Black Death took off on TikTok after a reaction video went viral, per The Daily Meal. In scout's 2026-11-10 TikTok sample, 18 Black Death videos had 170 million views, led by one at 101 million. Its packaging says it is not suitable for children under 8.
Price tables: SpicyExtreme foods
At a glance
| Product | Claim | Lowest eBay | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
 Mr Simms Black Death Mega Sours | “World's most sour” contender | $32.11 | Check price |
 Barnett's Mega Sours | “World's most sour” contender | $6.99 | Check price |
 Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy | #1 in CandyStore's ranking | $9.95 | Check price |
 Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy | ranked above Mega Sours | $10.80 | Check price |
How the Black Death challenge works
It is a reaction challenge: the point is to keep a straight face while the sour coating lasts.
- Film yourself, or a friend who hasn't tried one, unwrapping a single Black Death ball.
- Put it in your mouth whole and keep it there; no chewing, no spitting.
- Hold your expression until the sour coating is gone, then show the candy to the camera.
- Step up: try Barnett's Mega Sours or Toxic Waste next and compare.
Do it safely
- The packaging says it is not suitable for children under 8.
- Stop at one or two: the packaging warns that eating too many in a short time can cause irritation.
- Rinse with water afterward; skip it if your mouth has cuts or ulcers.
The contenders
Mr Simms Black Death Mega Sours
Invented by British confectioner Mr Simms Sweet Shop and “flavored with a mix of acidic ingredients, including citric acid and malic acid,” per The Daily Meal. The packaging warns about irritation if you eat too many in a short time.
Barnett's Mega Sours
“Another contender to hold the crown of the world's sourest candy,” per The Takeout. Barnett's is also a British firm.
Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour Candy
The Takeout reports that CandyStore's sour ranking put Toxic Waste Hazardously Sour in the top spot.
Warheads Extreme Sour Hard Candy
In the same CandyStore ranking, Warheads Extreme Sour came ahead of Mega Sours, per The Takeout.
We earn a commission on purchases through these links. eBay prices (item + shipping) read from our latest check; Amazon links open a search, so check the price there. Listed in no particular order. Each figure is the maker’s or the named source’s claim, as of 2026-11-10.
Good to know
- “World's sourest” is a marketing claim; The Takeout says there is no consensus winner.
- TikTok sample: scout's pull of 2026-11-10 (5,932 videos across 52 hashtags); views are what TikTok showed that day, not totals for the hashtag.
Watch the challenge
▶World's Most Sour Candy? Trying Black Death Mega Sours!Rob & Scott · YouTube · 2023
▶Irish People Try Simm's Sour Candy Challenge (Black Death)The TRY Channel · YouTube · 2025Videos open on YouTube. We don't make or endorse them; they show what the challenge looks like.
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Sources
- The Daily Meal: Are Black Death Sweets Really The World's Most Sour Candy?, 2023-12-15: “Black Death blew up in notoriety after TikTok user @underratedhijabi shared their reaction after tasting it.”
- The Takeout: What Is The World's Most Sour Candy?, 2024-11-24: “Another contender to hold the crown of the world's sourest candy is Barnett's Mega Sours.”