NECCO Wafers are a sweet blast from the past

NECCO Wafers: A Sweet Blast from the Past

Drift back in time with NECCO Wafers

NECCO Wafers are a Sweet Blast from the Past

 

One roll of this candy and you're sweetly transported down memory lane.  NECCO Wafer have been enjoyed for generations. With it's sweet and spicy flavours and subtle crunch, this disc like candy is nothing short of delicious. NECCO Wafers are a classic old fashioned candy. We've been crunching them since 1847!
The most popular NECCO Wafers are the Original. The original flavours include Orange, Lemon, Lime, Clove, Chocolate, Cinnamon, Licorice and Wintergreen. And there's more.
NECCO Wafers are an Old Fashioned Candy
NECCO Wafers have expanded their flavour line over the years. NECCO Chocolate Wafers contain only the chocolate flavoured wafers and are my favourite!  NECCO Tropical Wafers include coconut, passion fruit, strawberry, lime, banana, and mango. Sour NECCO Wafers are a sour twist on this classic candy and the flavours include sour apple, watermelon, wild berry, grape, lemon, extreme tangerine, and blue raspberry.

This iconic American candy was invented in 1847

Oliver Chase Inventor of NECCO Wafers
NECCO Wafers were invented by an English immigrant named Oliver Chase. He not only thought of this delightful candy, but he invented the machine that makes them as well. In 1901 Oliver Chase and company decided to merge with two other companies. Together they incorporated The New England Confectionery Company. Which in case you hadn't noticed is where the NECCO comes from.
These classic candies used to be referred to as "Hub Wafers". The name may have changed but not Oliver's original recipe. By 1912, these old fashioned candies were advertised and renamed as what we know and love today, NECCO Wafers.
The New England Confectionery Company also produces some other unforgettable retro candies such as, Mary Jane Candy, Clark Bar, Clark Bites, Candy Buttons, Squirrel Nut Zippers, Sky Bars, Slap Stix, Mighty Malts, Bridge Mix, and Sweethearts. That's quite an impressive and yummy list of old fashioned candy!

NECCO Wafers were part of the war effort

Here's an interesting fact: during World War two, the United States Government ordered the New England Confectionery Company to produce their famous NECCO Wafers for the American soldiers overseas. They were  also given to Canadian soldiers. During this time the company's sales increased dramatically, as many Americans thought it was very patriotic and supportive to eat the same candy as the soldiers. Many of the soldiers who enjoyed the NECCO Wafers as part of their rations later became huge fans of the candy. These soldiers turned out to be the most faithful customers that this candy had ever seen.

NECCO Wafers fans loved the original recipe 

NECCO wafers continued to be a very well loved candy throughout the later years of the 1900's. These candies just seem to be synonymous with the good old days.  For decades they were were enjoyed, without a stir.
However in 2009, the NECCO company decided to change the winning formula. They decided that their candy needed a modern makeover. The original recipe of the notorious NECCO Wafers was no longer. This caused outrage among the fans, and left them frantically craving their beloved original wafers. The sales plummeted during this time. But in 2011, the company decided to give their fans what they really wanted and reverted back to the original recipe. This must have been sweet relief for all the NECCO Wafer candy lovers!

Build a house with this old fashioned candy

NECCO Wafer Gingerbread House
These sweet wafers are not just for keeping in your pocket either. They are also a very popular embellishment for cupcakes, cakes and cookies. They are often used to sweetly adorn the top of these baked goods. This retro candy is most popular for the roof top of a gingerbread house. Usually the chocolate ones are used and are perfect for overlapping as a gingerbread rooftop.Just make sure you have extra for the hungry helpers, or yourself!

Spangler Candy Buys NECCO

Spangler Candy buys New England Confectionery Company
From the genius of Oliver Chase, this old fashioned candy has certainly had it's success over the years, 171 years to be exact! However as of late the company had admitted to struggling to survive and had been trying to sell the company. But take heart all you NECCO Wafer lovers the company has been purchased and you will not have to crazily chase down this retro candy. The new owners of the New England Candy Company is an Ohio based company called The Spangler Candy Company. They had the winning bid of $18.83 million. The tradition of this old fashioned candy will happily continue!

NECCO Wafers bring back sweet memories

This iconic candy is so much more than just candy. They are filled with memories and tradition. There's a reason they've been loved for generations...
The first time I ever had a NECCO Wafer I was probably about 6 or 7 years old. I had just lost another tooth. so as any hopeful child would do I put my tooth under my pillow and eagerly awaited  for the tooth fairy's surprise arrival. I obviously fell asleep, but when I woke up I found 4 quarters under my pillow and a roll of my new favorite candy. The tooth fairy made getting a roll of this old fashioned candy a sweet tradition.  Every time I felt a loose tooth, I just knew that my favorite candy would soon be arriving. Years later, and my Mother still buys me rolls of NECCO Wafers. We laugh together and remember the good old days. As soon as I start to unwrap my roll of NECCO Wafers, I feel like a kid again.

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