Back in Time Today
Vintage candies often evoke nostalgia, but not all are fondly remembered. Some sweets from the past are better left forgotten due to their questionable flavors, odd textures, or the strange concepts behind them. This list explores ten vintage candies that have faded away without tears, and ten discontinued treats that should remain in the annals of candy history—a testament to how not all sugary creations stand the test of time.
1. Candy Cigarettes
Candy cigarettes once captured the imagination of children, offering a hint of adulthood’s rebellious allure. However, their chalky texture and odd sweetness quickly lost appeal. The idea of promoting ‘smoking’ to kids didn’t age well. These confections, with their brittle texture and minimal flavor, rightfully faded into obscurity. Parents and health advocates alike raised concerns, leading to their decline. Though some collectors find them intriguing today, candy cigarettes are remembered more for controversy than taste.
2. Wax Bottles (Nik-L-Nips)
The concept of sipping syrup from wax bottles seemed more novel than delightful. The candy consisted of vibrant, tiny bottles that required a gentle bite to access the sugary liquid inside. Despite the fun appearance, the wax was often more of a chore than a treat, leaving an unsatisfying residue. Many found the syrup too sweet, while the wax was discarded after one use. Though creative, Nik-L-Nips were more gimmick than gastronomy, fading from favor over time.
3. Circus Peanuts
Circus Peanuts, with their bright orange hue and odd banana flavor, confounded the taste buds. Despite resembling peanuts, these marshmallow treats offered a flavor and texture that was anything but nutty. The spongy consistency and cloying sweetness deterred many. Initially, a novelty in the candy aisle, they became infamous for their peculiar taste combination. Over time, the market shifted towards more pleasing marshmallow treats, leaving Circus Peanuts as a peculiar relic of candy history.
4. Necco Wafers
Necco Wafers, with their hard and chalky texture, came in an array of flavors—from sweet to downright strange, including clove and licorice. Their texture resembled flavored chalk, often crumbling in the mouth. Although they boasted a long history, their flavors didn’t resonate with evolving palates. As candy technology progressed, the allure of such simple confections waned. Despite attempts to revive them, Necco Wafers remain a nostalgic memory for some, and a puzzling artifact for others.
5. Bit-O-Honey
Bit-O-Honey combined honey-flavored taffy with almond bits, creating a chewy challenge for candy lovers. The tough texture was notorious for sticking to teeth, often requiring more effort than enjoyment. While the honey and almond combo appealed to some, the arduous chew didn’t make them a favorite. As softer, more convenient candy options became available, Bit-O-Honey struggled to maintain its place in the candy world, ultimately relegating it to the realm of rarely missed snacks.
6. Candy Buttons on Paper
Candy Buttons were a colorful delight, yet consuming them was a test of patience. Attached to a strip of paper, these tiny candies required careful peeling, often resulting in more paper than candy. The flavors were basic, sugary, and lacked complexity. As a childhood novelty, they brought a brief joy, but the frustration of accidentally consuming paper overshadowed their sweetness. Over time, the appeal of hassle-free candy grew, leaving Candy Buttons as a fond yet flawed memory.
7. Black Licorice Jelly Beans
Black licorice jelly beans often ended up as the last picked from any assortment. Their strong, anise flavor was divisive, appealing to a select few. While licorice has its enthusiasts, in jelly bean form, it struggled to win over the masses. Known as the ‘leftovers’ in candy bowls, these beans were more often traded or tossed aside. As tastes shifted to sweeter, fruitier profiles, black licorice jelly beans quietly took a backseat, cherished mainly by licorice purists.
8. Root Beer Barrels
Root Beer Barrels promised a soda experience in candy form, yet delivered a medicinal flavor that lingered too long. Their hard candy shell took ages to dissolve, often testing the patience of those seeking a quick sugar hit. While root beer as a beverage thrived, its candy counterpart struggled to replicate the same refreshing enjoyment. Over time, as candy options became more varied and exciting, Root Beer Barrels found fewer fans, becoming a niche choice for enthusiasts.
9. Boston Baked Beans
Boston Baked Beans, a candy-coated peanut snack, mirrored its savory namesake only in appearance. The sugary shell often overshadowed the nut inside, leaving a confusing blend of flavors. Despite their classic look, the candy failed to capture the delightful crunch and taste expected from peanut-based treats. As peanut confections evolved, offering richer and more satisfying experiences, Boston Baked Beans slowly faded from the candy landscape, remembered more for their clever name than their taste.
10. Peanut Butter Kisses (Not the Good Kind)
Peanut Butter Kisses, wrapped in orange and black wax paper, were infamous for their sticky nature. Unlike the creamy delight of well-known peanut butter candies, these offered a more stubborn, challenging chew. The flavor, while peanut buttery, lacked the richness one might hope for. Often left in Halloween bags long after other treats were gone, they were seen as the candy of last resort. Over time, superior peanut butter confections overshadowed these, rendering them a relic of candy past.
