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Sweet Memories: Remembering Popular Candy in the 60s

The 1960s was a time of change and growth for America. This was also true in the confectionary industry, where many favorite sweet treats were introduced that are still being enjoyed today, as well as several holdover favorites. Here are some of the most popular types of candy in the 60s.

Starburst

Introduced in 1960 and still popular today, these tangy taffies are made with a combination of sugar, corn syrup, water, tartaric acid (a natural preservative), citric acid (another natural preservative) and fruit flavors. These days, aside from the original squares, Starburst comes in all sorts of varieties.

Swedish Fish

Coming to prominence in the 60s, Swedish Fish are still a popular favorite today. These chewy fruit-flavored gummies come from Sweden and have been an American staple since they were introduced at the Philadelphia Navy Yard trade show in 1957.

Hershey’s Kisses

There are few candies more classic than Hershey’s Kisses. One of the most popular and best-selling chocolate brands in America, these iconic kisses were a favorite among kids everywhere during the 1960s–and for good reason! Made from milk or dark chocolate with sweeteners like sugar and corn syrup, they are a delicious treat.

Jolly Ranchers

A fan favorite today, Jolly Ranchers were introduced to the U.S. in 1949 and have been delighting youngsters ever since with their sweet-and-sour fruity flavors! These yummy candies are made from a variety of fruit juice concentrates mixed together for just the right amount of sweetness (with some added sugar). By the 1960s, the hard-sticky, sweet-sour confections were really coming into their own.

Wax Lips

Wax Lips are a popular candy from the 60s that’s back with a vengeance. Introduced in 1908 by William Wrigley Jr., these candies were originally created to be used as chewing gum and breath mints. They’re made from sugar, honey, paraffin wax, carnauba wax, beeswax and various flavorings. The spherical shape of these candies resembles a pair of lips, which is where the name originates from!

Life Savers

Another popular candy introduced in 1891 was Life Savers, made by Clarence Crane and based on his father’s cough drop recipe. These round mints were originally flavored with wintergreen (though other flavors have been introduced over the years).

Gobstoppers

Introduced in 1963, Gobstoppers are a popular candy that consists of a round hard sugar “ball” on the end of an elongated stick. These candies were first introduced by the company Charms and come in many different colors and flavors. The name comes from their tendency to stop hunger as well as sweet cravings!

Lemonheads

Another popular classic, Lemonheads are a type of sour candy that was first introduced in 1962 by the Ferrara Candy Company (now Ferrara Pan). As the name implies, Lemonheads are shaped like little lemons and flavored like the tart fruits, too — with plenty of sweet accents!

Now & Later

Now & Laters are a type of hard/soft candy that was first introduced in 1962 by the The Phoenix Candy Company. They come individually wrapped, so they’re perfect for sharing or saving some for later! Flavors run the gamut from traditional fruits to specialties like cotton candy and tropical punch.

Twizzlers

Twizzlers are a type of licorice-flavored, twisted rope candy that was first introduced in 1929. The name “Twizzler” is trademarked to the Hershey Company, which acquired it from its original creator (a company called Young and Smylie). Twizzlers also come in fruity flavors like cherry and strawberry!

Fruit Stripe Gum

Fruit Stripe Gum is a type of gum that was first introduced in 1968 by the Beech-Nut. It’s most notable for its delicious fruity flavor, which comes from natural and artificial flavors. Instantly recognizable on store shelves by its rainbow-colorful packaging and similarly-colorful zebra mascot, Fruit Stripe Gum was always an exciting “discovery” for kids of the 1960s.

(Like Popular Candy in the 60s? Then you might like our article on Popular Candy in the 1970s, click here. Or how about Do Pixy Stix Expire, click here.)

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