5 Georgia Childhood Candies That Should Stay In The Past & 5 That We Can’t Stop Craving
Growing up in Georgia, candy wasn’t just a treat—it was a childhood ritual.
I remember racing to the corner store with quarters jingling in my pocket, eager to spend my allowance on sugary treasures.
Some of those candies delivered pure joy, while others left us wondering why we bothered.
Let’s unwrap some nostalgic Georgia candy memories, separating the forgettable from the forever favorites.
1. Candy Cigarettes: A Relic Best Forgotten
Yikes! Nothing screams “terrible idea” quite like candy designed to mimic smoking. As a kid in Macon, I thought these chalky white sticks made me look cool when I pretended to puff on them outside the schoolyard. The powdery sugar that puffed out when you blew on them seemed magical then, but now makes me cringe.
These tasteless chalk sticks barely qualified as candy, offering nothing but a gritty texture and vague sweetness. Beyond their questionable flavor, the obvious problem was teaching kids to mimic a dangerous habit. Georgia convenience stores have wisely phased these out, and honestly, our children’s Halloween bags are better without them. Good riddance to bad candy!
2. Wax Bottles (Nik-L-Nip): More Packaging Than Pleasure
Remember those tiny wax bottles filled with colored sugar water? What a concept—spend half your time figuring out how to bite off the top without getting wax in your teeth, then enjoy approximately three drops of artificially flavored liquid. My cousins and I would compete to see who could extract the most juice during summer visits to my grandmother in Savannah.
The waxy residue coated our mouths while the fleeting sweetness disappeared instantly. The worst part? After the disappointing sip was gone, we’d chew the flavorless wax like gum until our jaws tired. Talk about a candy that promised way more than it delivered! Some traditions deserve to fade into memory, and these wax disappointments top that list.
3. Circus Peanuts: The Marshmallow Mistake
Orange-colored, banana-flavored, peanut-shaped marshmallows? The identity crisis alone should have warned us. These foam abominations haunted many Georgia childhood candy dishes, especially at my great-aunt’s house in Columbus. The texture starts somewhat soft but quickly transforms into something between styrofoam and rubber.
Leave the bag open for more than an hour in Georgia humidity, and you’ve got yourself some orange concrete that could probably survive nuclear winter. The bizarre banana flavor made absolutely no sense with the peanut shape and orange color. It’s like three completely different candy ideas collided in a factory accident. No amount of Southern hospitality requires us to pretend these were ever good. Let’s leave these confusing treats firmly in the past.
4. Fruit Stripe Gum: Five Seconds Of Flavor Isn’t Enough
The zebra mascot lied to us all! I’d save up just to buy packs of this rainbow-striped gum from Mr. Johnson’s corner store in Athens. The initial burst of fruit flavor was so intense, it seemed worth every penny. Then came the betrayal—approximately 15 seconds later when every trace of flavor vanished, leaving nothing but a sad, tough wad of gum base.
We kept chewing anyway, hoping the flavor might magically return, like waiting for rain during a Georgia drought. The temporary tattoos included in each pack lasted longer than the actual gum flavor. While the colorful packaging and zebra mascot trigger warm nostalgia, the product itself deserves to gallop into the sunset. Some childhood disappointments teach valuable lessons—like not trusting a cartoon zebra’s flavor promises.
5. Bit-O-Honey: The Dental Work Destroyer
My dentist probably sent thank-you cards to the Bit-O-Honey company every time I brought these home. These honey-flavored taffy rectangles weren’t just chewy—they were downright dangerous, like cement mixed with glue and a hint of almond. Summer afternoons in Valdosta meant wrestling with these jaw-jammers until they softened enough to actually taste. Half the time, they’d pull out a loose tooth before you could finish one piece.
The flavor wasn’t terrible—if you could get past the workout required to experience it. The individually wrapped pieces would often fuse together in Georgia heat, creating one impenetrable amber block. While I appreciate the honey-almond concept, the execution was more punishment than pleasure. Some candy should come with a warning label and a dental insurance application.
