Sweet Retro Candy from a Simpler Time
The simpler time of the 1950's, it's sweet nostalgia still seems to beckon us. An idyllic time when life seemed much less complicated. The Great Depression was becoming a faint memory, and the economy seemed to be on the upswing. Poodle skirts and penny loafers were in vogue, and Howdy Doody was playing on television sets, in pastel coloured living rooms across the neighbourhood. Milk was delivered right to your door, and weekends at the cinema's afternoon matinees were a popular pastime. Rock n' Roll was the sound of Saturday nights. "Crazy" new music as far as parents were concerned, and every doe-eyed, wholesome teenage girl was in love with Elvis Presley. The world had a new rhythm and some sweet new candy!
Here are our Top 10 Candies from the 1950's...
#1. Pixy Stix Candy
A unique and flavoursome powdered, retro candy inside of a straw-like shape. Invented in 1952, in St.Lois, Missouri. It was originally made by Sunline Incorporated. This old fashioned candy started out as a mix for drinks and went by the name of Frutola. When the maker of "Frutola" discovered that people were just eating the powder instead of mixing it with water, they decided to market this yummy powder as a candy. The Pixy Stix retro candy gives meaning to the term "Sugar Rush", especially the ones that are almost two feet long! Pixy Stix Candy is now made by Ferrara Candy, but will forever be known in most of our minds as a favourite Willy Wonka Candy!
#2. Marshmallow Peeps
This brightly coloured, luscious Marshmallow Peeps are most often associated with Easter, but let's face it, Peeps retro candy with all their delicious and sweet squishiness is "always in season". These retro candies came along in 1953 and are made by Just Born. Believe it or not, these cute little marshmallow chicks were once made by hand until Just Born started to mass produce them. Every year Peep candies adorn Easter tables and Easter baskets, the spring season is, of course when they are most abundant. But Peeps are now available all year round! This started in 2014, when customers decided once a year just was just not enough. Coming in a variety of different shapes and also colours, we continue to indulge in their sweet, airy appeal!
#3.Chupa Chups Lollipops
This delicious retro lollipop was founded in 1958. Chupa Chups Lollipops are sold in over 150 countries around the world. It's one of the most well-known candies of our time. This brand was started by Enric Bernat of Spain until Italian- Dutch corporation Perfetti Van Melle took it over. If you're wondering why these lollipops are called Chupa Chups, it's the Spanish word which means "to suck". The Chupa Chups logo was designed by the famed artist, Salvador Dali in 1969. These retro lollipops are a worldwide phenomenon. Chupa Chups Lollipops are that delicious!
#4. Satellite Wafers
Satellite Wafers or as some call them Flying Saucers, came out in the early part of the 1950's. This retro candy is truly unique in its form. Made to resemble a "flying saucer" the outside is made of a paper-like wafer confection. The inside is filled with powdered sugar and colourful, small candy beads. Most people attest that the outside really has no flavour and could be compared to cardboard. It's the inside that's all the appealing candy sensation with the Satellite Wafer retro candy. There is a lack of history about these UFO-like shaped candies. Why they were made, and just what inspired someone to create them remains as mysterious as UFO. Satellite Wafers are most often found in Belgium where they're made, but there are other companies who produce them now such as Gerrits and Astra Sweets. A fun and interesting retro candy that is sweetly baffling!
#5.Hot Tamales Candy
These spicy and sweet retro candies came out in 1950. The Hot Tamales Candy is a red, oblong-shaped candy with a chewy texture. These spicy morsels pack a punch of flavour with the intense taste of aromatic cinnamon. Hot Tamales are 68 years old but have never lost their "hot" appeal. In 1999, Hot Tamales ranked as the number one selling candy in America! There is also a new and even spicier version of Hot Tamales candies available. In 2011, Just Born, the makers of Hot Tamales came out with the "Hot Tamales Three Alarm" candies. Yes, they are definitely more fierce tasting than the originals! Hot Tamales Candies and are one of the most popular spicy candies around. If you like it "hot" you don't want to miss out on these retro candies!
