The Best Lemon Candies Ever Created
Lemon candies don’t often take center stage, but the best ones deliver bold, tangy flavor with just the right mix of sweetness and bite. Once known as simple remedies, they’ve become beloved worldwide, appearing in everything from soft Japanese chews to sparkling Italian drops. Here are 15 of the greatest lemon candies ever made.
Nobel Super Lemon Candy
Credit: ebay
This Japanese hard candy doesn’t hold back. It hits first with a burst of citric acid so strong it feels like a challenge. Once that initial shock fades, the candy settles into a smoother lemon flavor that’s bright, balanced, and refreshingly clean.
Perle Di Sole Lemon Drops
Credit: Facebook
Made with certified lemons from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, these hard candies offer more than just surface-level citrus. The glossy shell breaks with a satisfying crack and reveals a fizzy lemon powder inside. There’s a slow build to a tart burst that tastes as clean and punchy as real lemon juice.
Haribo Ginger Lemon Gummy
Credit: Facebook
This is a soft gummy hybrid featuring ginger and lemon, a combination that feels more like an herbal tea than a candy store grab. The lemon hits first, clean and bright, followed by a warm ginger finish. Both flavors taste natural, and the gummy itself is dense.
Kamu Kamu Lemon Candy
Credit: ebay
True to its name, which echoes the sound of chewing, this candy sits between a Hi-Chew and a firm taffy in texture. The flavor stays sharply sour all the way through, with only a faint touch of sweetness appearing at the end.
Lemonheads
Credit: Facebook
Few candies are more iconic. With a crisp outer shell and a chewy core, Lemonheads have kept the same simple formula for more than sixty years. The shell brings a burst of tart citrus, and the center follows with a quick, sugary finish that keeps them addictive.
Claey’s Lemon Drops
Credit: Instagram
These dusted hard candies date back to 1919, and they still feel like something you’d find in a general store. Unlike the overly sweet hard candies that fill most shelves, Claey’s version skews tart. The outer coating delivers a granular sugar-lemon mix, and the candy dissolves slowly, giving each piece longevity.
Morinaga Suppaichu Lemon Chews
Credit: ebay
Fans of Hi-Chew will find these instantly familiar. Suppaichu, from the Japanese word suppai for sour, lives up to its name. Each chew begins with a sharp, tangy coating that quickly gives way to a softer lemon center. The flavor stays bright without becoming overly sweet, and the texture stays smooth instead of sticky.
See’s Candies Lemon Truffle
Credit: Instagram
This one’s for chocolate lovers who don’t mind a little citrus in their confections. Wrapped in dark chocolate, the creamy lemon filling inside cuts through the bitterness with its gentle brightness. The texture contrast between soft center and firm shell makes it more than a one-note bite.
Brach’s Lemon Drops
Credit: amazon
Brach’s lemon drops are uncomplicated but consistent. Round, solid, and slightly dusty with sugar, they offer an initial burst of citrus, followed by a slow melt into sweetness. Not overly sour or overly sweet, they hit that middle lane well. These work equally well as a treat or an after-dinner palate cleanser.
Marich Yuzu Lemon Caramels
Credit: Instagram
It sits somewhere between lemon, grapefruit, and mandarin. Marich blends it with classic lemon and wraps it all inside white chocolate-covered caramels. The result leans more elegant than aggressive, with a silky chew and citrusy lift. These even earned recognition at the 2024 Most Innovative New Product Awards.
Nerds Lemonade Wild Cherry
Credit: amazon
The lemonade side of this two-tone Nerds combo provides a quick pop of acid, followed by a sugary crunch. Mixed with wild cherry, it makes for a punchy back-and-forth that works better than expected. They’re fun to eat by the handful or mixed with other Nerds flavors for chaotic candy snacking.
Kanro Puré Lemon Gummy
Credit: ebay
Unlike most gummies, Puré includes a pulpy center and a dusting of coarse sour sugar. Each heart-shaped piece delivers a soft chew surrounded by an initial sour burst. The inside is juicy rather than sticky, and the lemon flavor comes through bright and natural.
Jolly Rancher Lemon (Retro Edition)
Credit: X
Lemon wasn’t always part of the permanent Jolly Rancher lineup, but during the ’90s, it had a cult following. When re-released in special packs or online-only drops, fans scramble to grab them. The candy itself holds to the brand’s signature toughness and longevity, offering a sharp citrus flavor that lingers.
Fujiya Lemon Squash Crunch Candy
Credit: Instagram
This candy takes its cue from Japan’s Lemon Squash soda and delivers a mix of texture and zest. The shell cracks cleanly to reveal a lively lemon flavor that almost fizzes on the tongue. It isn’t truly carbonated, yet the bright, soda-like taste gives that impression.
Warheads Lemon
Credit: Reddit
Few candies are as notorious for tongue punishment as Warheads. The lemon version leads with an almost aggressive sourness, backed by a citric and malic acid combo designed to sting. But after that harsh opening act, the center mellows into a sweet lemon finish.