Halloween is a time for dressing-up, listening to scary ghost stories, and trick-or-treating, but we all know the best part about Halloween is the candy.

     Your favorite treat might be a Snickers bar or a Kit Kat, but what would your parents say if you asked them what their favorite candy was growing up? 

     Mr. Stark said “My favorite candy for Halloween was and always will be those little 2 packs of Starburst or fun size Butterfingers! One candy I remember was Pixy Stix! I’m not sure if those are still around. I also remember Caramel Apple Pops and Gobstoppers were a couple of my favorites.”

     Mrs. Reif said, “My favorite candy is Abba Zabba. I can only find it at Chevron’s gas stations now.”

     “When I was growing up, I remember that Chum Gum was the best bubble gum for blowing bubbles. I also remember chocolate drops in a tube called Flicks,” said Mrs. Landinguin.

    Katie Pollack ‘22 said “I think candy these days are boring because there are no candies that stick out, everyone’s favorite candies are usually Hershey’s, Skittles, or Twix. There are no unique candies anymore.” 

    So, what happened to all of those candies that we have never seen or heard of? 

    For one, our tastes have changed–candy is actually getting sweeter. Changes have also been made because of safety concerns–don’t expect to see Astro Pops or candy cigarettes to make a comeback anytime soon. Changes also occurred because of the cost of doing business.

     According to market place.org, candy companies stick with the candies they know will sell–that means M&Ms, Hershey Bars, and Snickers bars. Companies, who must watch their bottom lines, can’t afford to take risks on new candies or keeping the old ones that just don’t sell anymore. 

    The first candies were invented in the 18th century and consisted of crystallized sugar. Because sugar was valuable back then, only the wealthy were seen with candy. However, the Industrial Revolution drastically advanced the production of sugar and by the 1830s, the price of candy dropped and children became the its target market. 

     During war, soldiers would be given chocolate as a way to boost morale and energy. M&M’S, invented in 1941, were given to American soldiers in World War II. 

     Three Musketeers bars were originally sold containing three different flavors: one chocolate-flavored piece, one vanilla, and one strawberry. However, this was short-lived because in World War II, the strawberry vanilla nougat became too expensive and was dropped from the recipe, shaping the Musketeers bar we know and love today. 

     The first Hershey bar, created by Milton Hershey, was sold for a nickel. The packaging was glossy white paper and featured gold text as well as an image of a cow and a cherub in a cacao bean holding a chocolate bar. 

     Vintage candy shops will take you back in time with packages of the most popular candy in every decade. A package from the 70s includes candies such as bottle caps, zotz, and gobstoppers. One from the 80s includes Big League Chew, Wacky Wafers, and Tart n Tinys. To purchase these visit this link: https://vintagecandyco.com