The 10 Best Online Mexican Candy Store Small-Businesses!

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I might be a traveler, but there is ALWAYS one place I have loved with all of my heart. That place, my good readers, is a Mexican candy store.

I love Mexican candy. I grew up with it.

Like seriously, I’m not joking. The ice cream man that rolled through my block was packed with helados and chili watermelon suckers for a quarter. In fact, there was a house around the corner that we quite literally called the “Mexican candy store” because it was, in fact, a Mexican candy store that a super sweet family ran out of their “foyer” (aka the narrow hallway after their front door and not actually a foyer).

Looking back, maybe it sounds strange that small children under 10 would wander around the corner block and into someone’s house to buy candy. But tbh the hood is the hood and we all knew each other. I’d run down the grocery store snatching all of the Mexican candy readily available in the aisles…and then promptly get my arm snatched by my mom for running in public.

ANYWAYS, my love for Mexican candy started young, and stayed with me my entire life. Although my heart is forever and always in California, I won’t lie, it’s been rough since I moved to Oregon. A lot of those growing pains have come from not having readily available quality Mexican food. While I finally HAVE found some amazing Mexican restaurants in Portland, I haven’t really found a solid Mexican candy store plug IN Oregon that can fulfill all of my candy needs.

So obviously like anyone living in the 21st century, I outsourced for my needs. Since 2010-ish, I’ve been trying to get my fix from Amazon purchases (more on that later), but I’ve been trying to rely less on Amazon and more on small businesses which brings me to this post! Over the past 2 years, I’ve been dipping and dabbing in Mexican candy store businesses that ship to (at leasttt) everywhere in the US and usually to most countries as well. And I’m excited to announce that I’ve found some really great gems!

So if you love Mexican candy, or are interested in trying it, you’re in the right place!

Origins of Mexican Candy

We’re going to start this post off with a mini-lesson. If you didn’t know, chocolate actually originated in Mexico. YEAH – take that European chocolates!!!

Not that I have anything in the game, I don’t like chocolate at all.

As the story goes, the God Quetzalcoatl (ket-zol-kooah-tle, tho many people pronounce it koowet-soul-koowatle) gave the Aztec in Mexico the cacao plant from the tree of life. Back then, both the plant and the bean were called cacahuatl. Though the Aztec primarily used the cacao bean as currency, they would also drink it.

Kinda like how people sprinkle gold dust on food now? Looking at YOU United Arab Emirates. (no judgment though, I def had gold flakes on my treats during high tea at At.Mosphere and a gold-coated ice cream cone in Abu Dhabi lol)

Anyways, instead of using sugar to sweeten the bitter cacao flavor, the Aztec used spices in the hot chocolate drinks. I’m not a chef, so don’t ask me what KIND of spices exactly goes into Mexican chocolate, but traditionally the Aztec used stuff like chili peppers.

Another popular candy that originated in Mexico – chewing gum. YAH the Azetec, Mayans, and many other Nations had some wicked FRESH TO DEATH breath. The gum comes from chicle, a latex-y product from a particular type of tree. Also back in the day, they were proper beekeepers (like actually), and used honey to mix with treats and cornmeal – and super important in Mexico’s alcohol production process (Mexican tequila anyone??)

Then, yanno, the conquistadoritos popped over for a quick chat and, along with genocide, slavery, and colonization, they also brought sugar (and wheat), which had a massiveee impact on Mexican candy.

One in particular, which you may have heard of, is dulce de leche. I wouldn’t say it necessarily “originated” from Mexico, since tons of countries around the world also make their own version of it, but it is extremely popular in Mexico. It’s literally just sugar and burnt milk. To me, it’s on a similar plane as like caramel, but just a slightttly different taste. It’s not my favorite, personally, but I do like the little razzle dazzle it adds. To be fair though, I also don’t like caramel, so I could be completely off.

For many Americans (and Europeans I would assume), the ingredient that throws people the most in Mexican candy is tamarind. It’s actually not from Mexico at all (thanks SE Asia and tropical Africa <3), but is a STAPLE in Mexican candy. It is the element that brings the “sour” part to Mexican candy, but more on that later. So while they didn’t have a Mexican candy store like today, they still had their sweet treats!

Now that we’ve zoomed through some of the history, now let’s catch up to the present.

Traditional Mexican Candy Store (s) Shopping

Before I get into some of the more boutique Mexican candy store options (or even what that MEANS), I think I should help break down what Mexican candy is and some of the more traditional fan favorites.

My blogger friend Cassie, from Mexico Cassie, did an AMAZINGGG job explaining some of Mexico’s most famous and loved candies. While I’ll touch on a few of them here, I’d highly recommend checking out her posts (both on chili candies and non-chili) for a more in-depth review of them!

