Swedish sour candy is on another level. The sour coatings are more intense, the flavors are more complex, and the textures are more satisfying than anything you'll find in an American gas station. Here are the 12 best, ranked by sourness, flavor, and overall experience.
How We Ranked These Candies
These rankings consider three factors: sourness intensity (how much your face will contort), flavor complexity (does it taste like something besides "sour"?), and overall satisfaction (would you buy it again?). Sourness is measured on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being "why would you do this to yourself?"
The 12 Best Swedish Sour Candies
1. BUBS Sour Skulls
Sourness: 4/5 | Overall Rating: 5/5
🛒 Shop BUBS Sour Skulls at Mums →
🛒 Also available at Swedish Sweets →
BUBS Sour Skulls are the gateway to Swedish sour candy. They hit hard with a crystal sour coating that creates an immediate pucker, but underneath is a surprisingly sweet berry flavor that balances the sourness perfectly. The texture is satisfying — firm enough to have resistance when you bite down, not so soft that they dissolve immediately. These are the Swedish sour candy everyone should try first because they prove that sourness can be sophisticated.
2. BUBS Sour Watermelon
Sourness: 3.5/5 | Overall Rating: 4.5/5
🛒 Shop BUBS Watermelon at Mums →
🛒 Also available at Swedish Sweets →
Watermelon is a criminally underrated flavor in American candy. Swedish BUBS nailed it — bright, fruity, and complex. The sour coating is less aggressive than the Skulls, making this more accessible for people who like flavor more than pure sourness. The watermelon taste is authentic enough to convince you that you're eating something that actually grew in nature.
3. Malaco Sura Skallar (Sour Stones)
Sourness: 4.5/5 | Overall Rating: 4/5
These are different from BUBS — smaller, firmer, and significantly more sour. Sura Skallar come in mixed berry flavors, but the sourness is the star here. Your mouth will water immediately upon eating one. The texture is almost granular, like they're made of compressed sugar with a sour coating. If you're looking for pure sourness, this is where you go.
4. BUBS Sour Berry Mix
Sourness: 3.5/5 | Overall Rating: 4.5/5
A mixed assortment of BUBS sour candies in various berry flavors. The consistency across flavors is impressive — each one tastes distinctly different (strawberry, blueberry, raspberry) but maintains the same quality standard. Great for exploring flavor variety without committing to a single flavor. The sour coating is heavy enough to be serious but not so aggressive that it overpowers the fruit flavors underneath.
5. Malaco Super Sura (Super Sour)
Sourness: 5/5 | Overall Rating: 3.5/5
This is where Malaco says "enough is enough." Super Sura are intensely sour — not for casual eating, but for people who've graduated beyond regular sour candy and want to prove something to themselves. The coating is so aggressive that it practically makes your entire mouth water. The flavor underneath is simple (mostly generic berry), but that's almost irrelevant when the sourness is this dominant. Buy these if you're confident in your sour tolerance.
6. BUBS Sour Apple
Sourness: 3/5 | Overall Rating: 4/5
Green apple is a flavor that separates experienced sour candy enthusiasts from casual eaters. The tartness of apple combined with the sour coating creates a complexity that other flavors don't achieve. This candy tastes less like manufactured "apple candy" and more like actual tart apples. Great for people who want flavor sophistication alongside their sourness.
7. Malaco Sura Nappar (Sour Nipples)
Sourness: 3.5/5 | Overall Rating: 4/5
Yes, this is the actual Swedish name. Don't ask why — just accept that Swedish candy naming is delightfully weird. These cone-shaped candies have a strawberry filling with a powerful sour coating. The structure is interesting because the filling is creamy and sweet, creating a flavor progression: sour exterior, then sweet middle. It's like the candy is designed to trick your mouth.
8. BUBS Sour Peach
Sourness: 3/5 | Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Peach is an underrated fruit flavor that BUBS executes beautifully. The sour coating is moderate (perfect for people who find Super Sura too intense), and the peach flavor is authentic enough that you'll taste actual stone fruit complexity. This is the candy that converts people who think they don't like sour — it proves that sour can enhance fruit flavor rather than overpower it.
9. Malaco Sura Cola (Sour Cola)
Sourness: 3/5 | Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Cola-flavored sour candy is a Swedish specialization. This tastes like actual cola (not the artificial cola flavor of American root beer) with a significant sour punch. The flavor-to-sourness ratio is balanced well, but cola is a polarizing flavor — you either love it or find it kind of weird. If you love cola, this is your candy.
10. BUBS Mixed Sour Berries (Variety Pack)
Sourness: 3.5/5 | Overall Rating: 4.5/5
A grab-bag of BUBS sour varieties that lets you explore multiple flavors without committing to massive quantities of any single one. The consistency across flavors is the real achievement here — each candy maintains quality while offering distinct flavor experiences. Perfect for people who love sour but get bored with single flavors.
11. Malaco Sura Toner (Sour Tones)
Sourness: 4/5 | Overall Rating: 3.5/5
Small, dense, intensely sour candies that pack a punch in a small package. These are designed for pure sourness — the flavor underneath is almost irrelevant. Your mouth will water, your face will contort, and you'll probably buy them again because you have a problem and you know it.
12. BUBS Sour Cherry
Sourness: 3.5/5 | Overall Rating: 4/5
Cherry is one of the most underrated fruit flavors in Swedish candy. This candy proves why Swedes love it — the flavor is tart in addition to the sour coating, creating a two-layer sourness experience. The texture is satisfying, and the cherry flavor doesn't taste artificially fruity. A solid choice that demonstrates why Swedish candy makers take flavor seriously.
Sourness Tolerance Guide
Beginner (never tried sour): Start with BUBS Sour Skulls or Sour Watermelon. You'll get the authentic sour experience without being obliterated.
Intermediate (experienced with American sour candy): Try Sura Skallar or Sour Apple. These are noticeably more intense than American sours, but still manageable and delicious.
Advanced (sour candy enthusiast): Go for Super Sura or Sura Toner. You've earned the right to make poor decisions about candy sourness.
Sourcing Swedish Sour Candy
The best place to buy Swedish sour candy is online through specialty retailers. Check out our where-to-buy guide for current availability. For detailed information about BUBS specifically, read our complete BUBS candy guide.
All the sour Swedish candy on this list ships directly to the US.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Swedish sour candy different from American sour candy?
Swedish sour candies use more aggressive sour coatings (typically malic acid and sugar blends) that create an intense immediate reaction. American sours tend to use citric acid in smaller quantities for a milder "tangy" effect. Swedish sourness is designed to challenge your palate, not just add a subtle tang.
Why is BUBS so popular compared to Malaco sour candies?
BUBS has a better marketing presence in North America and prioritizes flavor balance alongside sourness. The candies taste like they were designed for human enjoyment rather than pure intensity. Malaco sours are excellent but sometimes prioritize sourness over flavor nuance.
Can I eat these if I have a sensitive mouth or dental issues?
Sour candies are generally harder on tooth enamel than regular candies because of the acidity. If you have sensitive teeth or dental concerns, enjoy these in moderation and rinse your mouth with water afterward. The sour coating might also irritate canker sores or cuts in your mouth, so be cautious if you have oral wounds.
Founder & Editor
Former Swedish candy & FMCG professional turned US-based founder of SwedishCrave. Built the site to fill the gap he saw when he moved stateside.
