Browsing Tag

candy history

Candy History, Candy Memories, Candy News, Retro Candy

Talking Candy History On the Airways

March 20, 2018 by

These days, the candy industry is a noisy place to be. With new products competing against perennial favorites, cult classics making a comeback and old favorites getting the final cut, it can be a challenge to separate fact from fiction and trust that you are getting your candy insights from a trusted source. At CandyFavorites, we’re proud to stand out from the noise, providing our customers with high quality candy from yesterday and today, while also offering an experienced perspective on the pulse of the industry. Since 1927, we have led the way with our customer service, attention to detail and deliciously sweet treats. It is always an honor to share our knowledge of and passion for candy with the wider world, and we hope you’ll always feel free to reach out to us with any questions. We’re here to serve you.

Please enjoy this recent interview with our President, Jon Prince on Let’s Dine Out with Allen Borgen on NPR’s Food Talk Radio Show.

Candy History, Halloween Candy

Want To Learn Why We Give Out Halloween Candy?

September 16, 2015 by

Halloween_CandyColorful and imaginative costumes, ringing doorbells and little hands grabbing handfuls of candy out of a brimming candy dish – we think it’s safe to say that there’s no holiday quite like Halloween. But where did our traditions originate? After all, you have to admit that dressing up as your favorite character and asking virtual strangers for Halloween Candy is a bit strange.

Though many believe that trick-or-treating is just another one of those traditions cooked up by candy companies in order to generate revenue, the truth is that these traditions are rooted in history. The exact forerunners of today’s trick-or-treating habits – where children dress up, knock on neighbors’ doors and collect bucketfuls of candy – may be a bit hazy but here are a few contenders for potential influencers. Which do you think is the real inspiration for Halloween celebrations?

“Souling”
During the ninth century in England, November 2nd was designated “All Souls Day”, which was a time for honoring relatives and ancestors who had passed on. To celebrate, townsfolk would participate in bonfires and masquerades. In addition to festive parties, poor people would visit the houses of richer families and beg for “soul cakes” in exchange for promises to pray for the souls of the homeowners’ deceased relatives. The tradition was later taken up by children who would go door-to-door asking for gifts like food or money.

“Guising”
Also during the ninth century in Scotland and Ireland, young people took part in a tradition called “guising” wherein they dressed up in costumes and accepted offerings from various households. In exchange for the gifts they received, these youngsters would sing a song, recite a poem, tell a joke or perform another form of “trick”. Could this possibly be where the phrase “Trick-or-treat” came from?

Trick-Or-Treating
In the early 20th century, many immigrants to the United States had begun to revive the traditions of “Souling” and “Guising”. However, by the 1920’s many of these traditions had devolved into pranks and vandalism rather than harmless door-to-door visits and begging. When the Great Depression struck, the issues surrounding Halloween pranking and damage became much worse. Some sources theorize that it was this costly vandalism issue that led to the organization of community-based trick-or-treating events to deter these activities.

Regardless of where these traditions came from, one thing is certain – Halloween is still the best night of the year to show off frightening costumes and gather gobs of delicious candy! But before you can indulge on the busiest candy-eating night of the year, you need to stock up! Visit candyfavorites.com and peruse our selection of tasty, sweet, cute and spooky Halloween Candy. We’re sure you’ll find just the treats you’ve been looking for!

Candy History, Nostalgic Candy Favorites

The History of Pez Iconic Candy Dispensers

January 23, 2014 by

early-pez-dispensersNothing says childhood quite like PEZ. There’s something nostalgic about these familiar little treats that bring back memories of yesteryear with each and every bite. But would you believe that your favorite PEZ didn’t start out as the fruity candy we know and love today? It’s true! In fact, this is one candy that has a history that may surprise you.

Pfefferminz to PEZ

Eduard Haas III invented PEZ in 1927, in Vienna, Austria. The name of the candy originated from the German word for peppermint, which happens to be “pfeffermintz.” Haas took the ‘p,’ ‘e,’ and ‘z’ from the German word to get the candy’s name, PEZ. And after eight years, the company was doing so well that they had to build a factory in Czechoslovakia to increase production.

PEZ For Your Health

Then in 1948, Oscar Uxa revolutionized the PEZ experience, designing a PEZ dispenser that allowed one piece of candy to be dispensed at a time. This was a sanitary measure that prevented people from touching every piece of candy before choosing one. However, it also doubled as an anti-smoking campaign.

The push for people to eat PEZ instead of smoking a cigarette was a real one. In fact, early slogans for the candy boasted, “No smoking, PEZing Allowed” as Haas hoped his candy might lower smoking rates.

PEZ in the USA

pez-space-gun-dispensersIt wasn’t until 1952 that PEZ made their way to the United States. In that year, the first U.S. PEZ headquarters were established in New York City. Despite PEZ’s success in Europe, Curtis Allina, the first president of PEZ in the U.S., found the candy difficult to sell because of the strong peppermint flavor. So, in an attempt to draw children to the brand, PEZ came up with the idea to create fruity flavored versions and cute, character-themed dispensers.