1. Reggie! Bar (1980s)
The Reggie! Bar, named after baseball star Reggie Jackson, was a peanut-caramel-nougat concoction that divided fans. While the combination sounded appealing, the execution left much to be desired. The mix often felt unbalanced, with the nougat overshadowing other flavors. As a tribute to Jackson, it held novelty value, but taste-wise, it failed to hit a home run. Over time, as confectionery standards rose, the Reggie! Bar was benched, remembered more for its ambitious concept than its flavor.
2. PB Max (1990s)
PB Max aimed to capture the hearts of peanut butter lovers but fell short with its dry texture. The thick peanut butter center was encased in a cookie-like shell, creating a dense bite. While the chocolate coating added sweetness, it couldn’t mask the dryness within. Initially popular for its bold peanut butter presence, it soon faced stiff competition from smoother, more indulgent alternatives. PB Max’s journey was short-lived, leaving behind a legacy of unmet potential in peanut butter treats.
3. Seven Up Bars (1970s)
Seven Up Bars were a curious creation, combining citrus flavors with chocolate. The fusion, while innovative, confused palates expecting a harmonious blend. Instead, the chocolate overshadowed the citrus notes, leaving an imbalance that puzzled taste testers. Despite its intriguing name, the candy didn’t capture the refreshing zest one might associate with citrus treats. As candy trends favored more straightforward, complementary flavors, Seven Up Bars quietly exited the confectionery stage, retaining a niche nostalgia.
4. Veggie-Go’s (2000s)
Veggie-Go’s positioned themselves as a healthy alternative, combining fruits and vegetables into gummy strips. However, the reality was a flavor profile more akin to sweetened cardboard. While the nutritional angle was appealing, the taste left much to be desired. The texture was often inconsistent, with a chew that didn’t satisfy those craving a traditional gummy experience. Despite their well-meaning concept, Veggie-Go’s struggled to capture candy lovers, ultimately serving as a lesson in balance between health and enjoyment.
5. Fizzies (Drink Tablets)
Fizzies offered a novel way for kids to create fizzy drinks by dissolving tablets in water. While the concept was exciting, the flavors were often too artificial, reminiscent of Alka-Seltzer. The fizz quickly faded, leaving a flat, sugary drink that didn’t quite live up to the promise of soda. Though they garnered initial interest for their interactive nature, the taste experience was lacking. Fizzies eventually fizzled out, with consumers seeking more authentic and flavorful beverage options.
6. Marathon Bar (1970s)
The Marathon Bar was famous for its length and braided design, promising a lengthy indulgence in caramel and chocolate. However, the reality was a chewy endurance test that stuck to teeth. While visually impressive, the texture deterred many from repeat purchases. The caramel, though rich, often overshadowed the chocolate, leaving an imbalance. As candy evolved to favor more enjoyable and less troublesome textures, the Marathon Bar crossed the finish line into obscurity, remembered for its ambitious length over taste.
7. Tart ‘n’ Tinys (1980s)
Tart ‘n’ Tinys were small, colorful candies that promised a burst of sour flavor. Yet, the chalky texture and mild taste didn’t quite deliver the sour punch many hoped for. Despite their alluring colors, the candies often left a powdery residue, detracting from the experience. As tastes shifted towards more intense, fruit-flavored candies, Tart ‘n’ Tinys found themselves overshadowed. The candy’s brief moment in the spotlight faded, leaving behind a legacy of untapped potential in the world of tart treats.
8. Hershey’s Swoops (2000s)
Hershey’s Swoops aimed to revolutionize chocolate consumption with their chip-like shape. While the idea of Pringle-shaped chocolate was intriguing, the execution fell flat. The shape didn’t enhance the experience; rather, it felt gimmicky. Consumers found themselves longing for traditional chocolate bars, where flavor and texture were the focus. Despite the initial curiosity, Swoops didn’t capture the sustained interest of chocolate lovers. Over time, they became a footnote in Hershey’s history, overshadowed by simpler, more satisfying confections.
9. Wonder Balls (1990s-2000s)
Wonder Balls promised an exciting surprise with each hollow chocolate shell, concealing small candies inside. However, the quality of chocolate disappointed, and the candies inside were often lackluster. Marketed as a fun treat, they failed to deliver the expected joy. The concept was more appealing than the reality, leading to eventual disappointment. As packaging and concepts evolved, consumers sought richer, more fulfilling chocolates. Wonder Balls rolled out of popularity, now fondly recalled by those who experienced their brief, whimsical allure.
10. Bubble Jug (1980s)
Bubble Jug invited kids to pour powdered bubblegum into their mouths, an idea as messy as it was novel. While the concept intrigued young consumers, the execution was less than ideal. The powder quickly transformed into gum, but the flavor was fleeting and often disappointing. Concerns over choking hazards and the impracticality of such a form factor soon overshadowed its novelty. As safer and more flavorful gum options emerged, Bubble Jug quietly disappeared, leaving behind a quirky chapter in the history of childhood treats.