According to Instacart’s state by state Candy Cornucopia for 2024, Minnesota’s favorite Halloween candy last year was Choceur Dark Chocolate.
Dark chocolate treats, as opposed to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, anything Hershey’s, M&M’s, Skittles, candy bars, even Tootsie Rolls?
And not even milk chocolate, but dark chocolate. The healthier kind, with a higher cocoa percentage, said to be good for the heart and mind, and better for the waistline, too.
All I can say is that times have changed in Minnesota.
This year Halloween falls on a Friday for the first time since 2014, so spooky revellers can go wild until the wee hours. But I wonder if they will.
My recent Halloween experiences in Stearns County have been mild affairs, with few trick or treaters in the quiet streets, and not many lights on to welcome them in the neighborhoods of my childhood.
On Halloween night a few years ago, the little house where I grew up was silent and dark, apart from a large German Shepherd keeping guard at the picture window.
Leaves skittered along the sidewalks like always, but there were no costumed little people knocking on doors, no shouts of ‘trick or treat’.
I know it still happens in other parts of town. But no longer, it seems, in my old neighborhood.
I unwrapped a Snickers and drove home, chewing thoughtfully.
The Candy Cornucopia map shows preferences vary widely across the United States, from Twix in Washington to 3 Musketeers in Florida and M&M’s in both Dakotas.
Candy corn remains most popular in four states, Twizzlers in the Upper Midwest.
Peanut butter kisses aren’t popular anywhere, except in nostalgic hearts like mine.
This year I’m in Paris, and there are glimmers of Halloween spirit in the stores and cinemas featuring posters of gory seasonal films.
But it’s not the same as in Stearns County where, even though the streets are quieter on October 31st, and there are hardly any trick or treaters, many yards and houses are still decorated for Halloween.
Something I have yet to see in Paris.
This year on that night I will teleport myself to 31st Avenue, and memories of werewolves and princesses receiving treats from kindly neighbors to savor later at home and in the days to come.
I will unwrap a Snickers (for peanut butter kisses aren’t available in this part of the world, or even in Stearns County anymore), remembering, chewing thoughtfully.
Photo Choceur® Chocolate