The idea worked. In no time, children and adults alike were in love with PEZ. The very first dispensers available were a Full-body Santa, Robot, and Space Gun. And since then, the character-themed dispensers have really taken off! Today, there are countless different PEZ dispensers to choose from, and ten different candy flavors available. We have Hello Kitty PEZ Dispensers, Marvel Superhero PEZ dispensers, and everything in between. There really is a PEZ for everybody.

pez-dispensersFrom Far to Near

And while PEZ are sold worldwide, the PEZ candy that you eat in the USA is made in America. So with a single satisfying click of any PEZ dispenser, you can feel good knowing that the candy in your mouth is really much closer to home than you would expect.

Candy History, Hard To Find Candy

Candy History: Angel Mints

December 23, 2013 by

A Mint From The Past

am_singleIf you’ve eaten candy in the last almost 100 years, then chances are you’ve had Angel Mints. These minty masterpieces were first introduced in 1919 on the Atlantic City boardwalk. The boardwalk was the birthplace of many popular time-tested candies, such as Salt Water Taffy, as people are more apt to treat themselves to sugar on a day in the sun.

Originally, each batch of Angel Mints was cooked in copper kettles over gas stoves, to maximize moisture content. After cooking, the candies were individually wrapped to ensure freshness. It’s that little extra effort that has continued to make a huge difference in taste for almost a century.

Divinely Inspired?

And the heavenly name? Legend goes that people raved about the candy’s peppermint zing with comments like, “this candy tastes heavenly” and “this recipe had to be divinely inspired,” so that the candy maker could see no more fitting name than Angel Mints! Not bad, eh?

Peppermint Power

angel-mints-bigOne of the reasons Angel Mints have remained so popular over the years is their apparent healing property. The peppermint oil in each Angel Mint has palliative therapy benefits that have been reported to help treat indigestion, respiratory problems, and everything in between.

In fact, peppermint oil has a whole host of healthy properties. It contains manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, folate, potassium, copper, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins A and C. As if you needed more reasons to love Angel Mints! Now you know, they’re actually good for your health!

A 21st Century Mint

Today, production of Angel Mints has moved to Florida, but the process hasn’t changed a bit. Each batch is still handmade according to the original recipe, and wrapped on the same K-H cut and wrap machines that have been around since the dawn of Angel Mints time. A traditional process in a modern era: now that’s history that you can taste.

Source Material

  • http://www.angelmint.com/our-candy/angel-mints/

Images

  • http://www.angelmint.com/our-candy/angel-mints/
  • http://store.veganessentials.com/angel-mints-by-florida-candy-company-p4034.aspx
Candy History, Christmas Candy

Candy History: Christmas Candy in America

November 14, 2013 by

Announcing a new Christmas Candy favorite!

Christmas-penny-candy-Americana-mixMost of our top-10 bestselling candies year after year are Brach’s candies like Butterscotch Disks, Villa Cherries, and Ice Blue Mint Coolers. But every year, there’s one candy mix — only sold at CandyFavorites.com — that manages to rank among those established favorites. Penny Candy Americana Mix delivers joy to everyone who encounters it by bringing back the tastes of childhood for all ages.

What better time for the wonderful magic of rediscovery than Christmas morning?

This year, we’re excited to introduce Christmas Candy Americana Mix!

A Mixed History

The history of Christmas candy in America is one that can bring back fond memories for almost anyone, as everyone seems to have their own personal Christmas candy history and experiences. Our love of Christmas candy in America stretches back many generations, linking families and taste buds for over a century.

Did you know that the first mention of candy canes in America was in 1847? A German immigrant by the name of August Imgard decorated his Christmas tree with them in that year, and they’ve been a perennial Christmas favorite in the U.S., ever since.

Traditionally Minded

In fact, Americans are pretty traditional when it comes to their candy favorites. Our Americana Penny Candy Mix pays tribute to some of the oldest and most revered candies in America.

Would you believe that most of the top-selling candies in America today were first introduced before World War II? It’s true, and for good reason. If you have a good thing, why bother changing it? And, in the early part of the 20th century, America was brimming with delicious, new chocolates and candies.

Twizzlers and Hershey Bars have been in production since 1845 and 1900, respectively.  These top candies are an ongoing testament that our appreciation of quintessentially Americana candy runs deep.

christmas-candy-spearmint-leavesAmericana for All

When it comes to Christmas candy, we Americans are devoted to our time-tested favorites. Everyone seems to love biting into a candy that reminds them of the magic of Christmases in their childhood. There’s something really sweet about revisiting those memories of a time when Spearmint Leaves cost a penny and Hershey bars went for only a nickel.

Our brand new Christmas Candy Americana Mix evokes all of the nostalgic thoughts of yesteryear, with a little bit of everything inside. So when you bite into one of these candies, you know you’re tasting some of the best that American Christmas candy has to offer.

Sources:

  • http://inventors.about.com/od/foodrelatedinventions/a/candy_canes.htm
  • http://www.candycanefacts.com/facts/
  • http://images.businessweek.com/ss/09/10/1021_americas_25_top_selling_candies/26.htm
  • http://www.candyblog.net/blog/item/spearmint_leaves