Browsing Category

Lollipops

Candy News, Candy Reviews, Lollipops

How Many Licks Does it REALLY Take to Get to the Center of a Tootsie Pop?

February 23, 2018 by

tootsie popHow many licks does it REALLY take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? The world may never know. Right? Who remembers seeing that commercial, the one with the little boy and Mr. Owl? I know I do.

Did you know that the commercial is actually a lot longer than the one we know and love today? The original commercial has the little boy first talking to a cow, then a fox, a turtle, and finally Mr. Owl.

After this campaign came out, different groups of people decided to test how many licks it really took. Purdue University, University of Michigan, and Swarthmore Junior High School all did experiments of their own. Purdue found that it took 364 licks for a licking machine that they had built, but 252 licks from some of their volunteers.

On the other hand, Michigan’s licking machine took 411 licks to reach the center. Swarthmore did everything with human tongues, reaching an average of 144 licks. So after reading about all of these fascinating experiments, I decided that I wanted to get in on the fun. I gathered my people, gave them all lollipops, and we were on our way. I expected us to reach an average of about 500 licks per pop, but the results proved otherwise.

tootsie popI enlisted 10 people, myself included, between the ages of 14 and 24, to help me discover how many licks it took to get to the center of the tootsie pop.

To advance the experiment, I gave out regular Tootsie Pops, chocolate Tootsie Pops, candy cane Tootsie Pops, and Charms Blow Pops. I gave each person two pops and had them record the number of licks it took to reach the center of each one, while only licking one side of it. Although it may seem fun, the lollipops took a toll on everyone rather quickly.  

My oldest sibling said their headache started around 560 licks on the candy cane Tootsie Pop. They had fun anyway though, saying that they “love that last part getting the remains off the stick, like the last meat from a chicken wing.” The general consensus was that everyone’s tongues hurt and that they all desperately needed water. No one was happy at the end. I got statements from my friends like “it was totally bland”, “the orange became worse at the end”, and “my tongue went numb!” All in all, the experiment was very hard to get through, but I’m glad we did it.

tootsie popTootsie Pops were invented in 1931 by the Tootsie company, which had been producing Tootsie Rolls for many years already. There are a bajillion flavors of Tootsie Pops, including cherry, grape, orange, chocolate, raspberry, blue raspberry, strawberry watermelon, lemon, pomegranate, caramel, wild cherry berry, wild apple berry, wild blueberry, wild blackberry, and wild mango berry. Even the Tootsie Pop wrappers have a large variety of things going on them.

There are kids playing tennis, baseball, swimming, and running, but the most special wrappers are the ones with the Native American shooting a star. Although there is nothing actually important about the slightly rare wrappers, it is still fun to make a wish on each shooting star.

tootsie popsSo when the experiment was done, the results were not at all what I expected. The average number of licks it took to get to the center of the regular Tootsie Pop was 678. It took 881 to reach the center of the chocolate Tootsie Pop. To reach the center of the candy cane one, it took about 617 licks. The Charms Blow Pops took 638 licks to reach the center. What makes the chocolate ones take so many more licks? Why were all the others in the 600-700 lick range? Why did anyone even agree to help with this experiment in the first place? So many questions surround Tootsie Pops.

The truth is that each Tootsie Pop and Blow Pop is made differently, so there will never be a definitive answer about how many licks it takes to get to the Tootsie Roll center of the Tootsie Pop. So the world really may never know.

If you feel the need to test this yourself or are just craving some sugar on a stick, you can always shop our amazing assortment of Tootsie Pops, and over 3000 other candies,  right here on CandyFavorites.com

Make sure to comment on your favorite flavors down below. I hope you have a licktastic day!

Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News, Lollipops, Valentine's Candy

Valentine’s Day Is For Candy Lovers

February 9, 2018 by

valentine's dayAs Valentine’s Day is a day of love and candy, I decided to do a little research as to why. We all know that the big Hallmark holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day are all about candy, but have you ever thought about why you are stuffing chocolates into your mouth? Ancient Romans were the first ones to start the Valentine’s Day tradition. There were two different Saint Valentines that the holiday was named after.  Every year around mid February, the Romans held an enormous festival called Lupercalia. This contained a feast in which the single young adults ate treats, drank alcohol, got to know each other, and would get married if everything went how the adults hoped it would. But his year to prepare for Valentine’s Day I  gave out some surveys to find out what kinds of candies are everyone’s favorites for the lovely holiday.

My surveys asked people to circle which candies they would most like to eat on Valentine’s Day. The list included: Conversation Hearts, Chocolate Sampler Boxes, Lollipops, Red and White M&Ms, Jelly Hearts, and Chocolate Roses. There was also an ‘other’ section that got answers like Reese’s Cups and Chocolate Pretzels. I was sure that the boxes of chocolate and Conversation Hearts were going to be the most liked candies, but the results that I received proved me wrong. The top three most popular were the Chocolate Sampler Boxes, Lollipops, and the M&Ms. So let’s talk about those.

boxed chocolateA classic example of a chocolate sampler box is the Whitman’s Sampler. Around 1915 it was the best selling box of chocolates in America. Whitman knew a lot about marketing which allowed his company to greatly prosper straight through the Great Depression and World War II. His most memorable (and highly sexist) ad campaign “ A Woman Never Forgets the Man Who Remembers” was what made the company’s profits skyrocket and what is keeping the candies here today. With a wide variety of chocolates in every box such as caramel and strawberry creme, a consumer will always find something to love about these delightful boxes. Even though we don’t carry Whitman chocolates, the gourmet chocolates we feature are quite decadent and delicious!  

lollipops

The history of lollipops is a little fuzzy, but there are lots of ideas of where they came from. If you’re curious, Jon Prince wrote about their history here.  I have always really enjoyed lollipops, in fact my next blog (which will be licktastic) is all about the little candies on a stick. I remember getting them at banks as a kid and watching their transformations there from bland flavors to Dum Dums. I also remember stealing them from my older siblings and eating them because I just couldn’t get enough of their flavorful sugar. On Valentine’s Day, lollipops come in lots of forms. There are basic pink and red ones of course, but the best are the clear heart shaped ones (that can easily be mistaken for soap on a stick). They can be given out to children’s classrooms or given to your loved ones as a small way to show them your affection.

m&m'sM&Ms have been around since 1941 and were created by the Mars candy company. For a long time, consumers had been searching for a chocolate that wouldn’t melt before they got around to eating it and M&Ms were the answer to this problem. In 1954, their famous slogan, “melts in your mouth, not in your hands” was introduced causing their already great chocolate to be even greater. The company slowly put out different colors and flavors of M&Ms, eventually making them America’s favorite candies.

I hope that you’ve learned something about candy this Valentine’s Day. Whether it was the fact that the Whitman’s chocolate company was just a bit sexist or that lollipops are much more popular than expected, there is always something to learn. I would like to keep learning about these candies, so take the poll below and let us know what your favorite Valentine’s Day candy is by submitting your choice in the comments section. Happy holiday!

Choices:

  • Conversation Hearts
  • Chocolate Sampler Boxes
  • Lollipops
  • Red and White M&Ms
  • Jelly Hearts
  • Chocolate Roses
  • Other
Holiday Candy, Lollipops, Valentine's Candy

Get Creative with Candy this Valentine’s Day

January 19, 2012 by

Candy for Valentines Day 2012Valentine’s Day is kind of a polarizing holiday. Young lovers love it, and lonely curmudgeons hate it. And so do a lot of normal people. The legendary stories that inspired the celebration vary widely, and the only really clear thing is that people have been getting romantic once a year for centuries. But a holiday about love in the middle of winter makes sense. Celebrating loved ones might be the best thing to do when you’ve been stuck inside with them for months. Just imagine what it would be like if you shared a hovel with them. Or a Conestoga wagon. These days, we’ve got it easy, so let’s stop grumbling and focus on showing people some love.

