Browsing Category

Candy History

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy Memories, Candy News, Hard To Find Candy, Retro Candy

CandyFavorites Feature Interview on Alison Stewart’s Award-Winning Podcast, “All of It,” on WNYC!

August 15, 2022 by
Click above to listen to the interview with Alison Stewarts, an award-winning podcast, “All of It.”

Jon H.Prince, President of CandyFavorites.com, was honored to be interviewed by Alison Stewart on WNYC, New York’s Public Radio Station, on her award-winning podcast “All of It.”

He enjoyed a scintillating conversation and discussed the reported demise of the beloved Choco Taco and how sweets are embedded in our memory of times past!

Click on the picture above to enjoy our discussion!

Candy History, Candy News

Happy 95th Birthday To Us!

July 28, 2022 by
This summer marks our 95th year and third generation of ownership. This landmark is something our founder might not have envisioned when the company was founded in 1927. 

We are proud to be the OLDEST wholesale candy company in the nation and were the FIRST candy company to offer products for purchase online.  We have long believed that “the future of candy is rooted in the past.”

To learn more about our storied history, please click here.

While we are quite proud of our accomplishments and longevity, this would not be possible without our loyal customers.  This is something that we remind ourselves of daily. 
 
In an age where customer service seems to be disappearing, we remain committed to providing a personal touch and the most unique and highest quality candies.
 
Thank you for your continued loyalty and support throughout our nine decades!
 
Sincerely,
 
Jon H. PRINCE
President

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

A Review of America’s Favorites Candies from CandyFavorites.com

July 26, 2022 by

In honor of America’s birthday month, which happens to coincide with ours – McKeesport Candy Co. is 95 years young this July and holds the distinction of being the OLDEST Wholesale Candy Company in the nation – I thought I would write about some of our favorite candies and how I feel about them. 

This holiday got me thinking about our country, and of course, my sweet connections made me think about what candies best represent our country.

To determine which candies represent America, I researched a list of the most sold candies in the United States. To no surprise, I knew almost every name! I was familiar with their flavors, knew their packaging, and had seen them countless times on shelves all around the nation.

Some of these candies shocked me, like Hot Tamales and 3 Musketeers. Although I know both candies, I haven’t ever heard someone say they are their favorite candy. My favorite on the list is Reese’s (which should come as no surprise if you have seen my other posts), but I also am a huge fan of M&M’s and most of the other candies on the list.

Here is my ranking of America’s favorite candies and how I feel about them.

Join Hannah as she reviews America’s Favorite Candy Bars

1. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

The clear winner for most of America and me! It’s a time-tested delicious mix and balance of chocolate and peanut butter. There is something about the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup: each time I have one, they get better and better, something I cannot say about every candy.

So perhaps they are worthy of the designation of being genuinely classic! You will hear no arguments from this end! 

2. M&M’s

With many different flavors and fun colors, M&M’s never got old. My personal favorite is the Fudge Brownie one, as well as the Peanut M&M’s. However, I’m not too fond of the peanut butter ones, even though I know they are a favorite. The good news is that whatever flavor you choose, they are sure to melt in your mouth and not in your hand

3 Musketeers

I know it might not be everyone’s candy bar, but it has withstood the test of time and has remained on candy shelves for over 90 years! Often people might prefer Twix or Snickers. However, the 3 Musketeers bar is sweet and delicious with its chocolate whipped mousse filling.

4. Kit Kat

Kit Kats are a classic and are an ever-evolving brand with new Limited Edition flavors coming out regularly. I love the delicious wafer and how they combine a balance of delicious chocolate and crunch.

5. Sour Patch Kids

As you can probably tell from my rankings, I am more of a chocolate girl than a gummy one, but I love Sour Patch Kids. My favorite ones are green, orange, and yellow (the best ones because it’s always easy to find

someone to share a pack with). They have great flavors that pack a sour punch and a sweet kick and have come a long way from when they were invented in the 1970s and called Mars Men!

