Pepe Dulce: Mexican Sweets at Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall

Updated: 3 days ago

Imagine a vibrant, cheerful place filled with the sweet scents of various candies. This colorful store of Mexican candies has a large window that lets natural light flood in, illuminating the multitude of sweets inside. Picture shelves lined with brightly wrapped candies in every color of the rainbow. The atmosphere is lively and inviting, with the sounds of cheerful chatter and the rustling of candy wrappers. The store is located in Quinta Alegría, a bustling plaza in Playa del Carmen, adding to the lively ambiance. — This store of typical Mexican candies is as colorful as the Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall, located in Playa del Carmen.

If you're craving authentic Mexican candies in Playa del Carmen, visit Pepe Dulce at Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall. This store is renowned for offering the best selection of Mexican candy and is a must-visit for candy enthusiasts.

From the moment you step into this charming candy shop, you'll realize it's not just a store but a celebration of Mexico's sweet flavors. Pepe Dulce offers a unique experience with its variety of Mexican traditional candies.

What sets this store apart is the rare opportunity to sample all the candies before buying them—something I haven't seen in any other candy or chocolate store.

From cocadas and sweet treats made from shredded coconut to alfajores and delicious cookies filled with dulce de leche, you can taste each delight to find your favorite among the best Mexican candies.

This allows you to experience various Mexican sweets and discover the popular Mexican candy that best suits your taste.

Selection of Traditional Sweets

Imagine a table overflowing with a delightful assortment of traditional Mexican sweets. Each treat has its unique texture and shape, creating a vibrant mosaic of sugary goodness. To the left, you’ll find alegrías—light and crunchy bars made from puffed amaranth seeds bound together with sweet honey or syrup. They have a slightly rough surface and are often dotted with bits of dried fruit. Next are mazapanes – round, crumbly disks made from ground peanuts. These are soft to the touch and easily break apart, offering a melt-in-your-mouth experience. You’ll also encounter cocadas – sweet, chewy treats made from shredded coconut, often shaped into small mounds or squares. They have a sticky texture and are sometimes colored to add visual appeal. There are tamarindos, typically shaped into small, chewy balls or sticks. These candies are tangy and sweet, with a slightly sticky surface from the tamarind pulp they’re made from. Don’t miss the alfeñiques, delicate sugar skulls, and figurines that are a staple of Mexican candy. They’re smooth and finely detailed, with a hard, brittle texture. Paletas de caramelo are scattered throughout the table. These lollipops come in various shapes and flavors, often with a hard candy shell that gives way to a chewy center. Finally, there are obleas, thin, circular wafers that are crisp and delicate. They often sandwich a layer of cajeta, a rich, caramel-like spread made from goat’s milk. This table is a feast for the senses, brimming with Mexican candy's rich and diverse flavors. — The variety of traditional sweets is impressive. One essential feature is that there are jars with samples of each candy, literally every candy, for you to try. It's a great detail.

The store features an impressive selection of traditional sweets such as pulque, a corn-based candy; alegrías, made from amaranth; and tamarindos, those small tangy and sweet bites that are a guilty pleasure.

These treats are some of the most typical Mexican candy you can find.

But that's not all; Pepe Dulce also offers a lavish range of artisanal chocolates, from classic to innovative, to indulge your sweet tooth.

This extensive Mexican candy list ensures you'll find something to satisfy any craving.

One of the highlights of Pepe Dulce is its selection of liqueurs. Here, you can find Xtabentún, a typical and delightful drink made from honey, anise, and aguardiente with a smooth and spicy flavor.

Xtabentún is perfect for those looking to take home a truly authentic souvenir, making it a standout among candies in Mexico.

If you prefer something warmer, they also offer an irresistible hot chocolate, perfect for warming up your day. And if you're a fan of coffee or beer, don't worry—they have options for you to enjoy while you explore.

A Vibrant and Colorful Atmosphere

Imagine walking into a place that's bursting with lively and joyful energy. The store's decoration creates a vibrant atmosphere, almost like being at a lively festival. It's filled with various textures and objects that reflect traditional Mexican culture. The walls and displays are adorned with colorful patterns and designs, which contribute to a feeling of celebration and festivity even though you can't see them. The overall ambiance is welcoming and full of life, offering a rich experience of Mexican culture through its lively and festive decor. — The decoration of this store is spot on; you feel like you're in the middle of a Mexican color festival. It's a beautiful place to visit and experience the vibrant Mexican folklore.

The atmosphere at Pepe Dulce is not just vibrant and welcoming; it's downright exciting. The store's colorful décor, in true Mexican style, makes you feel like you're at a flavor festival.

It's a place to buy sweets and find excellent Mexican souvenirs and plush toys, perfect for taking home or gifting to loved ones. It stands out among the many unique shops on 5th Ave Playa del Carmen.

