by Laurnie Wilson
Are You A Smartie Pants?
Everyone wants to be thought of as a smartie. Thereโs something so satisfying about knowing your stuff, and even more satisfying when you can show everyone else that you know your stuff, too. All those cocktail parties are way more fun when you can actually contribute to the conversation, right? But are you really a smartie pants when it comes to the history ofย Smartiesย wafer candies? Read on to find out more.
A Family of Smarties
Hereโs the first little fact for you: Smarties have been owned and operated by the same family since all the way back in 1949. Thatโs right, folks. The candy that youโve shared with your family for over 60 years has been made by the same family for just as long! Talk about a family affair!
Way back in the day, Edward โEddieโ Dee immigrated from England to New Jersey to found a company that was, once again, based around a candy that wouldnโt melt in the heat. I kid you not, Mother Nature has prompted some of the best sweets in candy history!
The Ce De Candy Inc. factory opened in August of 1949 in Bloomfield, New Jersey. The company retained that name for 62 years, until 2011 when they changed it to Smarties Candy Company. While that name seems to be more reflective of their huge success, itโs pretty amazing that it took so long for the company name to change, donโt you think?
A Smartie Revolution
Over the years, Smarties took off all over North America, with an additional factory opening in Newmarket, Ontario. The Canadian Smarties are imported to the U.S. whenever demand is too high for the New Jersey factory to handle on its own. So around Halloween, you may be eating some international Smarties and not even know it!
ย Another fun fact for you: in Canada, Smarties are sold as โRocketsโ due to the existence of a sugar-coated chocolate candy, of European origin, by the same name. So if you ever cross our northern border, donโt be surprised if โSmartiesโ arenโt what you expect them to be! And then promptly seek out Rockets instead.
Smarties for All
These days, Smarties are manufactured in Union, New Jersey and Newmarket, Ontario. They come in six assorted colors and flavorsยญยญโwhite (orange-cream), yellow (pineapple), pink (cherry), green (strawberry- who knew?!?), purple (grape), and orange (orange). Pus, theyโre made 24 hours a day, so thereโs no reason for you to miss out on this candy favorite.
Sources:
https://www.smarties.com/history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smarties_(wafer_candy)
https://www.smarties.com/product/smarties/
ย Image Sources:
https://www.smarties.com/history/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smarties_(wafer_candy)
https://www.smarties.com/product/smarties/
