46 replies to this topic

[Fat Guy]

I was at CVS tonight and my eyes were wandering over the immense candy selection. I noticed, among other things, a box of Caramello bars.

Caramello bars? I had completely forgotten about the existence of the Caramello. I'm sure I haven't had one in 25+ years. But I do remember liking them. I'm now thinking I should have bought one.

This all caused me to consider some of the candy bars of old, and how much I wished I could be part of a community of people who enjoy discussing such things.

Reggie bar anyone?

[heidih]

Well not a candy bar but a hard candy - Regal Crown Sours - cherry and lemon. Discontinued. Nothing has come close for me. Anybody find a replacement? I can clearly imagine the taste and it has been at least 15 or more years since I had one.

[Genkinaonna]

My dad brought home two Pearson's salted nut rolls yesterday. I don't think I'd had one in 20 years. It was just as good as I remember.

Sorry FG, Caramello's just too sweet for me!

[JAZ]

Caravelle. I used to love those.

[Chris Hennes]

How did you forget Caramello?! That is the single best caramel-focused candy in mass-market existence.

[Fat Guy]

I have to do some comparisons but on the rare occasion that I indulge in a mass-market, caramel-focused candy I go for Rolos. I am also in what I guess is the minority of candy eaters that can't stand the Cadbury chocolate recipe. In general I have no idea why so many connoisseurs prefer the British mass-market candies (or the ones made elsewhere under license, such as Cadbury items being made by Hershey in the US) to the American ones. I find the British mass-market chocolate to be inferior -- not that either is particularly good as chocolate goes.

[SylviaLovegren]

I was trying to remember a nougat bar I used to love as a kid. Couldn't remember the name. Spent some time on the internet and discovered that it was called "Big Hunk" and the chocolate covered version was the "Look" Bar. You can still buy them, although probably not in stores. Found lots of fun stuff at http://www.oldtimecandy.com/

Caramello's are really big here in Toronto. So are Kit Kats which are a complete waste of calories, IMNVHO.

[heidih]

Ah the Big Hunk - we used to freeze them and them hit them on the sidewalk to break into manageable pieces (still in the wrapper). If we had any fillings at the time I think this stuff would have pulled them out.

[Chris Hennes]

I have to do some comparisons but on the rare occasion that I indulge in a mass-market, caramel-focused candy I go for Rolos. I am also in what I guess is the minority of candy eaters that can't stand the Cadbury chocolate recipe. In general I have no idea why so many connoisseurs prefer the British mass-market candies (or the ones made elsewhere under license, such as Cadbury items being made by Hershey in the US) to the American ones. I find the British mass-market chocolate to be inferior -- not that either is particularly good as chocolate goes.

Oh, no... the chocolate is terrible, borderline inedible. But that soft caramel! Yes, please. Rolo are awful, practically designed to cause dental damage.

[suzilightning]

Ah the Big Hunk - we used to freeze them and them hit them on the sidewalk to break into manageable pieces (still in the wrapper). If we had any fillings at the time I think this stuff would have pulled them out.

sure it wasn't turkish taffy?

for us it was mallow bars or skybars.

actually these folks have a good selection Vermont Country Store

[Mano]

When I was I kid I remember thinking "When I get older I can buy as many candy bars as I want," but now that I am I rarely buy even one.

Bonomo's Turkish Taffy was a favorite ("Smack it and crack it!"). It disappeared but is now available at a few specialty stores nearby and I bought a chocolate. As a kid I must've eaten over a hundred so my memory of the entire Bonomo experience is hard wired. The new version is soft, bland and disappointing.

[KaffeeKlatsch]

Pecan Chunky bars.

Loved them. Never cared for the original as I don't like raisins in chocolate, but I loved the pecan version. I'll occasionally see the original in the store, but haven't seen the pecan version in years.

[vloglady]

Check out:

http://www.oldtimecandy.com/

Susan

[larryroohr]

What about candy that doesn't seem the same as it used to be? Heath bars, they don't seem nearly as good as they did in the 60's. Maybe it's me just getting older, there certainly are stinky cheeses and very spicy things I love now but wouldn't touch as a kid. Or maybe the ingredients were cost reduced? They certainly don't compare to locally made similar bars at the chocolate shop.

[Lisa Shock]

Both 5th Avenue and ZERO bars used to have large almonds on top. Then it was halves, then bits, now, no almonds.

[Lindacakes]

Mallo Cups, back when they were edible.

100,000 Dollar Bar

[Fat Guy]

At the moment I am eating Sugar Babies and really enjoying them.

[heidih]

Mallo Cups, back when they were edible.

That is the one I could not remember the name of. I know I saw it recently in a display. So......not worth getting the current version?

[butterscotch]

Caravelle. I used to love those.

Oh yes!

[Chris Hennes]

Fat Guy just reminded me of the Charleston Chew: I think the last time I had one I was maybe ten years old. Do they still make them?

[heidih]

I had forgotten the name of this one - just saw it in the local drugstore display - Christopher's Cherry - oh my!!! LINK

[demiglace]

I loved Treasure Chest choc bars..also loved Jelly Tots.

[weinoo]

You gotta get to Economy Candy...click it.

[butterscotch]

At the moment I am eating Sugar Babies and really enjoying them.

Sugar Babies is one of the rare ones that taste the same as they used to. I used to love Caramello too, but not in th last ten years or so. Something happened to that recipe.

[Panaderia Canadiense]

I am still pining for 5-Star Bars. Nothing else even gets close to 'em.

[patrickamory]

Well not a candy bar but a hard candy - Regal Crown Sours - cherry and lemon. Discontinued. Nothing has come close for me. Anybody find a replacement? I can clearly imagine the taste and it has been at least 15 or more years since I had one.

YES Heidi. My grandmother always used to have a roll or two in her handbag. One of my absolute favorite candies - they were like larger Life Savers without the center hole, and much more sour & complex.

I'd give anything to eat these again. Discontinued years ago by the (Westchester NY, I believe) candymaker.

Can someone reverse-engineer Regal Crown Sours, starting with the cherry? And I believe there was an excellent raspberry too.

Chowhound thread on this:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/269188

[BarbaraY]

This goes way back. Cowboy bars. They were a coconut caramel bar. I have searched many sites but so far nothing. The other bar that I miss is the original Mars bar, chocolate with nougat center and toasted almonds on top. Just made myself drool thinking of Mars bars.

[GlorifiedRice]

Ice cubes

[heidih]

Ice cubes

Yes! Letting them slowly melt in your mouth and filling it with the unique "chococlate" taste

[GlorifiedRice]

I have several bags in my freezer Heidih...

You can buy em online