Top 5 Best Sour Candies To Make Your Mouth Water

Hold onto your taste buds, candy lovers, because we’re about to embark on a wild, lip-puckering adventure through the world of sour candy! Whether you’re a seasoned sour enthusiast who lives for that eye-watering tang or a curious newbie daring to dance with a citrusy delight, we’ve got the ultimate guide to the best sour candies that will twist your tongue and tickle your taste buds.

As always, we at EdNews have researched across 10 existing reviews to bring you today's ranking of the best sour candy! Don't see your favorite on the list? No worries, we would love to hear from you in the comments down below! 

The List

1. Toxic Waste

Remember those fun little neon overflowing barrels from when you were a kid? If you do, then you'll know why Toxic Waste is number one on our list. If not, you'll just have to try it for yourself. “Taking the crown as the most sour candy in the world is Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour. These small, hard candies are the ultimate test for sour candy aficionados. With the highest sour intensity, duration, and coating on our list, Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour lives up to its name by delivering an incredibly potent and long-lasting sour experience. The high acidity level and diverse flavor options only add to the intensity, making this candy the ultimate challenge for those brave enough to take it on. If you're searching for the sourest of the sour, look no further than Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour,” says Candy Store.

Get ready to experience a sour sensation! “What sets Toxic Waste Candy apart from other sour candies is its double-action super sour formula. Not only does it have an intensely sour outer layer, but it also has a sour powder center that adds an extra punch of sourness. This combination of flavors creates an explosion of sourness in your mouth that is hard to beat,” writes FreshersLive.

The name doesn't lie. “This bit is relatively vicious, regardless of how you look at it. Printed on the packet of toxic waste is fifteen seconds; you're a wuss. Sixty seconds, you're a hero. It is undoubtedly the sourest of the huddle. The tartness of poisonous waste can dissolve your tooth enamel, so brush your teeth or gargle your mouth afterward,” explains Candy Paradise.

2. Sour Patch Kids

Next up is Sour Patch Kids—a tried and true option when it comes to mouth-puckering treats. “Sour Patch Kids top our list of the best sour candies. They have a first-rate balance of sweetness and sourness, as well as the most satisfying texture for snacking. It should come as no surprise, seeing how they are one of the most popular candies. In a 2019 survey by Statista, children were asked what their favorite non-chocolate Halloween treats were. Sour Patch Kids took up a good portion of the votes,” states The Daily Meal.

These little sour guys are always up to no good from the taste they leave in your mouth to the mischief they get into on commercials. “For a sour candy to be great, it needs to be sour enough to make you wince a bit but not so much that it becomes a challenge instead of food. Sour Patch Kids strike that balance perfectly. If they were any more sour, they'd be hard to eat, but they're just mild enough to keep you reaching for more,” raves Mashed.

“We are often comparing, in jest, our loved ones to Sour Patch Kids due to the mixture of sweet and sour elements. When you consume Sour Patch Kids, you can understand the correlation between the two. Biting into one of the candies gives you an instant burst of tartness you don't expect. After the initial blast, the candy turns sweet. Sound like any toddlers you may know? You can find Sour Patch Kids in different styles, even candy canes at Christmas! New varieties are constantly popping up on the market, some being seasonal and others sticking around for the long term. My go-to is always the original pack,” describes Restaurant Clicks.

3. Warheads Extreme Sour

Of course, Warheads had to make the list. Wally Warhead himself depicts just how sour these candies are on the wrapper. “Warheads hit you with sourness right off the bat. Then, the mouth-puckering sensation persists for quite some time. The candy's secret to long-lasting flavor is in a layering of ingredients. Warheads get their sourness from malic acid, which is then coated in a layer of hydrogenated palm oil, helping to give each candy the effect of a time-release capsule. As you eat the candy, the oil disintegrates, exposing a sour flavor. If you can stand it, you'll be rewarded sweetly. The sourness gives way to sugar within, which is what we love most about Warheads Extreme Sour candies,” says The Daily Meal.

Don't mess around with Wally Warhead. “The confection that puts sour candy on the map packs a more significant initial punch than Toxic Waste, but it wears off a lot quicker. That said, it's the perfect late afternoon treat if you're in the office and have a hankering for something that will wake you up and isn't another pricey Starbucks latte,” adds Food Network.

“With an impressive sour intensity, duration, and coating, Warheads Extreme Sour delivers a powerful punch followed by a sweet and fruity flavor that brings relief once the sourness subsides. The high acidity level and variety of flavors make Warheads Extreme Sour a popular choice among those seeking a thrilling and intense sour candy experience,” notes Candy Store.

4. Cry Baby Tears

There's no crying in candy! Okay, maybe there is, and the cause is Cry Baby Tears. “Cry Baby Tears offers a powerful sour punch that's sure to make your eyes water. These small, hard candies come in a variety of fruit flavors and boast a high intensity, long duration, and a substantial sour coating. The acidity level is also quite high, ensuring that Cry Baby Tears delivers a memorable and mouth-puckering experience. For those who love a bold and intense sour candy, Cry Baby Tears are a must-try,” says Candy Store.

If you're a sour candy fan, these candies may induce tears of joy. “We're convinced these were made to turn any grown man or woman into a crybaby! See if you can handle them! These appropriately shaped teardrop candies are a classic when sour candy comes to mind, and a must try to anyone who thinks they can stand up to the test,” states Candy Funhouse.

“The consensus among sour candy fanatics is that Cry Baby Tears Extra Sour Candy are some of the most mouth-puckering hard candies out there. They are literally shaped like tears! A retro candy, they seem to have gotten overshadowed by some of the newer candies on this list, but they still have a dedicated following of extreme candy lovers,” adds Candy Club.

5. Sour Skittles

Last but certainly not least on our list belongs to the sour sister of the original Skittles candy. That's right, the fifth on our list is Sour Skittles. “A lot of sour candy fans don't realize that one of the most readily available sour snacks (other than Sour Patch Kids) is also one of the most extreme. Sour Skittles are so wonderfully offensive that they literally make your gums peel if eaten in excess. We're not entirely sure if that's appealing or your idea of a nightmare, so we'll just let you decide and not cast any judgments,” notes Food Network.

How do they get their tang? “These candies are coated in citric acid, the same acid that gives lemons their tart taste. If you like sour candies, we highly recommend you try these. Each bag comes with candies flavored with strawberry, orange, lemon, green apple, and grape. Surprisingly, each flavor holds its own. It's easy to tell them apart while eating. Additionally, each candy maintains the right balance of sweetness, sourness, and refreshingly fruity flavor,” adds The Daily Meal.

This is the perfect candy for Skittles lovers who want a little extra oomph. “You can trust that when Skittles promise sour, they're bringing sour. As one taster put it: ‘It's super sour, makes you pucker…gives you that bite, has that texture—it's everything you want.' Jordan, who fondly remembers eating these with her cool, older next-door neighbor, suggests putting the candy directly on your tongue to get the most out of the stabby sour sensation. Skittles also sells a sour gummy that's plenty good but doesn't have the same face-slapping sourness or that classic Skittles crunch we love,” writes Sporked.

Sources used to create this consensus list

• Sporked
• The Daily Meal
• Food Network
• Mashed
• Restaurant Clicks
• Candy Store
• FreshersLive
• Candy Paradise
• Candy Club
• Candy Funhouse

Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. EdNews is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.