#6.Mamba Fruit Chews
Delicious, fruity and juicy tasting! Mamba Fruit Chews came out in 1953. These chewy, taffy-like candies are made in Germany by August Storck KG. The original Mamba Fruit Chews are made in a selection of four fruity flavours, Orange, Lemon, Raspberry and Strawberry. Mamba Fruit Chews released some other flavours as well. In 2007 they came out with the Mamba Sour Fruit Chew, and in 2017 they released the Mamba Tropics Candy. The Mamba Fruit Chews are a retro candy that is a chewy bite of the 1950's!
#7.Lucky Elephant Pink Candy Popcorn
Feel'in lucky? I bet you are if you've ever eaten this retro candy! This delicious, pink, candied Popcorn is a retro Canadian Candy, that got its start in the early 1950's. Delightful and pink, Lucky Elephant Pink Candy Popcorn has been adored for generations. Every Canadian kid has eaten it or pleaded for it at concession stands, carnivals and fairs. The Lucky Elephant Pink Candy Popcorn is made by the Poppa Corn Corporation of Toronto Ontario. This nostalgic, retro popcorn is filled with fun and flair and pretty, sweet pink memories!
#8. Bonomo Turkish Taffy
This retro candy first came out in 1950, and by the 1960's it had become a top-selling candy! Bonomo Turkish Taffy is a sweet taste of days gone by. However you eat it, freeze it, smack it, crack it, it's always a chewy and pleasurable taffy. Bonomo Turkish Taffy before it was made in individual bar size, was originally sold in large sheets to Woolworth stores which would be broken into bite-size pieces for the customers. When the bars were finally released they sold for five cents. This retro Taffy is considered a long lasting treat. It does take some time to eat a bar, but Bonomo Turkish Taffy is worth savouring. In 1989 Bonomo decided to discontinue their Taffy, this caused such upset for the fans. In 2003, a website was set up to take advanced orders, as Bonomo announced they would be re-releasing their delicious Taffy again. In 2010, we could once again bite into this exquisite, luscious Taffy. Bonomo Turkish taffy comes in four flavours, Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate and Banana.
#9. Candy Necklaces
These sweet retro candies came out in 1958. A novel and fun candy that has adorned little girls for generations. Candy Necklaces come on a stretchy, elastic string so you don't have to worry about them snapping as you stretch them to reach your mouth. They were always a very popular Halloween Candy and always a common candy at girls birthday parties. The candy on Candy Necklaces are bright, pastel colours and come in a selection of fruity flavours. Must have been a fashionista who invented them, but unfortunately, this retro candy seems to elude all the candy experts. Candy Necklaces are sure to bring back that sweet charm of the 1950's. For the well dressed and sweet candy lover in you, Candy Necklaces are a must-have accessory!
#10. Dum-Dum Pops
These retro lollipops have been one of America's favourite lollipops since 1953. Dum-Dum Pops were given their name because the maker thought that "Dum-Dum" would be an easy word for children to say. Dum-Dum Pops were first made by the Akron Candy Company of Ohio before being purchased by the Spangler Candy Company. The original flavours of Dum-Dum Pops were Lemon, Lime, Orange, Coconut-Pineapple, Cherry, Grape and Butterscotch. In the mid-1950's Dum-Dum Pops came out with Rootbeer flavour and Chocolate. These two flavours really put these retro lollipops on the map! Every so often Dum-Dum Pops come in a mystery flavour which always intrigues fans of Dum-Dums! Two Million pounds of these lollipops were made in their first year of production. They remain a popular lollipop that many banks and other businesses give away. Dum-Dum Pops are an on the go tasty lollipop with all the sweet taste of yesteryear!
A Sweet Impression with Retro Candies
Among all of the bouffant and pompadour hairstyles, fluffy pink skirts and stiff starched shirts, we were about to see significant changes in the next few decades, but the 1950's will always leave a sweet impression on us with all of its enduring candy!