So what IS Mexican candy today? In many countries around the world, candy is generally very sweet and very sugary. Sometimes, it’s sour…and still very sugary. The unique and defining thing about Mexican candy, however, is that it is a perfect melody of sweet, salty, sometimes sour, and just a bit of spice (where the chili part comes in). If you’ve ever put like…seasoning salt on your fruit (or Tajin if you want to kick it up a notch), you’re kind of in that same realm.

Wait…did I only put seasoning salt on my oranges because I grew up in Southern California…or…is that a normal thing…??

In any case, that’s the vibe of Mexican candy. When I first brought some to my undergrad roommate in Oregon, she literally hated it. HATED IT.

But alas.

Below are some of the classics of traditional Mexican candy. I’ve linked their Amazon for easy shopping/viewage, but I highly highly recommend buying them from Alamo Candy Company, a wholesaler Mexican candy store. Plus, they have a few of my MUST-HAVES that you can’t get on Amazon!

Alternatively, you can just go to your nearest Mexican grocery store.

The Classics

• Pelon Pelo Rico (the push up spaghetti hair one!)
• Vero Rebanaditas/Risandias Watermelon (chili watermelon lollies)
• Lucas (spicy chili powder)
• Baby Lucas (sweet chili powder)
• Lucas Gusano (chamoy, uhh, hard to explain but basically like if you add water to Lucas, chill it, and stir it to a syrup consistency. Yes, I used to do this at age 9 #GirlsinSTEM)
• Limon 7 (sour chili powder)
• De la Rosa Mazapan (a mini patty of sweet paste with ground almonds and honey)
• Duvalin (idk, but its kinda like frosting??? that sums it up p well haha)
• Dedos (ok these aren’t the most popular but I just love them too much to leave them off)

Other Favs (from Alamo Candy Co)

• Cherry Bombs
• Chinese Candy Chili Bag
• Picositas Belts (I LOVE THESE)
• Chamoy Dill Pickle

The BEST Boutique Online Mexican Candy Store (s)

Alright alright, NOW THE JUICY STUFF. The reason for this entire post. Literally, it only takes one good online Mexican candy store to transform your life.

And I’ve found EIGHT.

Looking back, I probably should have been typing out a description of each Mexican candy store and their products AS I ate them and freshly had the taste on my lips. But I honestly wasn’t even going into it thinking about making a blog post about it; I just wanted to find some candy. Plus, I rarely do ANYTHING at the proper time, so here we are.

The following small businesses are all Mexican and Mexican-American owned, which is dope. Most of the ones I tried were also coincidentally in Texas.

Huh.

I guess it makes sense.

What makes them “boutique” though? Mostly just that they’re a step out of the conventional and traditional options and…okay, they’re basically just classic American candy covered in chili powder and/or chamoy. A beautiful fusion from candy heaven if you will. These stores have their own special recipes for combining chili powder, spices, and chamoy as well, so don’t expect them to taste the same either!

Please enjoy and support these small Mexican candy store (s) for all of your online boutique Mexican candy cravings.

Pica Pica

Brownsville, Texas

I’m going to start off with the biggest and possibly the most well-known out of this list. Honestly, I don’t even think they’re considered a small-business anymore really haha. Pica Pica has a huge variety of candy options, though hands down my favorite from Pica Pica are their skittlez (though I no longer see them on their website) and sour punch straws! They also offer chamoy rim dips (for rimming glasses and whatnot), and even a subscription box!

I will say that out of all of the small businesses on this list, Pica Pica is probably the spicest (in terms of heat).

Sweet ‘n Spicy Treats

Amarillo, Texas

From the get-go, I love sour straws. So my favorite thing about Sweet ‘n Spicy Treats is that they have such a variety of chili sour straws. They also have my ABSOLUTE FAVORITEEEE chili suckers. Or uh, lollipops, whatever you want to call them. I think it’s because they use jolly rancher lollipops. Out of this whole list, get your chili pops here. I stock up on them about once a quarter. They are definitely on the sweeter side of the chili spectrum.

Enchilositos Gummies

Bothell, Washington

A little bit more local of a Mexican candy store, located in Washington (state), and definitely up there with some of the best. What I love from Enchilositos Gummies are their jolly ranchers. For some reason…not many stock jolly rancher chili candies. I don’t know why, but really, it’s a shame because they’re DELICIOUS. The perfect sweet and spicy combo. They also have great variety boxes if you want to try a bit of everything.

Picosita Candy

Goodyear, Arizona

I absolutely love love love Cindy from Picosita Candy. Literally the SWEETEST person, and while all of her candy taste delicious, she has one in particular that keeps me coming back. The spicy airheads. THEY ARE TO DIEEE FOR!!!! Also the lemonheads! UGH so good. The chili spice mix on the airheads (and all the candy) is my favorite. Definitely has the spice, but a little milder than say Pica Pica.

Aw man, now I’m just drooling from thinking about those airheads. Brb, I need to order some real quick.