6. Snickers

A classic American candy that I do find quite delicious, just not my favorite. However, the ice cream version of a Snickers is absolutely to die for; I love it so much. The balance of nougat, smooth caramel, and crunchy peanuts all enrobed in chocolate is fantastic; there is no wonder why this made the list and why it is one of the best-selling candy bars in the world, selling over 400 million candy bars yearly! 

7. Twix

I am a sucker for a good hint of caramel and even more of one when it’s covered in chocolate. I find many similarities between American candy bars. They are covered in chocolate with bits of caramel and crunch. Each is delicious in its unique way, including Twix, which pushes the limit with its cookie-crunchy center! 

8. Hershey’s Bar

I will be the first to admit that a Hershey’s bar isn’t my favorite candy bar. However, others may and often disagree as this rectangular piece of milk chocolate is the only candy bar to hold the self-imposed designation of “The Great American Chocolate Bar.”

Little did Milton Hershey know that when he invented a candy bar over hundred years ago that it would become the benchmark by which all others are compared! 

9. Starbursts

Starbursts have good reason to be on this list with their literal bursts of flavor and many different colors. My favorite is orange, but I don’t think I would crave them like Reese’s cups. Nevertheless, they are a great candy, especially for those who are not chocolate fanatics or want a candy that may not melt in warmer weather! 

10. Skittles

Skittles are the sugary version of an M&M; to me, they don’t compare to the chocolatey goodness of the fabled candy-coated chocolate candy. Still, sour Skittles are my favorite variation, and I would pick them up every once and a while, especially if I am looking for a candy that I can enjoy on the go!

11. Hot Tamales

I’m not a big fan of spicy candies, and I am shocked that these made the list as I didn’t think they were that popular. They may be an exciting candy, certainly not one I would make my first choice, but I think they are fun to taste!

If you want to try all of America’s favorite candies, we have them for you.

In the 95-year history of our wholesale candy company, all of the sweets mentioned have withstood the test of time, and we encourage you to try them and share your opinion!

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

Sizzle, Snap, Pop – The Exciting World of Pop Rocks Popping Candy

May 17, 2022 by

 It’s been years since I have had Pop Rocks. They have always seemed like a candy to have for fun, like a Ring Pop, and less of a candy you have purely for the flavor like Reeses. 

However, today I will put these fun little candies to the test by trying four flavors and diving into what Pop Rocks are. 

To give some background to this taste test, I decided to dive a little into the world of pop rocks. What is this candy? How did it come to be? 

Pop Rocks are a hype of hard candy that contain pressurized carbon dioxide gas bubbles embedded inside them. This creates that popping reaction when the candy dissolves within your mouth. Pop Rocks are the perfect mix between sweets and science. 

This candy was made by accident by William Mitchell, a food scientist and chemist for General Foods.

Who said science isn’t cool?

The spark for Pop Rocks was born in 1956 when Mitchell was experimenting while attempting to create an instant soft drink. They were trying to make a carbonated beverage powder that would taste good and work. This powder would turn any plain water into a fizzy, flavorful drink. 

While trying to invent this instant soda, he created sweet candy chunks that popped when placed in the mouth and exploded with flavor. The scientific process that makes Pop Rocks sizzle in your mouth was patented back in 1961, way before its public debut in 1975. 

The candy was popular and was produced for a couple of years until 1983, when the candy was pulled from the market for its short shelf life. 

Unfortunately, this short shelf life meant spoiled candy and upset stomachs for many, making the candy undesirable for customers. The candy later returned under “Action Candy” in 1985 and later changed its name back to Pop Rocks. 

There has long been a rumor that eating Pop Rocks and drinking soda simultaneously will cause a person’s stomach to boil and explode. Thanks to urban myth, it was thought that John Gilchrist, the actor who played Little Mikey for Life Cereal, died after having Pop Rocks and drinking soda at the same time. 

