Sweet treats for 90s kids: 5 nostalgic childhood candies with a twist
Want to relive your childhood in your upcoming Halloween meet-ups? Or maybe you're looking for some unique treats to give out for trick-or-treat in the neighborhood.
Age knows no number when it comes to enjoying the lovely snacks and goodies you had as a kid.
In case you want to level up your celebrations, here are a few unique and modern twists on classic childhood candies that you can easily order online.
Bazooka Bubble Gum
Remember Bazooka bubble gum? The American brand of bubble gum was first introduced in 1947 and became popular among Pinoy kids during the 80s and 90s. The chewing gum, which is celebrating its 75th year, originally came packed with tiny old-school comic strips featuring the character Bazooka Joe.
ICYMI, in 2019, the brand released the Bazooka Throwback pack which features the original flavor Bazooka Bubble Gum wrapped in classic comics inspired by the iconic original packaging.
If you’re looking for something new, you can also find a Bazooka Bubble Gum Flavored Soda, available from online shopping platforms such as Shopee and Lazada. The taste is described as a combination of strawberry, banana, and fruit punch combined with a sweetened effervescent soft drink. Price for the soda ranges from P135 to P180 depending on the seller, while the 6-piece mini-wallet Bazooka throwback pack costs P115.
White Rabbit Milk Candy
White Rabbit Creamy Candy is a brand of milk candy manufactured by Shanghai Guan Sheng Yuan Food, Ltd. in China that has been in production since 1943.
Known for its iconic red-white-and-blue packaging and thin edible paper-like wrapping inside made from sticky rice, White Rabbit has been a beloved childhood treat among generations of Asian kids around the world.
These days, you can find modern White Rabbit-flavored inspired treats, from roll cakes and ice creams, being sold in various restaurants and cafes.
In case you haven't tried it yet, you can buy a White Rabbit-inspired milk tea online for as little as P69 on Lazada. The White Rabbit Milk Tea Powder by MilkTea Mate brings nostalgia of your childhood favorite candy and comes in four flavors including Peach Oolong Tea, French-style Milk Tea, Genki Black Tea, Sea Salt and Cheese.
You can also find a nostalgic White Rabbit popsicle-style ice cream being sold from local ice cream shop Chill'd MNL for P370 per box. The creamy taste and texture are sure to offer a nostalgic and comforting treat to young and old alike.
Choc Nut
For Pinoy kids, Choc Nut, a candy bar made with peanuts, sugar, milk powder, cocoa powder, and vanilla, has endured as one of the country's most-consumed children's treats.
Over the years, Choc-Nut has become an icon of Pinoy pop culture, and was given a prominent role in the graphic novel series Trese by Budjette Tan and Kajo Balidisimo, and featured in the Netflix animated adaptation in 2021, after which it enjoyed a bit of a resurgence.
Choc Nut was originally manufactured by the Malabon-based New Unity Sweets Manufacturing Corporation (Unisman) since the 1970s, but eventually came under the ownership of Annie's Manufacturing and Packaging Corporation (which produces Choc Nut's rival brand, Hany) in 2013.
ICYDK, in 2018 Choc Nut extended its product line to include a sweetened chocolate peanut spread available in 165 grams and 330 grams bottles. You can also find a Premium Dark version of the Choc-Nut sandwich spread and a Choc-Nut chocolate milk drink mix available in The N&C shop, ChocNut Spread, and across Shopee and Lazada.
Other Choc-Nut based treats include Chocnut Ice Cream by The Lost Bread (P350/pint or P750 for 1.5 liters) and Choc Nut Crinkles by Overdoughs (P199/box of 5 or P549 for a box of 15) which you can order at www.overdoughs.ph and Overdoughs’ physical stores and online food delivery platforms such as Grab, Foodpanda, Pick-A-Roo, and RiderKo.
Haw Haw
Similar in taste to White Rabbit Candy, HawHaw Milk Candy is a Philippine-made solid milk-flavored candy known for its rich, creamy, and milky flavor. ICYDK, a Haw Haw Milk Spread inspired by the popular kiddie snack exists and can be bought for just P200 for 330 grams. You can buy this online from Pick & Click’s Facebook page.
Other delectable and creamy treats include Haw Haw Milk Ice Cream (P350/pint or P750 for 1.5 liters), and Haw Haw Cold Brew Latte, a 24-hour cold brew coffee with HawHaw milk candy and fresh milk (P160) from ice cream shop The Lost Bread.
Peter's Butter Ball
Peter's Butter Ball is a butterscotch-flavored hard candy that's been around since 1967. The candy is said to have been named after the Peter Paul Candy Manufacturing Company, an American candymaker that was licensed by a local partner here in the Philippines.
While you can still buy the candy in its original form, you can also find a Peter's Butter Ball Milk Tea by Labestra’s Milk Tea House available in 16 oz and 22 oz sizes. The milk tea house also serves a whole range of other candy-inspired drinks, from X.O., Oreos, and more.
(with research from Katelyn Alvarez)