6. Butterfields Peach Buds: Georgia’s Perfect Candy Ambassador
Nothing captures Georgia’s identity quite like these heavenly peach-shaped candies! First time I tried one was during a school field trip to Atlanta—I was hooked instantly on the perfect balance of sweet and tangy peach flavor. The delicate sugar coating gives way to a soft, fruit-filled center that practically dissolves on your tongue.
Unlike artificial peach flavors that taste like perfume, these capture the essence of biting into a ripe Georgia peach without the sticky juice running down your arm. Local gift shops across the state showcase these gems, and for good reason. They’re the candy equivalent of Southern charm—sweet without being overwhelming, distinctive without being flashy. Whenever relatives visit from out of state, a box of these peach-shaped treasures is mandatory hospitality. Some traditions deserve preservation, and this peachy perfection tops the list.
7. Stuckey’s Pecan Log Roll: Road Trip Reward Worth Every Mile
Family road trips through Georgia weren’t complete without stopping at a blue-roofed Stuckey’s for their legendary pecan log rolls. That first bite through crunchy pecans into fluffy nougat center was our vacation tradition. The genius combination of textures makes these treats special—the sticky-sweet cherry-pink outer layer, the cloud-like nougat middle, all wrapped in fresh Georgia pecans.
My dad would always buy an extra one “for later,” but somehow it never survived the first hour back on the highway. Even today, spotting that turquoise Stuckey’s roof from the interstate triggers a Pavlovian response. While other roadside treats have disappeared, these nutty delights have stood the test of time. The pecan log roll isn’t just candy—it’s a Georgia travel ritual that connects generations of road-tripping families.
8. River Street Sweets Pralines: Savannah’s Sugary Masterpiece
The heavenly aroma wafting from River Street Sweets in Savannah should be bottled and sold as perfume! Walking along the cobblestone street, that buttery-sweet scent pulls you in like a sugar magnet. These pralines achieve the impossible—crisp edges that shatter delicately while the centers remain creamy and rich with caramelized sugar and fresh pecans.
My grandmother would mail me a box at college, and my roommates would mysteriously appear whenever the package arrived. The free samples they hand out warm from the copper kettles create instant addiction. That moment when the disk of pecan-studded perfection melts on your tongue is pure Georgia magic. While other candies come and go, these pralines remain the crown jewel of Savannah’s sweet scene. They’re not just candy—they’re an edible souvenir of Georgia’s coastal charm.
9. Savannah Candy Kitchen “Turtle Gophers”: Chocolate Pecan Perfection
Chocolate, caramel, and pecans—name a more iconic trio! Savannah Candy Kitchen’s “Turtle Gophers” elevate this classic combination to art form status with their perfect ratio of gooey to crunchy. Watching the candy makers pour ribbons of caramel over clusters of pecans before baptizing them in rich chocolate is better than any theme park attraction. My sister and I would press our noses against the glass display case, mesmerized by the glossy finished products lined up like edible jewels.
The salt from the roasted pecans cuts through the sweetness perfectly, creating that addictive balance that keeps you reaching for “just one more.” While the name might sound odd (what’s a gopher got to do with candy?), the flavor is undeniably sophisticated. These chocolate clusters aren’t just treats—they’re the taste of special occasions and Savannah memories.
10. Georgia Peach Jelly Taffy: Stretchy Summer Sweetness
Summer isn’t official until you’ve pulled apart a piece of Georgia Peach Jelly Taffy! This stretchy delight captures our state fruit’s essence in a perfectly portable package. Each piece comes individually wrapped in wax paper that’s almost as much fun to unfold as the candy is to eat. The peachy-pink color hints at the authentic fruit flavor inside—not too sweet, with just enough tang to make your taste buds dance.
Unlike other taffies that wage war against your dental work, this version strikes the perfect balance between chewy and soft. County fairs across Georgia feature these treats, often sold from wooden barrels where you can mix and match flavors. Though I’ve tried many variations over the years, peach remains the quintessential Georgia choice. The subtle fruit aroma brings back memories of summer evenings, fireflies, and front porch swings—childhood sweetness preserved in candy form.