Iced Above

Los Angeles, California

Let me tell ya. Iced Above knows how to PARTY. But first, lets talk candy. If you like really wet and soft gummies, Iced Above is going to be your spot. While they have all of the usual fusions, some stand outs here would be their keto candies, giant watermelon paletas/suckers that are coated in tamarind, as well as their pineapple and mango gummy bears.

Another thing you’re not going to find ANYWHERE else is their chamoy chili limon pistachios!

Back to the above point though. They are the BEST Mexican candy store for parties. They have michelada party boxes of all different themes. You can even buy a pack of pre-chamoy-rimmed cups!! They have lightbulb cups, cute bottles, and even chili-covered pickles on a stick.

Chilito Loco

Mcallen, Texas

Chilito Loco is SUPER cute. The standout here, in my humble opinion anyway, are the gushers and fruit roll ups. Personallyyyy, I’m not the biggest fan when they’re totally soaked and dripping in chamoy or wet chili, so these ones were perfect. Plus, with their chamoy heavy treats, they offer a mini dipping cup of chamoy on the side! The skittles are also delicious – and have you SEEENNN the packaging? Absolutely adorable!!

ALSOOO, they have the cutest Chilito Loco DIY kits so you can actually make your own with your preferred amount of chili and/or chamoy! It’s honestly like they thought of everything. Loves it.

Sticky Fingers Chamoy

Portland, Oregon

And to round off the list, we’re going to end with a local (Portland, Oregon) favorite of mine, Sticky Fingers Chamoy. They singlehandedly have the best chili starbursts, but their sour belts are equally delicious. I mentioned that I’m not a fan of mango so I haven’t tried it, but they have a fresh chili mango that everyone raves about.

They are a little lighter on the chili compared to the other Mexican candy store businesses on this list, so if you aren’t looking to be slapped in the face with chili, this shop will be your friend. Oh and they have these genius little miche bombs that you can drop in any beer or beverage – super fun!

Tips for Buying from a Mexican Candy Store Online

It might seem like obvious advice, but buying from a Mexican candy store online is a little different than buying in-person at a Mexican candy store. The first being, well, the actual taste.

Since many little boutique Mexican candy store spots make up their own spice mixes, you can’t really tell what it’ll taste like in the end. It might be spicier than what you prefer. Or too sour. Or too sweet.

Or just gross.

Hopefully not the last one though.

So if you are particular for or against a particular side of the spectrum, I would recommend reaching out and asking the business personally.

Or. Yanno. Just jump in with your eyes closed. It’s a Mexican candy store, not open-heart surgery. You’ll be aight.

Another thing that I would be aware of is the season and/or temperatures. Especially since many of these Mexican candy store businesses are in Texas, Southern California, and Arizona…it gets HOT there. Candy doesn’t like heat. Chamoy doesn’t like heat either.

So. If you’re ordering in the summer, your candies have a good chance of literally melting in the mail. Some businesses may limit their shipping to days where the packages are sent out immediately, but others don’t. So read their shipping policies in the summer and keep the heat in mind. If your candy shows up melted, don’t hate the Mexican candy store, hate the game.

And by game, I mean catastrophic climate change.

If you’re lucky, you may be able to find a local Mexican candy store so you don’t have to worry about all dat. Some of my other go-to’s in Portland are Pica Drip, Ice Queen, Sweet Creature.

My last piece of advice. You’re ingesting a lot of sodium with these candies. Just stay hydrated luv <3

Boutique Mexican Candy Store (s): Conclusion

Omg, wow. So I did not expect this post to be so long. Seriously, Mexican candy is my favorite treat and putting this list of small businesses together has been the biggest pleasure of mine. I have personally tried each and every single business that has made it on this list (and even more businesses that didn’t make the list), so I hope you enjoy your Mexican-American fusion experience as much as I did. And continue to do.

On that note, with Mexico as one of my favorite countries in the world, it is my honor to share Mexican and Mexican-American small businesses. Especially in the USA, where business loans and rental spaces and redlining is so racially discriminatory, I want to support both with my own pocketbook and also share my finds with others. If you haven’t already checked out my favorite boutique Mexican online stores blog post, please please PLEASE go there next. There I list my favorite clothing and accessory stores, home decor, and even art – all from Mexican, Mexican-American, and Indigenous small businesses.

Also if you’re a Latine traveler (or even if you aren’t), you gotta take a look at my friends who are Latinx Travel Bloggers. They have a great perspective on travel that I wouldn’t necessarily pick up on, especially in Latin destinations, and they’re all amazing people and content creators.

A’ight, that’s all for today folks. Do you have a favorite Mexican candy? Or did you find a new Mexican candy store that you’re interested in checking out? Is your favorite Mexican candy store missing from the list? Let me know in the comments below!

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If you need me, I’ll be in a Mexican candy store~

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