Snap From The Past
Black 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.
Long 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.
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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/
33 Comments
Why have the Original Licorice Snaps been discontinued? They have always been my favorite and I have searched the internet to to avail for them.
American Licorice Company forced them out of favor and out of stock, in my opinion. They switched from the tasty licorice granules to nasty licorice extract. They received several complaints from what I saw, but for whatever reason refused to go back to their original recipe.
Growing up, I loved Snaps, the only non-extract licorice around. This is the closest I’ve found. And unlike ALC, this company has excellent customer service!
https://nuts.com/chocolatessweets/licorice/candy-coated/snaps.html
They are no where to be found in Utah. And I am in Florida..No where here…Am traveling up to Wisconsin..Maybe they will have some…Or can I get them on line..Have been eating them since I was a kid 30 plus years..Let me know when available again
Hard to say but the good news is that they can be ordered on CandyFavorites.com and shipped directly to your door!
I knew 2 years ago when formula was changed for some reason or other, that they would soon be forced to discontinue.
You guys screwed up a great candy treat by your mismanagement or greed!
I was told at a candy store in Chicago they had lead in them. Could that be true? I too searched everywhere. The new fake ones are awful.
Sadly, they would be very old as Snaps haven’t been made for several years….
WE MISS THE ORIGINAL SNAPS!!!!
Stop being so cheap and go back to making the original licorice snap there are millions of people that will thank you.
Did you see that they made a very limited batch of the Original Recipe Licorice Snaps? And the best part is you can buy them from CandyFavorites.com! (Hurry, because our supply is almost out!)
My whole family lives Snaps.I used to walk to confectionery on the corner at grammars house in St Louis .Boxes were 3 cent s
I remember stopping at the store on the way home from school to buy red and white boxes of SNAPS for 2 cents a box! To me, they tasted like soap, but I loved them! I miss them and went to a candy store today looking to see of them carried them! Sad!😭
For the love of God please bring back licorice snaps!!!🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Original Snaps are due back on CandyFavorites.com and are in very short supply! Here is a link to the product – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
I live in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota. We have a candy store downtown Saint Paul called Candyland. For many years I would go there to buy my Snaps. They were always so fresh and so glad! I loved watching them scoop them out of the big glass jar into a bag for me. I do not recall liking them as a kid. But in my adult life I have always craved them! So disappointed at their discounts to New so disappointed at their discontinuation! Licorice Nips have also been discontinued. I love candy and these were two of my most favorite! I love candy and these were two of my most favorite! I guess I will just have to keep eating candy………and find some more favorites!
Original Snaps are due back on CandyFavorites.com and are in very short supply! Here is a link to the product – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
I to miss snaps! Anybody have luck finding original flavor snaps please post. New fake ones don’t taste anything like original.
How about bringing them back for Halloween. ..
Original Snaps are due back on CandyFavorites.com and are in very short supply! Here is a link to the product – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
I don’t understand, of all the nasty candies on the market, and they just had to get rid of the original Snaps. All that licorice that is out there, what a shame.
We were lucky to get a small inventory and there is still a few bags left. They are the original formula and truly delicious!
Original Snaps are due back on CandyFavorites.com and are in very short supply! Here is a link to the product – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
I have only 1 bag left and am freaking out. If so many people love them what is the problem with making them?
They were discontinued because they had to high of a lead content in the formula. Black licorice took a hit. They came up with new formula that was unpopular. Hollow tubes I think they were called. If they are producing again I dont understand why they are so expensive and hard to find. Something isn’t right.
Do you have any original snaps left you can sell me?
Original Snaps are due back on CandyFavorites.com and are in very short supply! Here is a link to the product – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
Yes I’m also a lover of the orig Snaps.What’s with the factory?-you say ‘lead’ was in them?why can’t you just remove it in the recipe? Good & Plenty’s are not the same/in fact, don’t like them at all…never will. Thank you
Original Snaps are due back on CandyFavorites.com and are in very short supply! Here is a link to the product – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
Bring back original snaps!! My whole family loves them too. I’m also from Minneapolis Minnesota and remember buying the cute little red boxes as a treat. So yummy and I love the unique tasty coating on outside. It’s addicting!
Retro candy is a big comeback now and these these are an obvious hit and surely missed by thousands.
I’d doubt lead is in the recipe per se, but present in a feedstock. Licorice root maybe?
I keep getting told to try licorice hollows. They are not the same the candy coating is way to thick. I liked the thin licorice with the powder coating.
Original Snaps will be available on CandyFavorites.com this week but are in very short supply! Here’s a link – https://www.candyfavorites.com/nsearch/?q=snaps
I have looked high and low for snaps that I used to enjoy as a child for two cents a package, and have not been able to find anything as enjoyable as the old snaps. I have found a few licorice items from Holland, which are fair but overly chewy. At the time I prefer licorice hollow, which are very similar to the old snaps, but having a little heavier candy coating on them than I prefer, but are readily available at my Cal Ranch store.
Sadly, we are totally sold out of Snaps and not sure when , or if, we will be getting them again. Stay tuned and check back on CandyFavorites.com for more details.