, and soon became a huge hit.

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