I’m Kayla, and I grew up snagging candy from my older cousins. Last weekend, I grabbed a bunch of 70s candy from a retro shop and ate it all again. I shared some with my kids, and I kept a little stash for me. You know what? Some treats aged great. Some… not so much.
Let me explain.
If you want a second opinion on which chewy, fizzy, or chocolate-covered classics truly endure, peek at this deep dive into the same sugary time capsule for another retro taste-test.
If you’re hungry for even more decade-defining nostalgia, swing by Super70s and soak up the pop-culture vibes that shaped these classic sweets.
Pop Rocks: Tiny Fireworks in My Mouth
I ripped open the strawberry pack and poured it in. Snap, crackle, pop. It felt like a soda had a party on my tongue. I laughed out loud. My kids stared, then asked for more. Curious about how this crackling confection came to be? The whole story pops off on the Pop Rocks Wikipedia page.
- What I love: the sound, the fizz, the silly mood it brings.
- What I don’t: the aftertaste is a bit fake, and the blue flavor stains your tongue.
Would I buy it again? Yep. It’s a five-second joy burst.
Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip: Sugar on Sugar, and Then More Sugar
A chalky candy stick. A pouch of colored sugar. Dip, lick, repeat. I made a mess on the table. The grape hit hard. The cherry tasted like summer snow cones. The stick has no taste, yet I kept chewing it like it was a tool I needed for a job.
Fun? Yes. Clean? No. My fingers turned red, and my kid sneezed green dust. Still, it made us all giggle.
Bottle Caps: Soda Flavors Without the Soda
These little coins taste like root beer, cola, and orange soda. The root beer one was best. The texture is chalky, like Smarties with more attitude. Great for a movie night when you want sweet, not sticky.
Downside: they dry out your mouth, so keep water nearby. I got one stuck to a molar and did that weird tongue wiggle to pry it off. Cute? Not really.
Marathon Bar (RIP): The Sticky Legend
I found a copy of the old Marathon bar, like the UK Curly Wurly. It’s a long braid of caramel under chocolate. It smells rich, and it pulls like warm taffy. I loved it as a kid, until it got glued to my braces. This time, it still hit. Slow, chewy, cozy.
But it melts fast and strings everywhere. Eat it at home, not in your car. Trust me.
Shopping for a nostalgic surprise? Check out this list of boomer-approved gifts that actually get used for even more throwback crowd-pleasers.
Razzles: First It’s Candy, Then It’s Gum… Sort Of
I popped a lemon one. Sweet at first. Then it turned to gum, but the gum went stiff in a minute. It’s a cute trick. The taste is bright. The chew is short-lived. My jaw got tired, and the flavor checked out early.
Fun to try, not a daily thing.
Zotz: Sweet Outside, Fizzy Blast Inside
I bit into a cherry Zotz and boom—sour fizz shot out. I made a face, then laughed. It’s like a prank you pull on yourself. The fizz wakes you up, and the shell has a nice fruit taste.
That jolt of fizz feels a lot like a jump scare from the silver screen—see which flicks still deliver chills in this marathon of 70s horror favorites if you need another blast from the past.
Warning: don’t inhale while biting. I did once and coughed like a cartoon.
Jelly Belly: Tiny Beans, Big Flavor
These started in the mid-70s and they still feel fancy. I mixed buttered popcorn with cherry by mistake. Guess what? Not good. But toasted marshmallow and chocolate pudding together? Yes please. The texture is firm, not too sticky.
Some flavors are wild, and not in a good way (looking at you, buttered popcorn). But the bright ones—pear, watermelon, juicy peach—still shine.
Reese’s Pieces: Peanut Butter Crunch That Travels Well
Crisp shells, smooth peanut butter inside. Less messy than cups. They don’t melt in your hand as fast, which helps if you’re on a walk or stuck in a hot bleacher seat. My only gripe: they can taste a bit waxy if they’re old.
Pick a fresh bag. It matters.
Laffy Taffy: Jokes on the Wrapper, Tricks on Your Teeth
Banana is the star here. I won’t argue about it. It has that fake banana vibe that somehow works. The chew is thick and stretchy. It’s a slow candy. Good for long errands or late-night TV.
The jokes are corny, but I still read them. Be careful if you have dental work. I felt one bite tug a bit too hard, and my heart skipped.
Charms Blow Pops: Two Treats, One Stick
Cherry Blow Pop, and I’m 10 again. Big lick, then bite to hit the gum inside. Good flavor, nice crunch, and it lasts awhile. The gum loses taste fast, though. Also, sticky hands. My kid used a sleeve. I sighed.
Ring Pop: Wear It, Lick It, Try Not to Be Sticky
I put a ring pop on and felt ridiculous in a good way. The jewel shape still makes me smile. Flavor is bold, and you get a lot for the price. But it smears lips and leaves a halo of sugar on your chin if you’re chatting while licking. Learned that on a walk with a neighbor. Oops. If you’re curious about how this wearable candy became a playground fashion statement in 1979, take a peek at its Ring Pop history.
Skittles (Late 70s): Taste the Rainbow, Then Drink Water
Fruit, bright, chewy. I like the lemon and orange, and I’m loyal to red. The chew is firm, maybe too firm if the bag is old. After a handful, I needed water. Still, they’re great for road trips and game nights.
Just like some folks crave “eye candy” that’s more about curves than caramels, you can indulge in a different kind of retro-inspired treat by heading over to this collection of busty beauties with big 70s energy—there you’ll find live chat and photo galleries that deliver an adult-only nostalgia fix with all the sweet visuals you’re after.
What I’d Buy Again
- Pop Rocks, for quick joy
- Reese’s Pieces, for easy snacking
- Jelly Belly (fruit flavors), for variety
- Bottle Caps (root beer), for movie nights
- Marathon-style bar, for a slow treat at home
What Can Stay in the Time Capsule
- Razzles, since the gum fizzles fast
- Buttered popcorn Jelly Belly, unless you enjoy chaos
- Ring Pop, only for parties or photos
- Fun Dip, when I’m okay with sugar dust on everything
Little Tips from a Sugar Vet
- Check dates. Old candy gets hard, fast.
- Keep chocolate in a cool spot. Warm car equals chocolate soup.
- Share the fizzy stuff. It’s fun to watch faces.
- If you’ve got braces or crowns, be careful with taffy and caramel. I’ve done the panic tongue-check. Not fun.
Before we leave the realm of sugar highs, here’s a bonus tip for anyone whose sweet tooth turns into a craving for real-life adventure after the candy bowl is empty: if you find yourself around Michigan’s Novi area and want a grown-up outing that’s as exciting as tearing into a fresh sleeve of Pop Rocks, browse the local listings on Backpage Novi—you’ll discover a curated lineup of companions and nightlife options that can turn your retro candy run into an unforgettable night on the town.
Final Bite
70s candy still brings big mood. The textures are bold. The flavors are loud. Some pieces feel like a prank. Some feel like a hug. I didn’t love every bite, but I loved the time we had eating them together. Isn’t that the point?
Now I’m curious—are you team Pop Rocks or team Reese’s Pieces? I know my answer. But I’ll keep a Fun Dip stick around, just in case.