Posted by Spangler Candy on Thursday, May 28, 2020
Cue ALL the nostalgia.
“We’ve always admired the brand and how it’s woven in with the fabric of our culture,” Vashaw told TODAY. “It’s neat to be eating a candy that was carried by Civil War soldiers, and taken on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions, and issued to GIs in World War II as a morale booster. It’s a piece of our history.”
Necco Wafers, whose name is an acronym for the New England Confectionery Company, were first introduced in 1847. The candy’s iconic wax paper roll has traveled through generations, and will once again be available, hopefully for generations to come.
Vashaw confirmed that the original formula for the classic recipe has remained the same, as well as the all-too familiar packaging.
“We kept the wax wrap around the roll exactly the same,” he said, “and used the same supplier and everything.”
The durable candy discs come in eight different flavors: lemon, lime, orange, clove, cinnamon, wintergreen, licorice and chocolate. The only difference in flavor fans may notice is a “slightly richer taste to the cocoa” in the chocolate wafer.
“It’s the same flavor, but we use a slightly different process. To our palate, it brings out the flavor a bit differently,” Vashaw explained.
After the Necco factory succumbed to bankruptcy in 2018, its assets were auctioned off. Vashaw’s company, Spangler Candy, was able to acquire several classic Necco brands, including the wafers, as well as Sweethearts (which made their return this year for Valentine’s Day). Spangler Candy is also home to sweets like Dum-Dums lollipops and Circus Peanuts.
Necco Wafers are expected to hit store shelves as early as this week, with national distribution happening throughout the month of June.
I think it’s safe to say that a hint of nostalgia and a sugary wafer is a shining light in this time of uncertainty.
