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Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News, Candy Reviews

LEARN more about the history of the “space-age” lollipops known as ASTRO POPS.

March 9, 2021 by


3, 2, 1… blastoff!  Astro Pops are delicious, and if you haven’t tried them, then you need to get on that now (by ordering some from Candyfavorites.com, of course), but have you ever wondered how these astronomically delicious, out-of-this-world candies came to be?

Astro Pops – A classic since its launch in 1963

To learn more about the history of this out-of-this-world, iconic lollipop, please CLICK HERE.

Candy History, Candy News

Is this truly the end of Brach’s Butterscotch Disks?

December 12, 2019 by

Some things are hard to believe and disbelief was the first thing that crossed our minds when we read that Brach’s Butterscotch Disks are being discontinued. We thought it might be a typographical error and then checked the prescription in our reading glasses.  

After a few phone calls and emails, we realized this was not “fake news,” and that this beloved candy was soon to enter the realm of memory. Being one, if not THE oldest wholesale candy distributors of Brach’s Candy, we were heartbroken but, sadly, have seen this happen all too many times before.   

Is this really the end of Brach’s Butterscotch Disks?

Many years ago, the first product we offered on the internet, Ice Blue Mint Coolers, was discontinued, and many candy lovers’ hearts shattered. We still can’t understand their decision as demand was so high, and requests for this long discontinued candy still arrive daily.

Cherry Twisters disappeared as did Special Treasures Butter Toffee.  Brach’s Neapolitans suffered a similar fate.  These were candies our grandparents grew up with and shared with later generations, and products such as Dem Bones were teaching tools used for learning.  These candies were delicious, historic, iconic, and Brachs was a brand as “All American” as Apple Pie.

Brach’s Malts are no longer produced and 2019 was the first holiday season we didn’t offer a variation of Brach’s Villa Cherries, aka Cherry Cordials, and now Butterscotch Disks are slated for extinction.  It’s sad and NOT a sign of progress in the right direction. Could this be the end of a candy era?

Please share your thoughts about your favorite Brach’s Candies and we will forward this to their marketing department. It may not bring about change but it will undoubtedly preserve sweet memories.

PS: One last shipment of Brach’s Butterscotch Disks is heading in our direction.  Please sign up for an out of stock notification to be notified when they become available.

Brachs Candy, Candy History, Candy Memories, Easter Candy, Retro Candy

About the Goose that laid the Golden (Brach’s Marshmallow Easter Hunt) Egg

March 15, 2019 by

It may not be laid by a mythical Golden Goose, but Brach’s Marshmallow Easter Hunt Eggs are pretty much the proverbial “golden egg” when it comes to Easter candy even if they only come in soft pastel shades. They are also among the hardest to find.  So, why are these eggs so special?

brach's marshmallow hunt eggs
Brach’s Marshmallow Hunt Eggs have longer been a must in any well stocked basket.

For over 50 years, our wholesale division has been selling these colorful oversized sugar laden eggs, and they have changed little over the years.   The size has gotten smaller – name us a candy which hasn’t – but the colors and taste have remained consistent with the hard candy outer shell covering soft marshmallow. Flavors combinations don’t often get better.  

Like many “cult” candies, they can be divisive.  Some claim that they taste better when they are soft to the touch while others claim “Hunt eggs” are better when slightly hard. This argument applies to another marshmallow based Easter candy, Peeps.  There may not be an answer to this esoteric question, but there is no doubt that they are one, if not the, most sought after Easter candy that we offer.  (for the record, we prefer them slightly crunchy)

Brach's logo
Did you know that we are one of the oldest Brach’s Candy distributors in the nation!

Since Day One, whenever that may have been, each bag contained a rainbow of colors and flavors.  In 2019, the color assortment features Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Purple, and White with delightful tastes such as Grape, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Raspberry, Strawberry, and Vanilla.  Each piece is individually wrapped making them perfect for Easter Egg Hunts hence their name.   

