Candy History, Nostalgic Candy Favorites, Retro Candy

Candy History: Necco Peach Blossoms

December 7, 2013 by

A Peach Blossom A Day

Peach Blossoms are a candy that tastes as sweet as it sounds. A truly American treat, they also happen to be made by an American company with a history that stretches far longer than you may have expected.

It all started back in 1847. It was in this fateful year that a man by the name of Oliver Chase invented the lozenge cutter. Chase was a pharmacist, so he wasn’t necessarily in the candy-making business. But, as it turns out, the creation of this machine, which allowed long ropes of sugar to be cut into manageable pieces, was just what the confectionary doctor had ordered.

retro-necco-peach-blossomsIn fact, the machine was first used to slice up what we know today as NECCO Wafers. Originally used as cough drops, or a way to soothe the stomach, these wafers were yet to come into their candy prime. Alas, who would have known that a simple little machine, similar to a pasta maker, would have such an impact on U.S. candy production?

Peach Blossoms Blossom

In 1901, Chase & Company, Hayward & Company, and Wright & Moody – three pre-Civil-War-era candy companies – joined forces to become NECCO: the New England Confectionary Company that we know and love today.

Four years later, in 1905, NECCO introduced Peach Blossoms. And the smooth peanut butter, wrapped in a crunchy candy coating has been delighting sweet tooths ever since.

But, don’t expect Peach Blossoms to actually taste like peaches. The candy is more reminiscent of the flower than the fruit, as there’s no peach flavoring inside. Somehow, the misleading name has never been a turnoff, as generations have been enjoying the candy ever since.

buy-necco-peach-blossoms-onlinePeachy Keen

Today, Peach Blossoms are manufactured in Revere, Massachusetts. The factory still uses many machines that have been around since before World War II and relies on real live workers to add food coloring and whisk mixtures – no fully automated candy production, here! So the Peach Blossoms you buy today are made with the same personal touch that has been sweetening every batch for decades.

Source Material:

  • http://boston1905.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-england-confectionary-company-necco.html
  • http://www.necco.com/About.aspx
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach_Blossoms
  • http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/2/15/necco-factory-tour/#
  • http://candyprofessor.com/2009/10/02/olive-chase-necco-wafers/

Image Sources:

  • http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Vintage-Tin-Can-Necco-Sweets-Hard-Candies-Peach-Blossoms-/121221448652

You Might Also Like

17 Comments

  • Reply Theresa Germain January 6, 2014 at 1:45 am

    Looked all around Northern NH for your Peach Blossoms this year, walmart, Rite Aid , Walgreens, Shaws grocery and could not find any anywhere! Went to Steeplegate mall today and went to the candy shop (can\’t remember it\’s name) and finally found some! Did you make a limited supply this year? People at Walmart said they never received any. It just wasn\’t Christmas without your Peach Blossoms – so glad I found some today – I bought 6 cans, but when I opened 1 can they were all stuck together, was able to get some apart so I could have some on the way home, it tasted sooooooo good! Please don\’t stop making these delicious candies.

  • Reply gladys peer January 31, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    Do you have peach blossoms?

    • Reply Jonah Half April 30, 2014 at 9:05 am

      Necco Peach Blossoms are only produced once a year and will return this October. Please check back then for availability.

  • Reply Charlene Smith November 2, 2014 at 11:58 pm

    Dear Necco, I am a northerner, but have always been able to find my peach blossoms while in the Boston area. However I moved to North Carolina 21 years ago, have not been able to find them since, my sister whom lives in Mason NH had been bringing me some down, but last year she had a hard time locating some to bring down. Its true that it doesn’t seem like Christmas without Peach Blossoms. My sister said she didn’t think you were producing them anymore mainly because she couldn’t find any last year. Do you sell them in the south if so where. Also where will they be sold in the north. Sister is planning a trip down around the 21 of November, I sure hope she is able to bring some this way. Thank You Charlene Smith

  • Reply Tom Gain November 20, 2016 at 10:48 am

    When I was a young kids my parents always put a bag of peach blossoms in our Christmas stocking. My father who passed away in 1983 grew up with them and loved them very much. Thanks for keeping up a great tradition.

  • Reply Bob Ostromecki September 9, 2018 at 1:01 pm

    I thought that Peach Blossoms were made by the Deran candy company in Cambridge near Boston, Mass.
    Unless theirs were called Peach Buds. I also heard that another company may of called them Satin Pillows?
    Can you give me a little insight on this?

  • Reply Sherry Aungst December 29, 2018 at 6:42 pm

    Can you still buy peach blossom candy from necco. I was told they went out of business.

    • Reply Jonah Half January 8, 2019 at 3:04 pm

      Necco did go out of business and we are hoping that some of their products return. Currently, a few other manufacturers have expressed interest in making some of their iconic candies. Stay tuned…

  • Reply Tania Buck September 5, 2019 at 12:31 pm

    My sister love the peach blossoms candies that Necco makes I was wondering if they are still going to be produced and if not could I have a recipe so I can make them we always get them for her every Christmas either 15 to 20 cans to make it last as long as it can cuz they’re only made at Christmas time please help me

  • Reply Steve Feeley September 13, 2019 at 4:31 pm

    victorias candy in pensylvania makes them at Christmas time (14 per pound)

    • Reply Jonah Half September 17, 2019 at 11:06 am

      They might make a similar product but the Original Peach Blossoms are no longer available as they were manufactured by NECCO who went bankrupt in 2018. They will surely be missed this holiday season!

  • Reply Sandy Hall December 16, 2019 at 7:16 pm

    Oh no im so sad to hear this news Necco made so many happy holidays for so many of us . I hope they get a new buyer and keep the family name and candy coming along with the old and new family memories ❣️❤️ Thank you the Necco family

  • Reply Patricia Williams December 21, 2019 at 3:09 pm

    No wonder I can no longer find Peach Blossoms, I had not heard NECCO went out of business! How sad. I am nearly 74 years old and have enjoyed them since I was a child.

    • Reply Jonah Half January 13, 2020 at 2:41 pm

      The closure of Necco created a large hole in the retro candy shelves. this was our first year, in our 93-year history, that we didn’t offer Peach Blossoms. Tragic!

  • Reply Brenda MacArthur February 5, 2022 at 5:52 pm

    Someone should get the patent for Peach Blossoms and sell them during the holiday season!

  • Reply Liz Marotta September 3, 2023 at 12:28 am

    Bring Back the
    Peach Blossom!!!
    Somebody please 🙏

  • Leave a Reply