When you think about candy all the time, Valentine’s Day is super fun. It’s a time for surprises and the joy of delighting people you love. As a relatively “small holiday,” there aren’t that many gifts to choose from — it’s candy, flowers, jewelry, or a mix tape.  And anything that’s not candy goes better with candy. But there are plenty of ways to mix it up and get creative. You can find out your crush’s favorite candy from childhood, then shock them with a whole box. If you’re ambitious, you could even fill a locker or a car with candy.

We’ve got all the traditional candies, like all kinds of conversation hearts and hand-poured mixed chocolates. Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate true love, or friendship, or family. Just find your favorite way to make someone feel special. Here are some interesting options, and you’ll find lots more in our Valentines Candy section.

Valentine’s Day Favorites

stocking stuffer lollipops
lollipops that spin

 

Holiday Candy, Lollipops

National Lollipop Day is July 20th!

July 14, 2011 by
National Lollipop Day is July 20th!

National Lollipop Day is July 20th!

 

The 4th of July, President’s Day and Labor Day fills the calendar and provides an extra day off for most workers but for sheer fun and entertainment, the favorite has to be National Lollipop Day which occurs yearly on the 20th of July.

 Why not have a Lollipop Party and treat all the kids to their choice of cool and fun lollipops. Start them out with Charms Blow Pops in the amazing Black Cherry flavor then introduce them to the sweet treat of heart shaped lollipops. Provide goody bags filled with nothing but lollipops, including the Gourmet Lollipops that we offer year round!  Ice cream may be popular for summer parties, but for National Lollipop Day, why not choose the Ice Cream Sundae lollipops.

 Surprise the little fellows in your life with Ford F-150 truck lollipops and little girls can take playing house to a whole new level with Glo Popcifier lollipops while NBL fans can enjoy baseball motif lollipops. Sports fans of all ages will get a kick out of the Sports Glo Popcifiers.

 Business owners can take full advantage of this annual Lollipop day to have some fun and spread some cheer. Cupcake lollipops are the perfect giveaway for bakeries while every florist should have some Daisy Pops on hand.

Theater owners can pick up some Dum Dum Shrek Pops to celebrate the sweetest of all holidays. Every Hispanic store or restaurant can delight people by giving away Jalapeno lollipops.

 There is no limit to the creativity that such a day inspires so forget about lemonade stands and celebrate the Lollipop with a lollipop stand!

 Be sure to pick up some Scorpion lollipops for those people in your life who truly appreciate the more interesting things in life and Slithering Snake Suckers are also a great choice for anyone who enjoys reptiles and amphibians.

 Are you going to be in Vegas for the big day? Take along some Sin City Dice lollipops in regular or Pina Colada flavors to delight everyone in your party. It’s true that the 4th of July has already passed, but the flag is popular every day of the year.

If your baby is expected to arrive around the 20th of July, have a few lollipops on hand to mark the occasion and to proudly announce the birth of your girl or boy so you can share the happy news.

However you choose to celebrate National Lollipop Day, why not browse our huge lollipop selection and stock on all your favorites.

Candy Reviews, Lollipops

The Elusive Caramel Tootsie Roll Pop

January 10, 2011 by

 

Sharability: 1

Denture Danger: 9

Convenience: 10

Novelty: 9

Overall: 10

I predict that this Limited Edition Caramel Tootsie Roll Pop won’t be limited for long. The caramel flavor is perfect for the Tootsie Roll Pop and I am just wondering what took them so long to create this flavor.In my humble opinion the caramel flavor is the tastiest flavor of all Tootsie Roll Pops.

I noticed that I don’t usually look at the Tootsie Roll Pop wrapper. Since I was treating this as a new candy I took a gander at the wrapper and there is a lot going on there.

Pictures of little kids playing with balls, swimming, playing tennis and marbles, driving cars, riding bikes and skateboards, if I didn’t know better I’d think that it was the wrapper of some sort of power bar for kids.

