It can be difficult for me to appreciate simple candy pleasures but when possible, I like to savor the types of candy that used to really make my day as a kid. I would eat Swedish Fish, the individually wrapped ones, and really savor them; spend 10 minutes alone in a dark room with a sour apple Blow Pop (man, those were good!) or eat Tootsie Rolls, the short ones out of teachers’ candy dishes or the longer ones when I splurged at the candy store (hey, I could get two Fish for that dime!) Well, today’s post is a little homage to the humble Tootsie Roll.

The Tootsie Roll was introduced in 1896 in New York City – I knew I liked this candy – and named after the daughter of the candymaker: Her nickname was Tootsie. The candymaker, Leo Hirshfield, brought the recipe for the chocolate chew from his native Austria. In 1938, the operation was moved to Hoboken, NJ just in time: when World War II breaks out, Tootsie Rolls are included in war rations and become highly prized for their ability to withstand severe weather conditions and for their (relative) caloric density.

In the 1950’s, the company gains popularity in part due to their eager sponsorship of children’s television shows such as Howdy Doody, Rin Tin Tin and Rocky & Bullwinkle. One of the things people apparently remember best about Tootsie Roll promotions is the jingle, which goes a little something like this:

“The world looks mighty good to me

‘cause Tootsie Rolls are all I see

Whatever it is I think I see

Becomes a Tootsie Roll to me.

Tootsie Roll how I love your chocolatey chew

Tootsie Roll I think I’m in love with you

Whatever it is I think I see

Becomes a Tootsie Roll to me.”

And on that note (pun intended) I am going to leave you to your thoughts of chewy chocolatey goodness.