Candy is one of the great American past times – everyone loves it and can’t get enough. Did you ever wonder where you favorites got their names or how interesting their history can be? A quick look into the fascinating world of sugar will give you some insight as well as a few tidbits to wow your friends with.
Snickers
Made by the Mars company in the 1930, this classic bar filled with caramel, nougat and peanuts was named after a very interesting source. A Mars family horse was named Snickers, so when it came time to give their new candy bar a name, they looked no further than their favorite stallion. Fun fact, in the UK the Snickers candy bar was named Marathon so it didn’t rhyme with ‘knickers’ – a name for underwear in their country.
Swedish Fish
Who doesn’t love the iconic gummy fish shaped confection? It was originally sold by a Swedish company named Malaco. They were shaped like fish as a tribute to Sweden’s vast fishing industry. When they came to America in the 1950’s, it only seemed natural that they would be called Swedish Fish. Very literal, but very memorable. They have been seen in their classic red color as well as yellow and green. In Sweden there are licorice flavored ones that are colored black still sold by the Malaco company.
Sour Patch Kids
Sour then sweet is what Sour Patch Kids are known for. These are made by the same company as Swedish Fish and the recipe is identical except for the sour sugar that they are coated in at the end. They were originally called Mars Men, but changed to Sour Patch Kids during the Cabbage Patch Kid craze of the 1980’s. The popularity of the famous 80’s doll made the candy company head in a completely different marketing direction.
Milk Duds
These caramel balls covered in chocolate are a favorite of many. Originally created in the 1920’s the name came easy during manufacturing. The ‘milk’ is an homage to the milk chocolate coating, but it’s the second half of the name that is interesting. It was so impossible to create a perfect round ball shape, the makers referred to them as ‘duds’ and the name stuck.
Mr. Goodbar
Imagine the name of your favorite candy was a complete misunderstanding. Milton Hershey, from the famous Hershey company once overheard someone say “that’s a good bar” and thought they said “Mr. Goodbar.” He loved the idea of the name so much that it became the name as we know it today. During the Great Depression candy and chocolate sales dropped, so Hershey decided to market the Mr. Goodbar as a protein packed snack and relied heavily on how many peanuts the bar contained.
Facts about your favorite candies and treats are fun to research and learn more about. It’s probably the most interesting and yummy history lesson out there. So next time you pick up a candy bar, you might have to look into its history and how it became the confection you get to enjoy today.