#candy-history

#candy-history

War is a divisive subject. There's nothing positive about the loss of millions of lives. However, despite the immense destruction caused throughout history, some of the world's most iconic foods have resulted from wartime. Take candy, for example. M&Ms were literally inspired by a need to create candy for soldiers that could withstand the terrible conditions of war. It's true what Plato said, that "Necessity is the mother of invention." And sadly, there are few conditions that drive food innovation better than wartime, when lives are at stake and everyday ingredients truly become luxuries.

For example, have you ever heard of Mary Jane candies? It's a delectable old-fashioned taffy that blends peanut butter and molasses, and one of several classic New England candies. From the East Coast, across the Midwest, or swooping below the Mason-Dixon, all the way West, there are delicious confections, largely unavailable anywhere else. Here is a list of must-try regional candies.

Hershey's Kisses have been in production since 1907, except during World War II, when aluminum was rationed for military use.

M&M's originated in the early 1930s after Forrest Mars Sr. observed soldiers in Spain eating chocolate balls coated to resist melting in heat.

Sodalicious gummies were among the first to incorporate soda into a snack, shaped like soda bottles and offered a unique popping sugary coating.