What is the Most Popular Candy in Mexico?

Imagine stepping into an area of the store around some of Mexico's most sweets. Obleas con cajeta are neatly arranged on shelves, their thin, crisp wafers stacked in vibrant, colorful packaging. The sweet and creamy cajeta, a caramel-like treat made from goat's milk, goat'sout from between the wafers, offering a glimpse of the rich, gooey filling. Nearby, you'll find Pyou'llndo, a popular tamarind-based candy known for its tangy and spicy flavor. The Pulparindo packages are often marked with bold, eye-catching colors, and the distinctive texture of this treat is visible through the transparent sections of the wrappers. Tamarindos are also prominently displayed. These small, bite-sized candies, coated with chili powder and sugar, offer a delightful contrast of sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. They are typically arranged in clear containers or colorful bags that showcase their vibrant red hue. This store area is a feast for the senses, with each type of candy presenting its unique aroma and texture and the packaging adding a lively splash of color to the display. — There are many popular candies in Mexico, but the most popular is Pulparindo, which is made from tamarind.

The most popular candy in Mexico is tamarind candy, also known as pulparindo. Tamarind-based candies are loved for their unique combination of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors, making them a favorite among Mexicans.

Tamarind candy comes in various forms, including lollipops, pulps, and coated balls, often sprinkled with chili powder for an added kick.

These candies are popular in Mexico and have gained international popularity due to their distinctive taste.

What Candy Originated in Mexico?

Imagine a large table covered with an array of traditional Mexican sweets. The table is filled with vibrant, textured treats. Miniature, colorful bundles of alegrías are dense and slightly grainy with a sweet, nutty flavor. These bundles are made from popped amaranth seeds mixed with honey or syrup, giving them a crunchy yet chewy texture. Some alegrías are shaped into flat, rectangular pieces, while others are shaped into smaller, bite-sized chunks. Each piece is wrapped in bright, crinkly paper that rustles softly. The rich, earthy aroma of the amaranth and the sweet, syrupy scent mix together, creating an inviting and comforting fragrance. The table might also have different varieties of alegrías, some with added ingredients like nuts or dried fruits, which you can feel by their varied textures. The assortment of sweets reflects a deep tradition, showcasing a variety of shapes, sizes, and textures, all crafted with care and skill. — From cacao to the famous alegrías, there is an endless variety of traditional Mexican sweets that originated in Mexico, and you can find all of them in this candy store.

Several candies originated in Mexico, reflecting the country's rich culinary traditions. Some notable examples include:

Alegrías, a candy transcending time, is made from amaranth seeds, honey, and sometimes nuts or dried fruits. This traditional Mexican treat has its roots in pre-Hispanic times, connecting us to the region's rich history.
Mazapán: This sweet treat is made from ground peanuts and sugar, creating a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth candy. It's similar to marzipan but uses peanuts instead of almonds.
Pulparindo is a tamarind-based candy that combines sweet, sour, and spicy flavors. It often includes chili powder, salt, and sugar, making it a favorite among those who enjoy various flavors.
Cicadas: These coconut-based candies are made with shredded coconut, sugar, and sometimes milk or condensed milk. They come in various shapes and sizes, often with a chewy texture.
Cajeta: A type of caramel made from goat's milk, cajeta is often used as a filling for candies or enjoyed on its own. It has a rich, sweet flavor that is unique to Mexican sweets.
Glorias: Made from cajeta and pecans, these candies are creamy, nutty, and sweet, providing a delightful taste experience.

These candies are a celebration of Mexico's vibrant and diverse confectionery traditions. They offer a kaleidoscope of flavors and textures, a culinary journey that has been savored for generations.

Pepe Dulce: Take a Piece of Mexico With You

Imagine stepping into a cozy space that feels like a vibrant slice of Mexico. The air is filled with a mix of sweet and inviting scents. The store is rich with the essence of Mexican culture, offering a variety of traditional sweets. The walls and shelves are adorned with bright, colorful displays, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. As you explore, you encounter a delightful assortment of candies and treats, each with its distinct aroma and texture, capturing the essence of Mexican flavors. This candy shop in Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall is a sensory celebration of Mexican sweetness and color. — This store is in a corner of Mexico. It offers all its vibrant colors and sweet flavors to those who visit this candy shop in Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall.

In summary, Pepe Dulce is not just a candy store; it's a cultural and gustatory experience that lets you enjoy and take a piece of Mexico.

So next time you're in Playa del Carmen, don't miss out on visiting this gem at Quinta Alegría Shopping Mall. Let yourself be enchanted by traditional Mexican candies. They are open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and are closed on Sundays.

It's one of the many unique stores on Fifht Avenue Playa del Carmen that offer a glimpse into local culture.

Checkout the location here: Pepe Dulce