This rumor started because of the novelty of this candy and the fact that Little Mikey never reappeared on TV. But John Gilchrist is well and alive. 

However, this rumor doomed Pop Rocks and caused the company to do significant damage control with publications defending their candy and refuting the accusations. However, nothing could help them recover, which is partially why they came off shelves for a short period and took on a new name. 

This nostalgic and well-known candy has created sweet sensory experiences for thousands of people. It even comes in a variety of flavors too. The flavors I will be trying today include cherry, strawberry, watermelon, and cotton candy. 

What’s your favorite Pop Rocks flavor?

OVERALL CANDY RATING: 

Uniqueness: 10/10 Honestly, such a unique and fun candy will make everyone’s mouth burst with flavor while putting a smile on your face. It’s classic, innovative, and is a candy that can excite imaginations. I love it! 

Flavor: 9/10 All of the flavors were spot on and tasted delicious. Pop Rocks masters classic sweet hard candy flavors while elevating them with its popping texture. 

Practicality: 3/10 They aren’t a practical candy for me, considering how noisy they are. When they pop, the feeling they give your mouth is excellent, but it’s not the feeling I want to feel every time. 

Experience: 10/10 I love how the sound changes when you open and close your mouth. It’s cool and exciting to play with. It’s a very interactive candy that is unique and fun. One Pop Rock even jumped out of my mouth, which was funny. 

FLAVOR RATING: 

Cherry Pop Rocks: 8/10 It had a classic cherry flavor with a nice flavor punch. It’s precisely what you would expect with cherry flavoring and exceeds those expectations with the Pop Rock experience. 

Strawberry Pop Rocks: 9/10 They were bursting with sweet strawberry flavor, which was delicious. I thought it would be very similar to the cherry in taste, but it wasn’t. 

Watermelon Pop Rocks: 9/10 They had a subtly sweet flavor and tasted precisely like other artificial watermelon-flavored candy. Even though it looked exactly like the strawberry and cherry pop rocks, the flavors differed. 

Cotton Candy Pop Rocks: 7/10 The Pop Rocks were multi-colored blue and pink, an amusing twist on the classic solid colored Pop Rocks. There wasn’t much flavor other than pure sugar, but I guess that’s what cotton candy is. 

Overall I loved reviving my inner child with these different flavored Pop Rocks, and I recommend you do the same. So don’t believe the rumors and listen to your sweet tooth; next time you see a packet of Pop Rocks, pick them up and see what sizzle, snap, and pop they can give you! 

Candy Contests, Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture

Happy 100th Anniversary Gummi Bear and a Contest too….

April 5, 2022 by
Share your favorite Haribo memory and you might win an assortment of these Limited Edition Haribo Goldbears!

To be honest, I don’t know the first time I learned about Haribo Goldbears; they have just always been around. 

Growing up and now, Haribo is my family’s gummi bear of choice, especially my father’s. Even though this sweet treat has always been around, I can’t believe they have been around for 100 years. 

Hans Riegel created the first gummy candy in 1922 in the form of bears in a small kitchen in Bonn, Germany. 

The name Haribo came from an acronym made up of the founder’s name, (HA)ns (RI)egel, and the place the company was born, (BO)nn. The acronym takes the first two letters of all three words to create Haribo; pretty creative if you ask me. 

These gummi bears were the precursor of what the Goldbear would become and were called Tanzbar, which means Dancing Bear. So if you are looking for an important piece of candy trivia, it doesn’t get much better!

Gertrude Riegel, his wife, worked alongside him as the company’s first employee delivering orders to clients using her bike and this was the start of a very successful family business**

 In 1945 after her husband and creator of the company died, Gertrude took over the operations for a brief period until her sons, Hans Riegel Jr. and Paul Reigel, took over in 1946. 

Under their guidance in 1960, the Goldbears were born and got their official trademark in 1967. In 1978 the Goldbears changed their shape to better-fit customers’ aesthetics, and in 1989, new colors were added to the gummi bear family. 