We have a customer who dropped them out of a helicopter, another who tossed them from the top of a Ferris Wheel and one who scattered them over a nine-hole golf course!   Of course, you don’t have to go to lengths to enjoy them. They taste just as good when included in an Easter Basket or put in a colleagues candy jar or retrieved from your briefcase or purse or found a few months later in a desk drawer.

Although increasingly hard to find, these delightful Easter Candy have brought joy to many generations, and we hope this continues as Easter wouldn’t be the same without a colorful Brach’s Marshmallow Egg.  Let’s hope we don’t lose the Goose who laid them!

Candy History, Candy Memories, Candy News, Retro Candy, Valentine's Candy

Ode to the Conversation Heart

February 5, 2019 by
NECCO Conversation Hearts

For generations, Valentine’s Day has not been complete without at least one box of Conversation Hearts. You know them when you see them. Also known as Sweethearts, they’re the super sweet, heart-shaped treats with phrases like, ‘Be Mine’ and ‘Kiss Me’ emblazoned on the front. A staple of school parties and a beloved addition to candy drawers everywhere, Conversation Hearts have truly been a cornerstone of the sweetest holiday of the year for generations. 

Unfortunately, all those days spent loving (or loving to hate) Conversation Hearts will soon become just a memory. NECCO, the original manufacturer of Conversation Hearts went out of business last year, leaving fans of the candy wondering what would happen to this time-tested favorite.

NECCO conversation hearts

This news has left a bitter taste in the candy world. While the fate of this treat hangs in the balance, we are all left wondering how to get our fill of our favorite sweets this February 14th. Whether Conversation Hearts were always your first pick, or if they were the candy you ended up eating after your chocolate stash ran out, they were always there, consistently sweetening up even the dreariest February days.

Spangler Candy Company currently owns the Sweethearts brand, but, having only acquired the brand in September, the company has reported that they did not have time to produce this perennial treat in time for Valentine’s Day. Although Spangler has intentions of bringing the candy back in 2020, there’s no guarantee that we’ll get our beloved Conversation Hearts next year either.

Have any special Sweethearts memories you’d like to share? We’d love to hear! WANT TO WIN OUR LAST 1 POUND BAG OF NECCO CONVERSATION HEARTS? Simply tell us your most memorable Sweethearts moments in the comments below to enter. Keep the spirit of the Conversation Heart alive as we wait to see what next year will bring.

And while you may try to fill the void with other seasonal favorites, there is truly nothing else quite as special as a Conversation Heart.

Candy History, Candy Memories, Candy News, Retro Candy

Black Jack, Beemans and Clove Gum: A Story of Revival

August 29, 2018 by

Black Jack, Beemans and Clove Gum Set to Return This Fall

The lifespan of a candy is never known. What seems like a classic could be gone in an instant, leaving candy lovers wondering how to satisfy their sweet tooth cravings, and feeling that the candy world will never be the same again.

However, for some candies, there is a miraculous comeback story, a happy redemption that reminds us all just how unexpected and beautiful the industry can be. Today, we are glad to report that, long-time favorites Black Jack, Beemans and Clove Chewing Gum will be back on the market this fall.

Gerrit J. Verburg Co. signed the final contracts to take ownership of the three retro chewing gums this summer, a huge step forward in reviving a long-loved trio of gums that have been part of American candy fabric since the late 1800’s.

Three Gums, Three Stories

black jack gumBlack Jack was the first flavored gum in the United States, and the first to be sold in sticks. The gum’s creator, Thomas Adams, purchased chicle in the hopes of turning it into rubber. When that plan failed, he pursued gum instead, and in 1871 Black Jack was born.

beemans gum

Beeman’s was originally marketed as an aid to digestion, due to the fact that the original formula contained pepsin and chicle. It became part of the American Chicle Company in 1898. Known as the lucky gum of pilots, the gum grew in popularity due to its ability to settle stomach acid in flight.

clove gum

The youngest of the three gums, Clove was invented by the Thomas Adams company in 1914. Rumor has it that the strong-smelling gum may have been prized during prohibition for its ability to hide the smell of alcohol.

We Make Candy History Personal 

Each of these gums has a long and storied past, but perhaps the most interesting candy history is the one you bring to the table. Did you enjoy Black Jack, Beemans and Clove in your youth? What do you remember most about the gums? Share your memories of these iconic candies with us, and be sure to sign up so you’ll be notified when all three are re-launched this fall.

When you share a memory about Black Jack, Beemans and Clove gum, you will automatically be entered to win one box each of these iconic gum flavors when they become available.  Contest entries accepted until September 16th, 2018 and a winner will be contacted on September 21st, 2018.  Happy Sharing!

Candy Contests, Candy History, Candy News, Licorice

Giveaway: Enter to Win Our Last Bag of Licorice Snaps!

June 15, 2018 by

Black licorice. When it comes to candy, this may be one of the most polarizing topics out there. Licorice haters may always hate, but licorice lovers are some of the most die-hard fans we know. So if you love licorice, then you already know that Licorice Snaps were a household name for generations.

Licorice Snaps: The Holy Grail of Licorice

Licorice Snaps

In 1914, Martin Kretchmer founded the American Licorice Company in Chicago, Illinois. Back then, Black Licorice Twists were the focus, and when those caught on, the company began to expand their offerings. It wasn’t until the 1930’s, however, when The Original Snaps Chewy Classic Candy came onto the scene. This treat, with its chewy licorice center and pastel-colored candy coating, soon became a cult favorite amongst licorice lovers, nationwide.

Through the years, The Original Snaps Chewy Classic Candy offered countless moments of joy to candy lovers young and old alike. But, in recent years, the candy was discontinued, leaving many a licorice connoisseur to get their fix elsewhere. We are always sorry to see the end of a retro candy, especially one as iconic as The Original Snaps.

But then, we stumbled across something wonderful in our midst: one bag of The Original Snaps Chewy Classic Candy.

How this single gem escaped us before, we aren’t certain. But, we’ve decided to host a giveaway for our last remaining bag of Snaps. After all, it could be the last bag left in the country, so it only seems right to send it off with a bang.

original formula licorice snaps bagHere’s How to Enter

To enter the giveaway, make a strong case for yourself in the comments section below: why should we give you our final bag of Snaps? You could include a nostalgic memory, a funny event–anything that shows us not just how much you love and appreciate this special licorice treat, but why you’re deserving of the very last bite.

So, time to flex your creative muscle! We can’t wait to read your responses. 

Snaps Giveaway responses will be accepted until July 2nd, 2018. The winner will be chosen and notified via email on July 5th, 2018.

Candy History, Candy News, Candy Reviews

Laffy Taffy and Snickers: Something Funny Going on Here

May 10, 2018 by

I have always said that laughter is the key to anyone’s heart, but is it the key to their stomachs as well? The Willy Wonka Candy Company and Mars Incorporated may have something to say when it comes to that topic. With the creations of Laffy Taffy and Snickers bars, their candies are sure to keep their consumers happy. Although the two candies are completely different, they both offer unique twists on classic candies. So let’s dig in to some flavorful facts.

laffy taffy assortedTaffy or Toffee, depending on where you live, was first brought into light in 1817 when the word was added to the Oxford Dictionary. The place of creation is unknown, but it is somewhere in Europe. By the time the 1870s came around, taffy was in its heyday and people loved it so much that they went as far as to throw taffy pulling parties. Although salt water taffy and Laffy Taffy are fairly soft, it is not the same in Scotland. In Scotland, toffee (known as tablet there) is so hard that it comes with a little metal hammer that is used to break the candies into smaller bits.

Laffy Taffy was first invented in 1971 to accompany the release of the Gene Wilder movie Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Originally Laffy Taffy was made by the Breaker Confections company until they changed their name to Willy Wonka Brands in 1980. The candies were packaged with bright colored wrappers that always included a joke inside. This was to reinforce the movie’s slightly psychedelic themes. The candy’s name comes simply from its texture and the jokes inside. The company was renamed again in 1993 after becoming a part of the Nestle company, and is now known as the Willy Wonka Candy Company. This reinforces the importance of the imaginary candy factory and its colorful creator, Mr. Wonka himself. The candies started off as a small thick square shape, but over the years developed into the longer thinner rectangles that we know and love today.

laffy taffy strawberryAlthough I had eaten them many times before, I went ahead and ate some of the little candies again in order to help me more accurately describe them. I started off with the Strawberry flavor which came in a bright pink wrapper. First I read the jokes provided to me. I am a sucker for some cheesy jokes, so I really enjoyed this one: What is a Buccaneer? Wait for it… expensive corn! *Crickets*. Anyway, after reading the jokes, I went on to smell my taffy. I like to see if it tastes like it smells, which food and candies often do, but not always. I decided that the Strawberry Laffy Taffy would make a nice candle. After sniffing the candy, I ate it. The Strawberry flavor was especially hard to chew. Otherwise, it tasted like it smelled. It was a bit sour and had a hint of the real strawberry flavor.

laffy taffy bananaThe next one that I tried was banana, which was wrapped nicely in  yellow packaging. As we are all aware, artificial banana flavor is in no way like real bananas. Thinking back to the circus peanuts reviewed in my first blog and the chicks and rabbits reviewed in my Easter blog, we discovered that artificial banana is a hit or miss every time that it is added to a candy. The banana taffy’s smell was a bit overpowering and it came with small hints of vanilla for some unexplained reason. When it comes to Laffy Taffy, the flavor is very similar to that of banana runts, which are also made by the Willy Wonka Candy Company. The banana taffy was a lot easier to chew than the strawberry and it was very smooth. It also just kind of tastes like the color yellow. What is a parasite? This one is pretty obvious… something you see in Paris.

laffy taffy grapeThe third taffy flavor that I tasted was grape and it came in a purple wrapper. Grape has never been one of my favorite flavors, but I am actually okay with it in Laffy Taffy form. When the packaging is first opened, there is a very strong scent that immediately reminded me of Fun Dip, another one of the Wonka company’s creations. The grape flavor was kind of sour, but not too strong in that regard, yet the overall flavor was very bold. Luckily the taffy’s texture was just right in the grape flavor, not to soft and not too hard.

laffy taffy sour appleThe last flavor that I tried was the sour apple flavor in a green package. For some odd reason, I had trouble smelling this flavor. Maybe my nose had too many scents inside of it from the previous flavors, or maybe it just didn’t have a smell. When I put the taffy in my mouth, I found that it was very soft compared to all of the other flavors. Although it was sour apple, the sour part didn’t hit me until later on in my tasting of the candy. When I am eating a sour candy, I like to really experience the sourness- getting that twitching in my eyes and the pucker in my lips. The taffy tasted good anyway though.

Even though each taffy flavor individually tasted great, all the flavors were kind of overpowering, especially when eaten one after another. I would definitely recommend trying Laffy Taffy if you haven’t done so yet. It’s not just a candy that can get stuck in your teeth, it’ll also provide you with some sweet jokes.

  • Shareability: 1               
  • Denture Danger: 10       
  • Convenience: 8        
  • Novelty: 3       
  • Overall: 8

Another silly candy is the Snickers bar. With a slogan like “curb your hunger before your hunger curbs you,” we’ve all been left to wonder what makes this candy so funny. So let’s find out. Snickers bars were created in 1930 by Frank Mars who founded the Mars candy company. He named the flavorful candy after one of his family’s horses. That horse must’ve had a pretty great sense of humor. The candies used to be called “Marathon Bars” in the United Kingdom (not to be confused with the Marathon Bar sold in America from 1973-1981, also by the Mars Company), but since have become known as Snickers all over the world. Currently they are the best selling candy in the world as well as one of the most highly produced, with the Mars company producing about 15 million bars per day. So what makes a Snickers bar so good? Could it be the chocolate, the peanuts, the caramel, or the nougat? Let’s delve into the tasty snack.

Snickers bars have always been a favorite candy of mine, so I was very excited to finally do something with my love for the layered goodness. Of course I started out by smelling the candy, which caused some strange looks from the people around me, but I didn’t mind. The bar had a very strong peanut smell, outshining all of the other ingredients trying to spend some time in the “limelight”. I guess if they wanted to do that they could go join in on the fun in a Jelly Belly bag, which can be found right here.  Anyway, after taking in the scent of the candy, I tasted it, just like the taffy. The candy was very sweet, and much more chocolatey than the smell suggested. It was both crunchy and chewy at the same time, and luckily not too hard even though there were peanuts in the bar. With much concentration, I was able to detect a faint nougat taste, but it would have gone unnoticed had I not been looking for it. I enjoyed the candy anyway, like I always do. All in all, there was a lot going on in the fantastic candies.

  • Shareability: 2               
  • Denture Danger: 8       
  • Convenience: 8       
  • Novelty: 2       
  • Overall: 9

What did one penny say to the other penny? This is a good one… just wait. “Let’s get together and make some sense!” So we can do that too. Laffy Taffy and Snickers bars have one wonderful connection and that is the fact that they are known to provide people with long lasting smiles. With very sweet overpowering flavors, the candies are sure to give both your mouth and your stomach an explosion of joy. In all seriousness though, if you enjoy life and love to laugh, you should check out Laffy Taffy and Snickers right here at candyfavorites.com.

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, Candy in Pop Culture, Easter Candy, Hard To Find Candy

Here Come Kinder Joy Eggs, Hoppin’ Down the Candy Trail

March 1, 2018 by

“A day without laughter, is a day wasted.” — Charlie Chaplin

Don’t touch that dial, errr . . . I mean that remote. “It’s time for the Family Feud. Oh wait a minute, I mean the Candy Feud! Today we are going to have some fun with an old favorite game show that was first hosted by Richard Dawson back in 1976 and since 2010 is hosted by Steve Harvey.

Ready people?  OK, here we go!

What’s the top answer to this question: Finish this phrase ________ basket.

Bread basket? Waste basket? Laundry basket? Picnic basket?

And the number one answer is . . . (at least in this blogger’s brain) . . . (drum roll please) . . . is Easter basket!

Alright, alright, I hear you! Yes, I do own a calendar and yes I do live in the present month (sometimes). And yes, it’s true that some days my thoughts are a little scrambled. Some days I honestly don’t know if I’m coming or going. But one thing I do know is that Kinder Joy Eggs arrived in the U.S. and specifically to CandyFavorites. So let’s live dangerously and put all of our eggs in one basket to see if this cult favorite in Europe is all it’s cracked up to be! (Sorry. Some days I just can’t help myself!)

Kinder Joy Eggs

The Italian company, Ferrero manufactures the Kinder Joy Egg, and this chocolate delight was invented by William Salice. The original Italian egg was called Kinder Sopresa, (sopresa meaning Italian for “surprise”). And that surprise inside is what is so unique and popular with kids and collectors about this confection.

Each Kinder Joy Egg is made up of two sides of the egg. One half consists of two creamy milk and white chocolate layers topped with two crispy wafer bites filled with cocoa cream. The other half of the egg holds the toy which varries from cars, to animals, to funny looking creatures, to Disney princesses, to Hello Kitty, to Fairies and Friends and a whole crate load of others.

kinder joy egg

Kind of like what Cracker Jack is to the U.S. but without the “candy-coated popcorn, peanuts and a prize!” Did you know Cracker Jack is over 120 years old and many of the metal toy prizes were made by TootsieToy who made the game markers for Monopoly? And during World War II the prizes were made out of paper.

And just for fun I thought I’d leave you on the “sunny side” with a little humor to go.

Why does a chicken coop only have 2 doors?
Because if it had 4 doors it would be a sedan!

What day of the week do chickens hate the most?
Fry-day!

And last but certainly not least . . .

What did Snow White call her chicken?
Egg White!

Remember you’re never fully dressed without a smile! 🙂