I guess the same kinds of kids that like to be active and play sports are the kinds of kids that like Tootsie Roll Pops.

Candy Reviews, Lollipops

Get Your Extra Energy Boost from McJak Caffeinated Suckas

June 28, 2010 by
If you are looking for a boost, why not try a new treat called McJak Caffeinated Suckas!

If you are looking for a boost, why not try a new treat called McJak Caffeinated Suckas!

Sharability: 0

Denture Danger: 0 (Unless you try to chew this dense ball of candy)

Convenience: 9

Novelty: 9

Overall: 8

Sometimes you are looking for a caffeine energy boost but don’t want the coffee breath or don’t want to spend the six dollars for a cup of coffee. When this situation presents itself, the Caffeinated Suckas from the McJak Candy Company are a perfect substitute.

This large ball of candy sits on the end of a heavy-duty plastic stick and leaves you with the satisfaction of a candy craving and caffeine wake up call. With 60 mg of caffeine this lollipop doesn’t pack the punch to give you the shakes, but does have a significant amount of caffeine that will add a little pep to your step. (As a reference point, a cup of coffee has anywhere between 80 mg and 200 mg of caffeine).

 The Suckas come in four colorful flavors: slammin’ strawbanana, bustin’ berry blast, wicked watermelon and wired wild cherry. These flavors will last a long time, which also makes for a gradual come on of the caffeinated effects.

The sticker label on the plastic packaging of the Sucka looks to be hand drawn and hand stuck on which creates for a less corporate feel. Overall, this Sucka will keep your sweet tooth happy and your eyes open, enjoy!

Candy Reviews, Lollipops

One Twist, Two Twists, Red Licorice Twists, Chocolate Licorice Twists

December 21, 2009 by
Who doesn't love Twizzlers chocolate licorice?

Who doesn't love Twizzlers chocolate licorice?

Sharability: 8

Denture Danger: 7

Convenience: 7

Novelty: 6

Overall: 9

You can’t deny that every drink tastes better through a licorice twist straw whether you are drinking juice out of a cup or slurping water from a water fountain.

Just because you aren’t a kid anymore does not mean that you can’t bite off the ends and make a straw of your licorice. There is no law stating that once you have kids you aren’t allowed to act like kids.

Chocolate Licorice straws are especially good for drinking milk and chocolate milk. When you go to eat the wet the end of the straw you can feel that it has dissolved a little bit and has a nice new temperature that makes the last bite a little different from the rest. 

It is hard to say whether the strawberry licorice or chocolate licorice  is better because it only depends on your are in the mood. They share the delicious soft, chewy, juicy, twizzler-like consistency and they each have their unique flavor’s goodness–but I sure don’t know anyone who would ever turn down a chocolate covered strawberry.

Mixing different flavors of candy is never a mistake, even if the combination doesn’t entice you to have another it is always worth the try to find out.

Candy Reviews, Christmas Candy, Lollipops

With Peppermint Tootsie Pop Candy Cane Lollipops the Nostalgia Never Stops

November 25, 2009 by
Hard to find and a true Christmas favorite  - Peppermint Tootsie Pop Candy Cane Lollipops

Hard to find and a true Christmas favorite - Peppermint Tootsie Pop Candy Cane Lollipops

Sharability: 2

Denture Danger: 9

Convenience: 8

Novelty: Seasonal Novelty: 10

Overall: 10

‘Tis the season for the candy cane tootsie pop. The minty sweet peppermint to chill your breath and chewy tootsie roll chocolate to wash over your tastebuds with warmth.

You can enjoy the solo peppermint taste as long as you want until you can’t resist the urge to bite into the lollypop any longer. Then the sweet chewy chocolate flavor blends into the peppermint for one of those favorite flavor combinations that is sure to get stuck in your teeth.

Give your kids this wintertime candy to suck on while you sip on your liquid version of this candy: peppermint schnapps hot chocolate.

