Candy is a big deal in Sweden - it's a cultural touchstone for many rooted in the childhood tradition of being allowed to choose a bag of "Saturday candy" on the weekend. Now the colourful Scandanavian treats are enjoying a surge in popularity all over the globe thanks to social media.
Videos showing people digging into bags of chewy, sweet or sour candy gummies or licorice are part of an ongoing viral Swedish candy trend on TikTok and Instagram. One business that is pleasing palates is based in Vancouver, and they have the option to shop online for delivery or pick-up, but you can also visit their shop on select days and live out your "kid in a candy store" dream.
Karameller began in 2015 as a Swedish candy emporium with a modest storefront in Yaletown. Ultimately, the shop closed down in 2020, but the business carried on, thanks to a new owner who initially imagined picking up the Karameller torch as an online-only business.
However, as customers began popping over to Karameller's Kitsilano commissary space, it seemed like opening up the shop to the public a few afternoons a week would be great for business.
And then came the TikTok videos.
Karameller sources its candy from Sweden, and sells only treats made without GMOs, high-fructose corn syrup, or trans fats.
The treats range from licorice in a variety of flavours like lemon rhubarb, strawberry, or salty, to deeply sour gummy "bottles" like Raspberry Pucker. They sell all sorts of logs, skulls, and "bubs," the big chewy ovals that are a hallmark of Swedish candy.
The Karameller shop sells mixes in a variety of sizes, including assorted just sours or even Swedish chocolate candies. You can also talk to the shop staff about what your candy likes and dislikes are and they will put together a mix for you, scooping and picking from their stock, which is in the front section as well as the bustling back area where many online orders are being filled.
For true Swedish candy enthusiasts, Karameller also offers a monthly "candy subscription" program, which gets sweet tooths ten 100-gram bags of candy sent to them at the start of each month.
Karameller is located at 1740 W 2nd Ave in Vancouver and is open Wednesday to Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
Watch: Visiting Vancouver's Swedish candy shop, Karameller
@forkingawesomevia Swedish candy in Vancouver! 🇸🇪🍬Choose pre made bags including mixes or build your own. In person or order online. Address in the video as always! #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #swedishcandy ♬ Aesthetic Vibes - sxldi
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