This Is TASTE 621: Unpacking Swedish Candy’s Viral Success with BonBon’s Leonard Schaltz
Jul 11, 2025
Leo Schaltz, cofounder of BonBon, a beloved Swedish candy store in NYC, shares insights on the booming popularity of Swedish sweets. He discusses the unique cultural tradition of 'Lördagsgodis,' which celebrates Saturday candy rituals in Sweden. Leo reveals how social media has fueled BonBon's viral success and shares personal stories about his journey in the candy business. The conversation also touches on candy quality control and the whimsical nostalgia that drives consumer preferences.
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Swedish Saturday Candy Tradition
- Swedish candy culture centers on the "Saturday candy" tradition where kids buy candy only once a week.
- This habit originated from dental health studies promoting limited candy consumption for better oral hygiene.
Varied Candy Preferences Define Sweden
- Swedish candy lovers prefer a mix of many different candy types in one bag.
- There's no single best taste, as individual preferences vary widely among co-founders.
TikTok Boosted Bon Bon's Growth
- Bon Bon's viral success in 2024 was boosted unexpectedly by a TikTok video showing candy bag securing.
- This viral moment led to rapid growth and the need to airlift candy from Sweden to meet demand.