The German Confectionery company started its international expansion in the 1960s and entered the American market in the 1980s. The gummi candy category was never the same as few manufacturers could match their creativity or unwavering attention to detail. 

They now have their global headquarters in Grafschaft, Germany, and because of their large US fan base, they have a headquarters based in the US. 

Here’s another fun candy trivia factHaribo is the world’s leading manufacturer of gummy products, the Goldbears being what they are most well known for. They produce over 100 million gummi bears per day at their 16 production sites in 10 countries. 

Their slogan is “Kids and Grown-ups love it so – The Happy World of Haribo.” Their motto comes to fruition every time I bite into a Haribo product because they are delicious. 

The Goldbears, their most popular product, and my favorite are fruit gummies shaped like, you guessed it, bears. 

To distinguish their product, Haribo decided to call them Goldbears and they are the “gold standard” by which all gummi candies are compared!

They typically come in bags containing their flavors of Raspberry, Pineapple, Strawberry, Orange, and Lemon, but they have added more to celebrate significant events.

 In 2007 to celebrate the gummi bear’s 85th Birthday, they were given a new flavor, Apple, and new festive branding.

 To celebrate their 100th Birthday, Haribo’s going even bigger with a year-long celebration!

For the 100th Anniversary Haribo Goldbears, Haribo came out with some special limited edition flavors such as single flavored bags of the Pineapple Gummi Bears, which were highly requested since they are a fan-favorite flavor. 

The other single flavored bag they came out with was Blue Raspberry, their brand new flavor. Additionally, they released another unique flavor, Watermelon, much to the delight of their loyal fan base!

If that isn’t enough, they are also holding sweepstakes to thank all their Haribo fans for their love and support over the last century. 

Haribo has gone from a recipe made in a small kitchen to a global success story. 

Their iconic gold packaging, adorable perfect, tasting gummi bears, and successful family business story have taken the world by storm.  

I love them, my Dad adores them, and I bet you do. So Happy 100th Birthday Haribo and please join us in celebrating through their delicious limited-edition bags.

Share with us your favorite Haribo memories below to enter into a contest where you can win an assortment of all of the 100th Anniversary Goldbear Flavors!

**At CandyFavorites, we represent McKeesport Candy Co., a third-generation business approaching its 95th year, and take great joy in offering a candy that has been around since when we opened our doors and whose quality has never wavered. 

Sources: 

https://www.haribo.com/en-us/news/haribo-releases-new-flavors-limited-edition-shapes-for-100th-birthday-of-iconic-goldbears-gummies

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/haribo-releases-new-flavors-limited-edition-shapes-for-100th-birthday-of-iconic-goldbears-gummies-301454797.html

https://www.haribo.com/en/about-us/history

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

Astro Pops and HerSHEy Bars – Candy for Dreamers

March 16, 2022 by

Candy is for Dreamers

Did you know that Astro Pops pays tribute to the Golden Age of Space Exploration?

 Recently I wrote a history post about Astro Pops, a lollipop based on rockets and children’s dreams for space. This got me thinking about all the cosmic candies we have in this universe. The world’s curiosity for space has always been around. After all, there is so much left to discover beyond what we can see. This fascination for space is shown through candy!

Candy helps kids dream. As a kid, I loved candy and dreamed of candy stores like the ones from Willy Wonka. Candy stores with factories down the road, chocolate wafting through the air, and dreams spreading through sweets. Like Willy Wonka showed us best, imagination is what is important and crucial to life.

Willy Wonka also thought that it was important to dream. In Willy Wonka, Charlie grew up with almost nothing and he dreamt for more. This dream he accomplished through his love of candy and his imagination.

The other children who went into the factory with Charlie didn’t have the imagination that he did. They were greedy and didn’t dream of a life beyond that moment. Charlie did dream beyond the moment he was in and hoped for a better world.

