Chapman community unwraps the debate on the best Halloween candy

From sweet to sour and caramel to coconut, the Chapman community discusses their stance on the top Halloween candy. UNSPLASH

Growing up, every Halloween for freshman psychology major Devan Hodson consisted of three things. First, she had to have a stellar costume (a pumpkin at the age of four was a fan favorite). Next, she chose a plastic jack-o'-lantern as her weapon of choice for carrying her candy haul. Finally, when given the option to pick out the ultimate sweet treat from house to house, it would exclusively be Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. 

"You know how some people like to leave the bowl out on their front porch and you can take whatever you want?" Hodson said. "I would always take (Reese's Peanut Butter Cups). I just always had the most of that. I was always really happy with my bag, always full of peanut butter cups."

With over 300,000 tons of candy sold during the Halloween season, one might wonder what candy takes the SweeTart crown and Hershey scepter as the ruler of the candy universe. Famous candy arguments in the past have been Red Vines vs. Twizzlers, gummy bears vs. gummy worms, left Twix vs. right Twix or the controversy on if candy corn is delicious or foul — with none of them having a decided winner. 

The Panther sought out to hear where Chapman students stand on the great candy debacle. 

Junior creative producing major Katie Albright told The Panther the delectable cookie-crunch interior and chocolatey exterior is what keeps a Twix candy bar near and dear to her heart. While she spent Halloweens dressed in a tiger onesie, carrying a pillowcase while scouring the neighborhood for king-size Twix bars, Albright said she is happy other people enjoy the candies she despises. 

"I'm never going to change my answer from Twix," Albright said. "For people who don't like Twix, I'm not going to force them to eat Twix. If people like black licorice — thank God, someone's gotta eat it."

Even if Hodson cannot wrap her mind around someone preferring an Almond Joy over a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, she said the beauty of having differences in opinions can lead to the best candy swaps. 

"(Almond Joys are) one of my mom's favorite candies, which I don't understand," Hodson said. "So when I was a kid, I would always give them to her whenever I got them. " 

Nevertheless, the argument of what candy is the best is still at large. In an article from Thrillist, they ranked Reese's Peanut Butter Cups as first, Twix second and Snickers third. Albright said she was shocked to hear her prized candy placed second. But, she said anyone who is a fan of candy on the chocolate spectrum is much easier to persuade to like Twix as opposed to the sour and savory admirers. 

"I would honestly give up (trying to convince them to eat Twix) if they were like, 'Gummy worms are better,'" Albright said. "If it was a matter of someone who says they like another chocolate thing better than Twix, I would totally debate it. Till the day I die, 100%."

As to why so many people can never seem to agree upon the champion of all candies, Albright said she wonders if a liking to specific candy relates to someone's upbringing. Albright said it could be based on memories gathered around eating Kit Kats together or having a household that never puts away its cookie jar might psychologically alter their view of sweets. 

"I've always been interested in understanding how people's lifestyles when growing up affects their eating palette," Albright said. "But just when it comes to growing up, I think the way that your parents let you or react when it comes to sugar really determines how you view candy."

As opposed to sticking with one candy her whole life, sophomore business major Sydney Rabuchin said that anything from Skittles to Starburst to Mike and Ike candies appeal to her liking. Whether she was a ballerina or a green Crayola crayon for Halloween, Rabuchin said that she understands her preferences in candy are not entitled for the whole world to side with her. 

"Some people are really set in their own opinions and they think everyone should think that way, Rabuchin said. “I think I like a (certain) candy the most, but that doesn't mean it is the best candy in the world.”

With Halloween just over a week away, Rabuchin said that candy should be something that brings ghosts and goblins together, not make them tear each other apart. Come on now, let's just be grateful that we are getting actual candy and not rocks like Charlie Brown. 

"Recognize that your favorite candy is your own opinion and your own taste buds," Rabuchin said. "It's not like a worldview or the best one out of every candy. Everyone has different taste buds."