The chocolate peppermint makes you think of Christmas trees and Hannukah menorahs. It makes you think of snowy mornings of candy canes and hot chocolate, the feeling of coming back from sledding and gulping down that first sip of hot chocolate before you even have had time to take off your snow pants. This simple candy combines two favorites (candy canes and tootsie rolls) to flaunt its flavor and teach the original tootsie roll pop a little something.

Candy Reviews, Lollipops

Sugar Daddy and His Babies

October 12, 2009 by
At one point, Sugar Daddy Lollipops were the largest lollipop available!

At one point, Sugar Daddy Lollipops were the largest lollipop available!

Sharability: 6 (you can share his babies)

Denture Danger: 9

Convenience: 6

Novelty: 9

Overall: 7

The Sugar Daddy Lollipop was the largest lollipop of its time. Frank, a chemist at the James O. Welch Company invented the Sugar Daddy in 1925. It was called the Papa until 1932. The sugar babies were born three years later in 1935 and were soon adopted by what is now Tootsie Roll Industries.

The Sugar Daddy is a large rectangular caramel pop. My great aunt told me about how she used to love Sugar Daddies and she wasn’t even sure why, because she said that sometimes she couldn’t even bite into them.

The Sugar Daddy definitely isn’t the softest caramel candy, but it is chewy enough to successfully get stuck in your teeth. The Sugar Babies are softer and if you didn’t think the Sugar Daddy had enough sugar, the Sugar Babies were birthed with an extra coat of candy.

The coating adds a softer consistency to the little jellybean shaped babies. If you want a personal caramel candy, the Sugar Daddy is perfect, but if you want a softer more sharable version, get yourself a bag of babies and enjoy!

Candy Reviews, Lollipops

Stop, Drop, Eat a Dum Dum Pop

August 14, 2009 by
 
A vintage advertisement for Dum Dum Lollipops, manufactured by Spangler Candy Company

A vintage advertisement for Dum Dum Lollipops, manufactured by Spangler Candy Company

Denture Danger: 0 (10 if you try to bite it)

Convenience: 10

Novelty: 10

Sharability: 10

Overall: 10

“I love candy! All candy! Chocolate, caramel, jawbreakers, suckers…”**

One sucker that I think pretty much everyone knows and loves is the Dum Dum sucker. This little sucker is the perfect size for that sweet craving for anytime (if you remember to stuff a few in your pockets at the start of the day), and it can last as long as you allow it.

A sales manager from the Akron Candy Company by the name of I.C. Bahr named Dum Dums in roaring 1924. The Spangler Candy Company bought out the Dum Dum Pop in 1953 and continues to produce Dum Dums that are being enjoyed right now as you read this.

The Dum Dums come in a wide variety of flavors. You’ve got your classic orange, strawberry, grape, watermelon and such, and then flavors ranging from root beer to cotton candy to banana split to ashlynn coconut to buttered pop corn and, of course, the highly coveted cream soda.

I don’t know if it is the beautiful picture of the bananas, lemons, orange, and pineapple on the wrapper or if it is how deliciously sweet the flavor feels as it hits your tongue, but whatever it is, kids going at a bag of Dum Dums looking for the cream soda is like a pack of wolves scavenging for the last bites of food. If cream soda doesn’t float your boat it isn’t hard to find a personally pleasing Dum Dum from the seemingly endless list of flavors.

The mystery flavor also stands out as a favorite among youngsters. The mystery flavor is flavor combo of two flavors that are formed accidentally when the machine is switching from one flavor to another. I think that the mystery flavor is a great twist, but don’t be distressed if your friend grabbed the last mystery flavor pop.

No one is going to judge you for eating two at the same time. That way you get to be the decider of what two flavors are going to make your combination. No matter how many Dum Dums you may eat and no matter what flavors you may choose, Dum Dums are meant to be enjoyed by everyone and shared amongst everyone. No one should feel left out because they don’t have a little white stick protruding from their mouth.

 ** A line from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory