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Candy History, Candy in Pop Culture, Candy News, Lollipops, Valentine's Candy

Valentine’s Day Is For Candy Lovers

February 9, 2018 by

valentine's dayAs Valentine’s Day is a day of love and candy, I decided to do a little research as to why. We all know that the big Hallmark holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day are all about candy, but have you ever thought about why you are stuffing chocolates into your mouth? Ancient Romans were the first ones to start the Valentine’s Day tradition. There were two different Saint Valentines that the holiday was named after.  Every year around mid February, the Romans held an enormous festival called Lupercalia. This contained a feast in which the single young adults ate treats, drank alcohol, got to know each other, and would get married if everything went how the adults hoped it would. But his year to prepare for Valentine’s Day I  gave out some surveys to find out what kinds of candies are everyone’s favorites for the lovely holiday.

My surveys asked people to circle which candies they would most like to eat on Valentine’s Day. The list included: Conversation Hearts, Chocolate Sampler Boxes, Lollipops, Red and White M&Ms, Jelly Hearts, and Chocolate Roses. There was also an ‘other’ section that got answers like Reese’s Cups and Chocolate Pretzels. I was sure that the boxes of chocolate and Conversation Hearts were going to be the most liked candies, but the results that I received proved me wrong. The top three most popular were the Chocolate Sampler Boxes, Lollipops, and the M&Ms. So let’s talk about those.

boxed chocolateA classic example of a chocolate sampler box is the Whitman’s Sampler. Around 1915 it was the best selling box of chocolates in America. Whitman knew a lot about marketing which allowed his company to greatly prosper straight through the Great Depression and World War II. His most memorable (and highly sexist) ad campaign “ A Woman Never Forgets the Man Who Remembers” was what made the company’s profits skyrocket and what is keeping the candies here today. With a wide variety of chocolates in every box such as caramel and strawberry creme, a consumer will always find something to love about these delightful boxes. Even though we don’t carry Whitman chocolates, the gourmet chocolates we feature are quite decadent and delicious!  

lollipops

The history of lollipops is a little fuzzy, but there are lots of ideas of where they came from. If you’re curious, Jon Prince wrote about their history here.  I have always really enjoyed lollipops, in fact my next blog (which will be licktastic) is all about the little candies on a stick. I remember getting them at banks as a kid and watching their transformations there from bland flavors to Dum Dums. I also remember stealing them from my older siblings and eating them because I just couldn’t get enough of their flavorful sugar. On Valentine’s Day, lollipops come in lots of forms. There are basic pink and red ones of course, but the best are the clear heart shaped ones (that can easily be mistaken for soap on a stick). They can be given out to children’s classrooms or given to your loved ones as a small way to show them your affection.

m&m'sM&Ms have been around since 1941 and were created by the Mars candy company. For a long time, consumers had been searching for a chocolate that wouldn’t melt before they got around to eating it and M&Ms were the answer to this problem. In 1954, their famous slogan, “melts in your mouth, not in your hands” was introduced causing their already great chocolate to be even greater. The company slowly put out different colors and flavors of M&Ms, eventually making them America’s favorite candies.

I hope that you’ve learned something about candy this Valentine’s Day. Whether it was the fact that the Whitman’s chocolate company was just a bit sexist or that lollipops are much more popular than expected, there is always something to learn. I would like to keep learning about these candies, so take the poll below and let us know what your favorite Valentine’s Day candy is by submitting your choice in the comments section. Happy holiday!

Choices:

  • Conversation Hearts
  • Chocolate Sampler Boxes
  • Lollipops
  • Red and White M&Ms
  • Jelly Hearts
  • Chocolate Roses
  • Other
Candy History, Candy Memories, Easter Candy

It’s a Marshmallow “Peep” World

April 14, 2017 by

“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.” ~From the television show The Wonder Years

marshmallow peepsWith a Peep Peep here, and a Peep Peep there, here a Peep, there a Peep, everywhere a Peep Peep!

Easter baskets loaded with all kinds of goodies. Jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and lambs and of course yellow Peeps peeking out of the plastic green and pink straw that lined my brother’s and my Easter basket! Mmmmmm. . . Delicious memories.

I remember my dad searching for that big plastic bag in our basement that held our Easter baskets captive. It was time to get out the coffee cups and the bottle of white vinegar out as my mom cooled the dozen of hard boiled eggs. Then my younger brother and I would sit at the kitchen table, plop the color tablets into the cups and see how long it would take to make the darkest purple, blue, pink, yellow and orange egg you’ve ever seen!

Yellow, pink and white were the only color Peeps I can remember way back then (I am old you know) but still young at heart. But the other day, I walked into a super store and was flabbergasted to see a myriad of Peeps in every color and flavor imaginable.

I saw orange creme, vanilla delight, strawberry, chocolate mousse, raspberry, cherry limeade, cotton candy, fruit punch, limeade, blue raspberry, triple chocolate, vanilla caramel brownie, bubble gum, party cake, sour lemon-lime, sour watermelon, and even sugar free Peeps! My eyes as well as my taste buds were thrown into a sugary, rainbow, marshmallow world!

Did you know that Sam Born founded Just Born, Inc. in 1923 in New York, and this family-owned candy manufacturer then moved its headquarters to Bethlehem, PA. in 1932?

It used to take 27 hours to make the Peeps but Born created a way to automate the cooling process and make them in 6 minutes from start to finish. About 5.5 million Peeps are made each day. And now you can find green trees at Christmas, orange pumpkins at Halloween and red hearts for Valentine’s Day in addition to chicks and bunnies.

If you love Peeps, you’re not alone. Justin Bieber, Miranda Cosgrove and even Joe Jonas love this sugary treat. More than 1.5 billion will be consumed this spring!

So what are you waiting for? Pick up a box or two for Easter and remember how fun they are to eat, and eat and eat. And now if you’ll excuse me those triple chocolate Peeps, oh and those vanilla caramel brownie Peeps are calling my name! And wait! Maybe just one box of the chocolate covered marshmallow ones. . .

Happy Easter Peepsters!

Candy History, Candy News

Welcome to the Future of CandyFavorites.com!

March 31, 2017 by

CandyFavorites.com Homepage

At CandyFavorites.com, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional customer service to everyone who visits our site. A key part of this means having a website that people actually enjoy using. After all, there is nothing more discouraging than visiting a website, only to find that it doesn’t offer you what you’re after.

Especially in this day and age, a smart, well-designed and functional website is a necessity for anyone who is serious about having an impactful web presence. As one of the leading online candy companies in the industry, we realize the importance of providing customers with the technology they need to better order the candy they crave. So, after a year of hard work, rewrites, tweaks, and overhauls, are are excited to announce the launch of our new website!

Redesigned, With You in Mind

So, what goes into creating a successful candy website, you might ask? As it turns out, quite a lot! The new site is fully re-designed, with a streamlined checkout process and pictures that are both bigger and brighter than they were before.  Now you can:

* Securely save credit card information for future purchases.
* Add multiple shipping and billing addresses.
* Easily re-order past purchases.
* Sign up for email notifications when out of stock items become available.
* Add and share your candy Wish List.

All of this means that you should have a more enjoyable, stress-free candy buying experience. But it doesn’t stop there! Because buying candy is only half of the fun, we’ve expanded our educational resources section as well. Now, not only can you purchase the candy you loved as a kid, you can learn a little more about it, too! Talk about a comprehensive experience, right?

We certainly aim to please. And nothing pleases us more than knowing that we’re providing exactly what people are after. So, take a look around! Many of the pictures we’ve included come from our personal archives–giving you an inside look into 90 years of our candy business.

As always, if you have any questions about what you see, do not hesitate to reach out! Our team is more than happy to talk candy with you, and we’ll do our best to see to it that you find exactly what you’re looking for.

 

Candy History, Candy Memories, Retro Candy

Candies from the 80’s That Are Still Going Strong

September 21, 2016 by

It’s that time of year again. The days are getting shorter and cooler, the leaves are beginning to fall, and football season is back! And if there’s one thing that goes hand-in-hand with football season, it’s tailgating.

From a food perspective, some of the greatest tailgating took place in the 80’s, when sloppy joes and pasta salad reigned supreme. But, of course, no sports-watching experience would be complete without a sweet treat to finish things off.

Luckily, the 80’s were full of great candy debuts that we still love today! So while Waldorf Salad and dips in bread bowls may not be quite as much of a hit as they used to be, you can rest assured that the candies from the 80’s have not even begun to lose their charm.

cow-tails-bulk1Classic Cow Tales

Like something that’s all sweet and all fun to eat? Then Cow Tales may be your go-to, blast from the past snack. Created by Goetze’s Candy Company, this perennial favorite was launched in 1984.

The cream center is covered in chewy caramel, so you get just the right amount of creaminess and caramel goodness in each bite.

skittlesTaste the Rainbow with Skittles

But maybe Cow Tales aren’t quite your cup of tea? If that’s the case, then we think that Skittles are another great tailgating snack that we can thank the 80’s for providing! Although technically introduced to the US in 1979, it wasn’t until 1982 that we started producing these sugary treats on our own soil. But as soon as we did, they took off!

They’re the perfect size for throwing in a big bowl and eating by the handful! And since we have a variety of flavors from which you can choose, there’s bound to be at least a few that strike your fancy, and sound like a nice way to finish off that saucy, heavy, and oh-so delicious tailgating meal.

sour-patch-kids-bulkSour Patch Kids for the Win

 If you want something to make your lips pucker, however, Sour Patch Kids are the 80’s treats you’ll want to get ahold of.

Another late 70’s creation, these gems didn’t really catch on until the mid 80’s when they were re-named as a result of the popular Cabbage Patch Kids dolls, whose popularity was sweeping the country during that decade.

These gummy treats are the perfect size for snacking all through the big game, and will leave you reaching back for “just one more,” when overtime comes around. So you’ll want to make sure you have plenty on hand.

The 80’s:  A Decade of Delicious

As it turns out, the treats of the 80’s are alive and well around here! We have countless snacks to make your game day a whole lot sweeter. So if these options didn’t tempt you, feel free to take a look at everything we have to offer!

Candy History, Halloween Candy, Top 10

America’s Favorite Halloween Candies

September 22, 2015 by

Though it may be a bit soon to start decorating, we’re sure there are more than a few of you who have already started planning your Halloween costumes for this year. But are you prepared to impress the little ghouls that come knocking on your door looking for their favorite Halloween Candies??

For most children, the best part about trick-or-treating is coming home and dumping their candy on the floor to evaluate the night’s haul. This ritual often involves dividing the best candy from the worst to decide which to devour and which to trade. In 2013, Chicago-based market research firm, IRi, completed a study to determine America’s favorite Halloween Candies. Based on the results of this study, we’ve created a list of the top 5 treats to keep your trick-or-treaters munching instead of bargaining with one another!

Reese’s
Reeses_Halloween_CandyReese’s Peanut Butter Cups are the most sought-after Halloween candy. Introduced in 1928, this candy is a delicious combination of milk chocolate and smooth and creamy peanut butter, so it’s no wonder kids everywhere love them. Reese’s come in various forms, from mini to pumpkin-shaped, making them the perfect treat to handout to all of your eager trick-or-treaters this year.

 

M&M’s
Halloween_CandyM&M candy was first produced in 1941 and handed out to soldiers during the war. Today, they are a trick-or-treat favorite! Check out our fun-size M&M’s assortment, which includes classic M&M’s Plain and M&M’s Peanut, for a treat that’s a Halloween sure-bet.

 

 

 

 

Snickers
Snickers_Halloween_CandySnickers has been around since 1930 and has been a favorite candy around the world for years. A great treat that will ward off tricks this Halloween season, these Mini Snickers Bars will have children flocking to your front door for Halloween candy.

 

 

 

Hershey’s
Hesheys_ChocolateAnother classic candy, Hershey has been making Hershey’s branded milk chocolate bars since 1900. There isn’t a kid out there that doesn’t know what a Hershey’s chocolate bar is, so satisfy their tastebuds this Halloween with these miniature-sized ones.

 

 


Kit Kat
KitKat_Halloween_CandyA delicious combination of smooth milk chocolate and light crisp wafers, the Kit Kat has been Halloween candy-lovers’ favorite since 1935. These Halloween Kit Kats feature bat wings on the wrapper, but kids won’t know which designs they’ve got until they peel back the wrapper.  

If you’re wondering what to stock your Halloween  bowl with this year, this selection of America’s Favorite Halloween Candies are sure to make for happy trick-or-treaters. If you need a few more ideas, you’re just a few clicks away from finding more seasonal favorites right here!

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

Bit-O-Honey – A Nostalgic Taffy History

January 31, 2014 by

retro-bit-o-honey-candy-wrapperBit-O-History

There’s something great about the sweet stick-to-your teeth Bit-O-Honey that everybody knows and loves. It’s a nostalgic treat that’s been around for what feels like an eternity. But did you know all the chewy details of its past?

Bit-O-Honey first took the stage in 1924. In that year, Schutter-Johnson Company, based in Chicago, Illinois, created a new kind of candy bar. A bar made of almond bits in a honey-flavored taffy; Bit-O-Honey was a far cry from popular chocolate bars at the time.

Made with egg white for extra chew, the six pieces of taffy wrapped in wax paper were a huge success. People were craving that taffy from the minute it was on the market!

bit-o-honey-unwrapped-taffyBit-O-Change

Then in 1969, Schutter-Johnson Company merged with NYC’s Ward Company, the makers of Chunky, Oh Henry! and Raisinets. It was during the time of this merger that a chocolate version of the treat, aptly named, Bit-O-Chocolate was made. However, something about the chocolate variety didn’t catch on, and the product was later discontinued.

Other flavors like Bit-O-Licorice and Bit-O-Peanut Butter were also made, but, once again, failed to find wide approval. Clearly, when it comes to Bit-O-Honey, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!Watch Full Movie Online Streaming Online and Download

Bit-O-Bee

Although the different flavors didn’t work out so well, there was an addition from the late 70’s that did manage to stick around. Can you guess what it is? The Bit-O-Honey bumblebee, of course!

This guy has been adorning Bit-O-Honey wrappers for over 30 years! And, just like the original flavor, he doesn’t seem to be going anywhere.

bit-o-honey-modern-wrapperBit-O-Quality

Nestle bought the Bit-O-Honey brand in 1984, and just last year, Pearson’s Candy Company purchased Bit-O-Honey from Nestle. But while this classic treat has been shuffled around quite a bit in its day, you can bet that the Bit-O-Honey you bite into now is just as good as the original.

Text Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit-O-Honey
http://www.candyblog.net/blog/item/bit_o_honey
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/01/ct-pearson-bitohoney-idUSnPNNY04841+1e0+PRN20130501

Bit-O-Honey

Image Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit-O-Honey
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bit-O-Honey-Bar.jpg
http://tgm123.com/bit-o-honey-singles-10x36x1-7oz/

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, Candy News, Retro Candy

Remember Licorice Snaps?

January 16, 2014 by

Snap From The Past

retro-candy-covered-licorice-snapsBlack licorice. Some people love it. Some people hate it. But no matter where you stand on the licorice spectrum, wouldn’t licorice be better if it was coated in something sweet?  Like candy? We think so, and apparently we’re not alone. You see, the good people at the American Licorice Company are one step ahead of you, and have been for quite a few decades.

An Instant Classic

The American Licorice Company started in 1914 in Chicago, Illinois. Back then, their very first candy was licorice twists. Next came licorice cigarettes and cigars, during the Great Depression. As it turns out, when times were tough, people seemed to need a candy fix even more than when the living was easy. It wasn’t until the 1930s that The Original Snaps Classic Chewy Candy appeared on the main stage.

Snaps, with their licorice center and pastel candy coating, became an instant classic. Originally, they were sold in distinctive red boxes for only 2 cents each. That’s a bargain you won’t see anymore! Even the packaging boasted of the Snaps success, deeming them the “Classic Chewy Candy.” There’s no doubt that these were a fantastic hit.

Original Licorice Snaps PictureLong Live the Snappy Memories

Over the years, Snaps have had a somewhat turbulent history culminating in their recently being discontinued. But they’ve had a long run, developing a cult-like following in the process.

Until very recently, Snaps enjoyed a beloved treat by baby boomers and many more. For those who enjoy the bite of black licorice mixed with a sweet sheen of candy, this has been the treat of choice since its debut in the 30s. It will go down as one of the most iconic late candies of our era. But when you need a candy-coated-licorice fix, former Snaps lovers will have to resort to Licorice Pastilles and Good ‘N Plenty like everyone else.

Sources: Text and Images

  • http://www.americanlicorice.com/about/companyhistory/
  • https://www.candyfavorites.com/blog/licorice-snaps-the-new-formula/
  • https://www.candyfavorites.com/blog/claps-for-licorice-snaps/
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