Dear America, We Invented All the Worst Candy. Sorry. Love, Boston

[Little Star]

While I’m sure the residents of Chocolatetown, USA take attacks on their candy credentials very seriously — this is a city whose downtown features Hershey Kiss streetlights at the intersection of Chocolate and Cocoa Avenue, after all — the notion that Boston even belongs in the conversation as Hershey is laughable. Boston’s only argument in candy superiority is how old their confections are, which is like the inventor of hardtack claiming to be the unsurpassed leader in military rations. In fact, of the Massachusetts-based candies listed in the article, Junior Mints are the only one I wouldn’t immediately throw in the garbage if I got a box while trick-or-treating. To prove it, I decided to rank the sweets from best to worst — or perhaps more accurately, from pretty good to completely inedible.

http://bdcwire.com/list/dear-america-we-invented-all-the-worst-candy-sorry-love-boston/

Growing up with Boston's candy, I liked them all!

[Scootaloo]

1. I really like necco wafers!

Can't eat sugar daddies anymore, but they were great, too

[No Vested Interest]

3. Me too. Almost picked up a pack yesterday, but reason intervened.

All those caramel, chewy things are yesterday's memories, as far as I'm concerned, like swinging on a vine in the woods. - Gone forever.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

2. Um, where are those little 'Boston baked beans' candy things?

Those weren't actually made in Boston?

Gotta say, I pretty much agree with the author. The only times I've gone out of my way to buy any of those were as gag gifts for older people's birthdays.

[Little Star]

8. Wiki says they were a Ferrara Pan candy. Then...

Ferrara Pan merged with Farley's & Sathers Candy Company in 2012.

[Louisiana1976]

4. I like Necco wafers. Haven't found any to buy in a long time.

[No Vested Interest]

9. Necco wafers and other old-time candies (ex. Walnetto's) are available

from the Vermont Country store, along with a lot of items not found elsewhere.
I have bought trouser-stretchers for my slacks - eliminates ironing, as well as night-caps - the kind worn on the head if it tends to get cold overnight. Also Ship'n'Shore blouses, Lanz nightgowns, and many more.

I just love to browse through their catalogue.

[Atman]

11. I love Necco Wafers, and they're still readily available.

At least in Connecticut and Massachusetts. And also in the mini rolls, not just at Halloween, but year 'round.

[Paper Roses]

17. I agree about the VT Country Store. It is pricey though.

I was told by someone that many of the things they sell, are not quite the same as we remember them. Point in case: Lifeboy soap. Used to love that stuff but will not buy it. Was told it was not the same
And -a blast from the past--they have Tangee lipstick. Remember that from Woolworths? When I was a kid, it was about fifteen cents a tube. I believe it is about $15.00 at VCS.
Used to get their catalog but I guess they gave up on me.

It would still be fun to look at but It is on line too.

http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/store/?searchid=7SPDBRND&feedid=googlebrand&adpos=1t1&creative=51862506378&device=c&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=CKau57mSysECFWcF7AodsU0ADA

[No Vested Interest]

19. You're correct - VCS is pricey. You have to be really

desperate for a product, or not realize the price is high.
Yes, I've seen the Tangee lipstick - orangish, if I remember correctly, and old-timey perfumes.
It's a hoot.
Family member really wanted a night cap, so I ordered & got from VCS. Later found out your can goole such Items and there's more than one place that them.

[pipi_k]

21. Hah, yeah...

the old time perfumes.

I love the description for "Evening In Paris" which touts it as one of the most loved fragrances from the 50s or whatever.

My mom had some of that. I was just a kid at the time, but I thought it was absolutely PUTRID.


So the only thing I ever bought from their catalog was a French Butter Bell. I never knew such a thing existed till I saw it in the catalog. Such a simple concept, but brilliant!

I do enjoy looking through the catalog when one comes, just for the memories





PS...for anyone who doesn't know what a butter bell is...

http://www.butterbell.com/how-to-use-butter-bell-crock/

[truedelphi]

5. Was Boston responsible for "Chuckles"

The little wrapper with five different colored jelllies, Black, Yellow, Red, Green and Orange.
No on in Calif. seems to have ever heard of them, but I loved those as a kid.

Of course, some people in Calif never ever have heard of taking girls to watch the submarine races, at the local lake... (Whether that is because there are not all that many lakes, or because guys here were more honest w/ girlfriends, I guess I won't ever know.)

[Little Star]

7. I think Chuckles was originally a Hershey's candy

& in 2002 the Farley & Sathers company acquired the Chuckles brand from Hershey, so says Wiki.

[Paper Roses]

6. Had to laugh. Sugar Daddy's and Necco Wafers. Yuck.

I'm from the Boston area and find that Necco wafers, available here, feel like chalk in my mouth. Sugar Daddy's--instant filling removers. Love the taste but hate the dentist bill. Charleston Chew, same thing.
Junior mints are another story. Love them.

[TexasProgresive]

13. Pom Poms were my favorite at the movies-Milk Duds were 2nd best

[freshwest]

14. They call elk droppings Milk Duds up here. Just sayin'. I do miss Texas peanut brittle.

[TexasProgresive]

16. Milk Duds look just like fresh goat droppings.

A lady I work with told this story on herself. She was walking in Alaska with her boyfriend and was picking up, what she thought were pecans. He said, "Why are you doing that?" She said, "Look at all these pecans, I'll make a pie." Laughing he asked, "What tree did they fall from?", as there wasn't a tree in sight, "That's moose shit."

[valerief]

10. I LOVED Necco Wafers and Sugar Daddies when I was a kid. nt

[Little Star]

12. I could make a Sugar Daddy last all day when I was a kid. lol

[jmowreader]

15. My dad LOVES Sugar Daddies

When he and Mom lived on the side of a hill they got about three trick-or-treaters a year. Since he was going to have to eat anything they didn't give out, he got Sugar Daddies.

Now they live in a subdivision with two brazillion kids living it in.

[MannyGoldstein]

18. I'm guessing that Fig Newtons don't count?

Maybe Marshmallow Fluff can save us?

[merrily]

20. When it comes to cookies, Toll House beat Fig Newtons.

Ask any kid if he or she would rather have chocolate chips or a dried fig. Just sayin'

Marshmallow fluff seems to me like a much softer version of Turkish taffy, but, okay, I'll give it to a Somerville native. I don't think a guy from Pennsy actually invented Turkish taffy anyway. I think his Daddy brought it (or the concept) with him from Turkey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Taffy

I'm guessing when travel to other countries was a lot more rare than it is now, especially non-European countries, travelers "invented" a lot of stuff that had been around for centuries. Marco Polo and ancient Chinese noodles v. relatively new "Italian" pasta is but one example of the "inventive" tourist. I've always suspected that Greeks "invented" a lot of the things with which they are credited only after visiting Egypt. As they say, the victors wrote history.