Nips Hard Candy is Back!

March 6, 2023 by Hannah Brelsford

We were thrilled that Brachs revitalized **Nips Hard Candy** - a classic since 1961

Pearson’s Nips have been a beloved part of the American candy scene for decades; when Brach's Candy, a company, first introduced them, we have always had a "sweet" spot for them, if only because we were one of their first wholesale candy customers.

These individually wrapped caramel candies are available in various flavors, including Butter Rum, Coffee, and Caramel. Sadly, Chocolate Parfait and Peanut Butter were discontinued.

These individually wrapped caramel-based candies are known for their smooth, rich caramel texture and satisfying melt-in-your-mouth quality.

While the candy has changed hands over the years, its nostalgic charm and enduring flavors bring joy to past and hopefully future generations of sweet tooths.

We are currently offering Butter Rum, Caramel, and Coffee flavors. This classic candy has been around since the 60s, 1961, and was invented by Barney Pearson.

Pearson started a company with candies that he made all by hand; as with many family businesses, Barney's sons, Ed and Daniel Pearson, also worked at the Pearson Candy Company and decided to add new candies to the company's lineup, one of which was Nips Hard Candy.

With the help of food chemist Claude Barnett, Daniel Pearson created Nips. They were invented based on the idea of the break that treats can provide in the middle of the work day, similar to Kit Kat's slogan, "Have a Break. Have a Kit Kat."

*Brach's Coffee Nips was the first flavor. Coffee breaks inspired the creation of a candy that can be enjoyed during work.*

People often take a coffee break in the middle of the day, but some only sometimes have time to sit down and drink a cup of Coffee.

Nips, specifically coffee-flavored ones, provide a little break to people's days even when they can't find time, and it is no ironic that coffee was the first flavor and remains our most requested!

The Pearson Candy Company initially didn't do any tests on the candies, so they were all made in small batches. Finally, however, they were popular enough to justify their production costs. Nips have gone over many transfers in ownership.

For example, in 1968, the Pearson Candy Company was sold to the W.R. Grace Company, then to Nabisco in 1982. Nestle then bought Nips in 1989. Don't worry, we know this is a lot to absorb, and there won't be a quiz.

*If you have a sweet memory of this fabled hard candy with a chewy center, please share it below.*

The brand is now owned by the Ferrara Candy Company, which also owns Brach's, which produces Nips.

Talk about a brand going full circle in the candy orbit!

As the oldest Brach's candy distributor in the nation, we have always had a soft spot for Nips, and we are thrilled to see Ferrara adding, rather than subtracting, something to its world-class lineup of sweets!

Like us, the Ferrara Candy Company values classic candies. They are well known for producing candies that no longer exist, and we are committed to making these accessible to candy lovers, young and old.

Nips Hard Candy is a classic that has been providing customers with a sweet little break in their days since the 60s.