Candy gave his family the way out of the life that he was in and he saw how candy could change people’s lives. This story developed by Roald Dahl wasn’t just about class and a family that wanted more, it was about the power of a child’s imagination and candy’s role in his dreams.

The Astro Pop back then gave kids their dreams of going to space, inspired their imaginations for their future, and excited their taste buds.

During the Cold War and subsequent space race, astronauts pushed all possible boundaries and became heroes and all the people bound to earth wanted to live through them, wanted to be them. Even if these young aspiring astronauts couldn’t take a real rocket, these lollipops, modeled after rockets, encouraged them to keep dreaming.

By feeding their taste buds, these lollipops fed their imaginations. It is impossible to dream if you don’t know what you are reaching for, even more, impossible if you aren’t encouraged to do so. Astro Pops, like other candies, keep dreams alive within young children and people. Some may view candy as just a sugary snack but it’s much more than that.

Hershey’s limited-edition bars highlight SHE to celebrate all women and girls.

Recently Hershey just put out their Limited Edition HerSHEy Bar which emphasizes the “she” in Hershey in honor of women’s history month. We are hoping to get this limited edition candy bar in the next few months.

This candy bar isn’t just about the chocolate. It’s about celebrating women and their place in society. It shows young girls that they belong, a value that girls need to be instilled in them from a young age. It celebrates them and their life experiences. It isn’t just the wrapping on the outside of the candy bar. It’s about the movement and aspirations of what the candy bar represents.

Candy is much more than your mouth watering right before you take a bite or that delicious taste that hits your tongue once the bite has been taken. It’s about exciting imaginations, giving people aspirations to dream for, and showing people that they belong anywhere that they can dream of

At CandyFavorites we aren’t giving out Golden Tickets like Willy Wonka but we are eager to encourage dreamers and we love to connect people with the memories that they associate with a sweet snack.

We believe that candy lights the match that sets off the flame within the heart of people, young and old. It sparks imagination and sustains souls. That is why we believe in candy and why we believe that candy makes a difference in this world!

Candy History, Hannah Brelsford's Sweet Thoughts

The Many Marshmallow Candy Manifestations

March 8, 2022 by
Marshmallows are “flexible” and “non-flexible” candy. Learn more!

When people think about marshmallows they think small, they think they’re just small puffy balls of sugar. I think big, marshmallows can be part of every meal. Breakfast in your bowl of Lucky Charms. Lunch can be peanut butter and marshmallow fluff sandwich, Elvis Presley’s favorite. Dinner can have a side of sweet potato casserole. Dessert is s’mores, the marshmallow classic. Oh, and if you ever get thirsty during the day, you can have hot chocolate with marshmallows.

People underestimate marshmallows and their capacity. This post was inspired by a box that Mr. Jon Prince, the candy connoisseur himself, left for me that was full of candy. Out of all the candy products included in this delightful box of goodies, three featured marshmallows and they were all completely different candies.

One was a bag of cereal marshmallows, the ones you save your bowl of Lucky Charms. The second was the classic marshmallow peanuts. The final one was the toasted coconut marshmallows, a gourmet twist on just a plain marshmallow. I was inspired to take a marshmallow journey and compare them all to classic mini marshmallows to see how different marshmallows could really be.

First, I tried the marshmallow peanuts and, oh my, I never want to partake in eating them again! (Disclaimer: I do not really like the taste of bubble gum) I bit into the peanuts thinking they would be airy and soft regular marshmallows, but instead, they had a bubble gum flavor (at least to me they did).

They aren’t supposed to be flavored like bubble gum but I think they taste exactly like it. On the other hand, my grandma loved them. They reminded her of her childhood and she said they still had the classic taste that they had when she ate them as a child. Next up were the cereal marshmallows.

This was not my first time dabbling with cereal marshmallows, in fact, I have them for breakfast in my cereal at least once a week. This is my favorite manifestation of the marshmallow. They are crunchy, sweet, and tasty (they taste even better in milk).

