Browsing Tag

candy bars

Halloween Candy

When Do Those Halloween Treats Turn Into Tricks?

August 11, 2015 by

We’ve all been there. Searching through the cupboards, looking for just the thing to satisfy that chocolate craving. Finally after minutes of intense searching, you find it – a leftover treat that’s been hiding since the last time trick-or-treaters came knocking on your door. That candy bar you found shoved in the back of the pantry was in the wrapper. It should be fine…right?

Situations like these raise the question, “Can my candy go bad?” Some of us may even be thinking of the candy-themed months ahead. Halloween is just around the corner, after all, and Christmas is right on its heels. So how early is TOO early to start stocking your candy bowl in preparation for the hordes of costumed candy bandits headed your way?

As any die-hard Halloween fan knows, it can take several weeks to set up the perfect haunted house, finalize an award winning costume, and stock up on the perfect treats for your candy dish. For all you avid Halloween enthusiasts concerned about jumping the gun, we have good news. It is safe to begin stocking up on the best treats in the neighborhood by ordering from CandyFavorites.com – your treats will still be fresh for the big day!

Not to get too scientific on you, but many candies and candy bars are high in sugar and low in moisture. If the packages stay closed, this combination lends itself to a long shelf life. Strictly speaking, pure chocolate can last up to two years or more without presenting any serious risks to consumer health. However, any ingredients like nuts and peanut butter can degrade more quickly than the actual chocolate.

In many cases, a candy’s shelf life is more about the quality of the treat, rather than any health risks associated with consuming it. After a significant amount of time has passed, many candies will begin to lose their color and flavor, and most chocolates will develop white splotches – but no need to worry! The appearance of these white spots (often known as “blooming”) is simply a product of the sugar or fat in your chocolate rising to the surface after a prolonged period of time. Though they are not the most appetizing, they are harmless.

If you’re ordering your Halloween candy now, as a general rule of thumb just remember to store it in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. Or, for the best tasting candy no matter the time of year, take a peek at our handy Shelf Life Guide for more information.

Candy Bar Reviews, Candy History, Candy Reviews, Retro Candy

The Zero Bar is far from a Zero!

July 15, 2010 by
Vintage Zero Bar Wrapper

The Zero Bar is a candy with a long history as it was first introduced in the 1930's by Hollywood Candy Company but it now owned by Hershey Foods. This wrapper , circa early 1930's, is very rare as it shows a Polar Bear!

The Zero Bar is not your average candy bar as it is a candy with a history spanning over 70 years!

It was first introduced in the 1920’s by the now defunct Hollywood Brands Candy Company and is now owned by Hershey Foods although this transition took place over many years and included many owners in between.

 The candy bar is unique in that it consists of a delicious amalgamation of almonds, peanuts and caramel nougat covered, or shall we say , drenched, with delicious white fudge. This was even more controversial upon its release as most candy bars then, as now, are coated in milk chocolate.

As per the name, this has been the subject of candy lore as it was not touted as a reduced calorie candy bar – hence the name Zero – but rather because the white coating was supposed to give the impression of snow and, metaphorically speaking, “cool as zero degrees”

The original wrapper had a Polar Bear on it and upon it’s initial release,  was called Double Zero. It wasn’t until 1934 that it formally became known as the Zero Bar

The original Zero Bars were distributed in the summer as fudge has a much higher melting point than milk chocolate and, as there wasn’t air conditioning readily available when the bar was first released; retailers stored this in their refrigerators.

Yes, this candy bar like others will melt if exposed to high temperatures but there is something intriguing about this bar that makes it endure as a classic if only because it is delicious and holds true to it’s original formula and because it is over 70 years old!

PS: The vintage Zero Bar wrapper pictured above is VERY rare as it shows the Polar Bear!  This is circa early 1930’s

Candy Bar Reviews, Candy Reviews, chocolate

Milky Way Simply Caramel offers a totally Caramel experience

July 13, 2010 by
Milky Way Simply Caramel Candy Bar offers a truly Caramel experience

In 1923, the first chocolate candy bar with a filled center was introduced and it was called Milky Way. In 2010, this iconic candy bar has a new relative called Milky Way Simply Caramel which is a great tasting candy bar aimed at lovers of Caramel Candies...

Did you know that the first chocolate bar with a filled center was the beloved Milky Way bar, made by Mars, which was created by Frank Mars in 1923. However consistent this candy bar has remained for over 87 years, it is important to note that note all Milky Way bars are created equal. 

The Milky Way bar that is offered in the United States is a delicious amalgamation  of chocolate malt nougat topped with caramel and covered with rich milk chocolate BUT the Milky Way Bar offered on “distant shores” is not topped with caramel and is therefore similar to the American 3 Musketeers.

Confused? The Milky Ways sold in the United States is similar in taste to the Mars Bar sold in Europe.

Just when you think that you understand the subtle differences, Mars throws us a challenge with their new and delicious Milky Way Simply Caramel.

Unlike its siblings, this is identical throughout the world and, according to Masterfoods USA, it is “for consumers seeking a totally caramel experience” and is “tempting with rich, creamy caramel surrounded by real milk chocolate.”

It is a delicious new candy bar and there are few companies that can take a tried and tested classic and make it better as Masterfoods USA has done with Milky Way Simply Caramel

Candy Bar Reviews, Candy History, Candy Reviews, chocolate

Dark Chocolate Clark Bars – A history of a classic candy bar revisted!

July 9, 2010 by
A vintage Clark Bar Advertisement made long before there was a Dark Chocolate version

Clark Bars have a unique place in Pittsburgh history and were invented in McKeesport where our candy warehouse has been located since 1927! The new Dark Chocolate Clark Bar is a truly delicious twist on an old classic!

The former pride of Pittsburgh and McKeesport , the beloved Clark Bar, has just released a  All Natural Dark Chocolate version which is truly a unique twist on one of the best tasting candy bars available

In case you are not familiar with Clark Bars, they are a candy bar consisting of a honeycomb peanut butter crisp center with a rich milk chocolate covering.

The signature item of one of the country’s largest candy empires started in 1891 with a small operation run by young entrepreneur David L. Clark located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Within a few years, he made enough money to open a modest factory in McKeesport which is where CandyFavorites has been located since we opened our candy filled warehouse in 1927 ( actually it was in 1926 but we didn’t incorporate until a year later)

 By 1911, the candy had become so popular that the company was forced to relocate, and Mr. Clark purchased a large building from a cracker manufacturer. 

 In the 1920’s, when the company was making approximately one hundred and fifty (150) different types of candy and gum, Mr. Clark decided to create a separate company for the gum-making business, thinking that the candy and gum operations would be more successful if run separately.

 He opened the Clark Brothers Chewing Gum Co. across the street from his candy factory and his family continued to run the business until 1955.  The company remained a Pittsburgh mainstay for several decades but ran into financial difficulties in the 90s and the brand was rescued by the New England Confectionary Company known to candy lovers as NECCO.

In 2010, the formula was changed for Clark Bars and now includes All Natural Ingredients.  The Dark Chocolate version of the Clark Bar is one of the few examples of a formula being improved and we think that this variation is so delicious that, someday, it too will become a classic!