It’s candy season, and every American state seems to have its own cravings as the holiday season approaches.
CandyStore.com, a Los Angeles-based wholesale candy website, believes it has narrowed down America’s best “Christmas candies” after surveying its customer base, candy makers and retailers, about seasonal orders and preferences.
The online candy store said it received more than 16,000 responses for its “Most Popular Christmas candy by state” Opinion poll.
Twelve candies came out on top in the 50 states and Washington, DC
While peppermint bark is the top choice in eight states, CandyStore.com identified some surprising top fruit-flavored picks, like Skittles and Starburst.
Candy canes are the number one choice in two states, while dozens of other states side with chocolate candy, including Chocolate Santas, Hershey’s Kisses, Kit Kat, M&M’s, Reese’s Cups and Reese’s Pieces.
The only vanilla-flavored candy to make CandyStore.com’s “Most Popular” list is Reindeer Corn, a festive tricolor candy corn treat made by various candy makers.
Here’s a state breakdown of CandyStore.com’s Christmas candy map.
candy canes
States that prefer candy canes:
–Louisiana
-Oregon
Chocolate Santas
States that prefer chocolate Santas:
–Alaska
-Mississippi
-New Mexico
-North Dakota
-Ohio
Hershey kisses
States that prefer Hershey’s Kisses:
–Arizona
-Maine
-Missouri
-South Dakota
-Utah
kit cat
States that prefer the Kit Kat:
–Massachusetts
-Oklahoma
M&M’s
States that favor M&Ms:
–Iowa
-Idaho
-Kentucky
-New Hampshire
– South Carolina
-Virginia
– Wyoming
peppermint bark
States that prefer peppermint bark:
–Illinois
-Kansas
-Michigan
-Minnesota
-Nebraska
-Rhode Island
-Tennessee
-West Virginia
reindeer corn
States that prefer reindeer corn:
–Alabama
Reese’s Cup Minis
States that prefer Reese’s Cup Minis:
–California
-Colorado
-Indiana
-Maryland
-Pennsylvania
-Texas
-Washington
Reese’s pieces
States that prefer Reese’s Pieces:
–Montana
skittles
States that favor bowling:
–New Jersey
giggles
States that prefer Snickers:
–District of Columbia
-Florida
-Georgia
-New York
-Vermont
starburst
States that prefer Starburst:
–Arkansas
-Connecticut
– Delaware
-Hawaii
-North Carolina
-Nevada
-Wisconsin
CandyStore.com is reporting that Peppermint Bark is on a “cooldown” and that candy canes are on a “drop.”
Peppermint bark reportedly fell six points from a year ago, while candy canes fell four points.
“Candy canes are not the all-time favorite Christmas treats you might think,” CandyStore.com wrote in its report. “They’re actually often on the list of the WORST Christmas candies.”
“People who don’t like them cite that they’re messy to eat, difficult to unwrap in one piece, and become spicy and dangerous after a while,” the report continued.
CandyStore.com reports that approximately 150 million chocolate Santas are produced each Christmas.