Finally, I tried the toasted coconut marshmallows, and let me tell you my Dad absolutely loved them, I did too. They were, I would say, a gourmet twist on the classic marshmallow and if you love coconut confections then you will love them.

Comparing them all to the classic mini marshmallows got me thinking. Obviously, all of the marshmallow candy products tasted very similar but they each twisted the marshmallow flavor in their own way.

The peanuts were very sweet (too sweet for me), the cereal marshmallows were crunchy, and the toasted coconut marshmallows were rich.            

By trying all these different manifestations of marshmallows it made me wonder about the classic sweet and how it can be used in many different ways. Marshmallows can be used as an ingredient in sweets but are also sweet themselves that’s why I like to call marshmallows a “flexible sweet”.

A “flexible-sweet” is a sweet that can be sweet by itself, it can stand alone, but it can also be a part of another sweet. It can present itself in many different forms like for marshmallows they can be toppings, a filling, or a centerpiece of a confection.

An example of a “flexible-sweet” is chocolate. Like marshmallows, chocolate can be an ingredient, the main feature, or a sauce on top of a confection. A “non-flexible-sweet” is sour candy. Sour candies are rarely used in other desserts and they don’t transform into other confections well.

Through it all, I learned how much I love marshmallows and will never underestimate my friend the marshmallow because it will always surprise and prove you wrong.

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture

Summer is all about Salt Water Taffy!

June 30, 2021 by

Beaches, boardwalks, blue skies, and hot temperatures are only some of the things we think about when we reach the summer. When I think of summer, I’ll admit all of these great things come to mind, but what else comes to mind? Salt Water Taffy.

My family visits Ocean City, New Jersey, almost every summer (“down the shore” is the official New Jersey slang), and each year we pick up a huge bag of the chewy, fruity, salty stuff. But is Salt Water Taffy the ultimate summer candy? I would say “yes” just based on its history, but I will let you form your own opinion. 

Salt Water Taffy was originally produced in Atlantic City, New Jersey (Anyone going for the fourth of July? If so, I’ll see you there) starting all the way back in the 1880s. Although It was still a mystery when Salt Water Taffy was first invented, it was Joseph Fralinger, a businessman and successful confectioner, who took this summer treat to the proverbial next level.

Fralinger took over a small candy stand in Atlantic City and made his first batch of Salt Water Taffy. His original flavor was molasses which was so popular that he expanded his range to include chocolate and vanilla. His business was booming, and his next step was to turn these delightful cadies into souvenirs by way of a boxed presentation. But, as the Grateful Dead once said, ” when life looks like easy street, you have danger at your door.”

As the proverb goes, “necessity has long been the mother of invention,” and a man named Enoch James realized that a huge selling point would be to find a way to change the formula, so the candy doesn’t stick to the wrapper. He also found a way to make bite-size pieces and automate the pulling process. He also expanded the flavor range and gave Fralinger much-needed friendly competition.

Salt Water Taffy became synonymous with New Jersey – much like Bruce Springstein would later become – and became a classic candy one would find throughout the East Coast and, eventually, beyond. What is most amazing is that BOTH companies are still in existence to this very day!

Here’s an interesting piece of trivia – Although commonly referred to as “saltwater,” there is actually no saltwater in the formula. The traditional formula includes cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerin, butter, sugar, and a small amount of salt, the latter being used to enhance the flavors. The pulling process includes a technique to double fold the taffy making it lighter, chewier, easier to package, and just maybe a little bit easier on dental work.

Salt Water Taffy comes in a myriad of colors and flavors. Our assortment includes Bubble Gum, Cherry, Chocolate Raspberry, Blueberry, Cotton Candy, Grape, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Maple, Licorice, Pina Colada, Raspberry, Maple, Neapolitan, Peach, Tutti-Frutti, Watermelon, Spearmint, and Root-Beer.

