When Elite Candy’s factory temporarily shut down a couple of years back due to a fire, Israeli candy lovers everywhere went into withdrawal. We know of one Denverite (hint: you’ll typically find her on Page 2 of the IJN😉) who deeply missed her regular Egozi bar top-ups delivered by a faithful brother.
Anecdotal evidence points to chocolate and candy being among the items that travelers love to sample abroad. Whether it’s a Lion Bar in England or Manner wafers in Austria, biting into a foreign confection can transport the eater to a totally different time and place.
The Nosher says that its staff has strong feelings about the superiority of Israeli chocolate compared to its American or Canadian counterparts. So it set out to create an ultimate ranking of Israel chocolates. (No surprise, IJN staff did not agree with the Nosher’s ranking of Egozi!)
IJN readers, send a note to shmoos@ijn.com to share your favorite Israeli or other non-North American confections — or submit your answer below!
1. Klik
One of the best parts of Klik bars is that they come in a wide variety of flavors, from malted milk, pretzel or even cornflake covered. Hands-down the favorite of Nosher staff.
2. Kif Kef
Quite similar to Kit Kat, with wafer cookies inside a creamy milk chocolate coating. Crunchy, creamy, sweet and delicious.
3. Para with Pop Rocks
Milk chocolate bars filled with pop rocks are pure fun and pretty delicious too. Creamy milk chocolate melts in your mouth as tiny little explosions tingle your tongue.
4. Mekupelet
Based on Cadbury’s Flake, what distinguishes this bar is its distinctive flaky, creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. Simple, sweet and divine.
5. Egozi
A chocolate-coated bar with nougat filling and entire hazelnuts inside. Not quite as sweet as some other Israeli chocolates, and the nougat is a perfect complement, not too overpowering.
6. Pesek Zman
This classic marriage of crunch, sweet chocolate and liquid deliciousness is addictive. A milky chocolate exterior and a light crunchy interior akin to a wafer.
7. Chocolate Para
Classic, simple and beloved. With its name (para, Hebrew for cow), you can guess its flavor profile.
8. Taami
This crunchy, chocolate filled with rice crispies, nougat and caramel filling is creamy, chewy, crispy perfection.
9. Adashim
Israel’s version of creamy, milk chocolate M&Ms. Unlike in America, however, there are no peanut, pretzel, caramel or other crazy flavors.
10. Twist
Another chocolate that is not overpoweringly sweet — light and crunchy caramel wafer covered in chocolate. The perfect combination of texture and flavor.