Summer is here, folks, and the only way to embrace that is by chewing down on a box of Salt Water Taffy. Whether you are at the beach or in the backyard, Candyfavorites.com is ready to deliver a delicious box of chewy goodness to your door. All you need to do is click HERE.

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News

Big League Chew “Slammin’ Strawberry” Bubble Gum and a Brief History of Female Athletes Too!

May 19, 2021 by

Bubble Gum has been a big part of the game of baseball for decades. Nothing like chomping on a big chunk of gum and taking part in one of America’s favorite past times. Baseball has been one of this country’s oldest and most beloved sports and no one is denying that. But when it comes to baseball and major league sports all around, there is a lack of representation for one particular group: women. 

But leave it to the good folks at Ford Gum to make sure that their products would not lack female representation. In 2019, Big League Chew made history being the first bubble gum to exclusively feature female athletes on their wrapper.

Big League Chew is also the official gum of the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame! So it was about time that they gave the girls a spotlight.

In 2020, the tradition continues as the latest flavor, Slammin’ Strawberry, reaches out to little girls and women alike to show that even though sports ground to a halt during the pandemic, female athletes still deserve their proverbial time in the sun!

I love sitting down, washing down some good food with a cold beer, and watching any Pittsburgh team compete with the best (sorry Homefield bias). But it is interesting to think about the women who have also made baseball and other great sports even greater. We don’t hear about them often,  so let’s highlight some bada*$ women that have made their mark in the sports world.

Dottie Schroeder (a league of their own reference)

Since we are talking about Big League Chew, let’s start with an iconic female baseball player, Dottie Schroeder. Being arguably the best player in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League, which ran from 1943-1954, Dottie excelled at shortstop and was the youngest player to ever enter the league. She held records for most games played and most RBI’s. Playing the entire nine years that the league existed, she made a name for herself and will always be remembered. She was even the inspiration for the main character in the 1992 film, A League of Their Own. There is no crying in baseball!

Serena Williams

One of the best tennis players of the Open Era goes to Serena Williams. She holds multiple records including having twenty-three Grand Slam singles titles which stand as the most tournament wins in the Open era. Williams receives plenty of backlash from the media, but always shoots back with her skill and drive to excel at what she does. She is an inspiration to all female athletes everywhere. 

Danica Patrick

Next up we take things to the open road with Danica Patrick. When it comes to American open-wheel racing, Patrick will go down in history as the greatest woman to ever do it. She set milestones for women in the racing world including being the only woman to win an IndyCar Series race at the Japan Indy in 2008. Although she didn’t have as much success as critics expected, there is no denying that her impact on the sport was major. 

Simone Biles

She can flip, she can bend and she can stick it. Simone Biles, at only 24, is the most decorated American gymnast. She has 25 Olympic and world championship medals and is a force to be reckoned with. At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Biles proved to the world that she is one of the best by setting the US record for the most gold medals won in women’s gymnastics during a single Olympics. 

Candace Parker

The WNBA is almost always overshadowed by the men, but maybe it is time to start paying attention so you don’t miss out on athletes like Candace Parker. She was the first woman to dunk in an NCAA game and the second to dunk in a WNBA game. She led the Los Angeles Sparks to their first championship since 2002 in 2016 and has also been named MVP twice. With hops like hers and a love for the game, there is no doubting that Parker should be a recognizable name in the game of basketball. 

Sarah Fuller

When talking about female representation in sports, there is one sport in general that is really lacking, and that is American Football. But Sarah Fuller didn’t let that hold her back. At 21 years of age, she became the first woman to play in a Power-5 match, which is the highest level of American college football. Fuller kicks for the Vanderbilt Commodores and has made history while still being so young. She wants to continue showing young women that anything is possible and is the perfect role model for female athletes everywhere. 

Our motto may be “Candy is what we DELIVER but service is what we SELL,” but having been around for close to 100 years, we LOVE candy history and the inspiration behind many of the iconic products that we sell!