The Early Days of a Retro Candy Bar
The history of the Abba-Zaba bar goes way back, all the way to 1922, to be exact. It was a different time, then. The first radio had just arrived at the White House, Egypt received independence from Great Britain, and a little candy company called Colby and McDermott was manufacturing a new kind of candy bar in Los Angeles, California.
What made this candy so special, you might ask? Well, it consisted of a white taffy exterior with a creamy peanut butter center. Known as the Abba-Zaba bar, this stick-to-your-teeth confection became a huge hit out west, where they still carry the biggest clout, today.
In The Spotlight
Anyone who loves the Abba-Zaba bar will recognize that black and yellow Taxi-cab-esque exterior. But are you familiar with the original wrapper scandal? Early Abba-Zaba wrappers from Colby & McDermott depict what appear to be African tribesmen in a jungle, sitting beside a taffy tree. And while this racially taboo packaging would never fly today, it didn’t do the brand any damage when the candy first came out.
The Abba-Zaba bar has also made numerous TV and movie appearances in its sweet history, racking up quite a few screen creds- the most famous of which may be from its mention in the movie Half Baked.
So Famous!
Abba-Zaba Today
Over the years, manufacturing of the candy passed first to Cardinet Candy and then to Annabelle Candy Company in 1978. But despite frequent company changes, the original Abba-Zaba taste has remained the same.
Today, Annabelle Candy Company manufactures the Abba-Zaba bar in Hayward, California. The candy is Kosher pareve and is even available in new flavors. You can now get your Abba-Zaba fix with green-apple flavored taffy, or a chocolate, instead of peanut butter, filling.
And once you’ve gotten your hands on one, the choice is yours on how you want to enjoy it. Some say freezing them is the best way. Others say leaving them in a hot car does the trick. Either way, you’re in for a treat.
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Sources
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abba-Zaba
- http://www.candywrappermuseum.com/abbazaba.html
- http://www.seriouseats.com/2010/08/abba-zaba-candy-taffy-peanut-butter-you-my-only-friend.html
- https://www.facebook.com/ABBAZABA
I thought AbbaZabbas were no longer being made but I found some at 99 cent store this week. I was sooo excited!! It’s my dear friends favorite. My favorite is Big Hunk. Still searching for them. We are both 83 & have been eating our favorites for a very long time!
I am 64 and still buy Abba zabbas online when I get the urge.In the 60’s we would go to my granny and grampas in Needles CA.I had a best friend there and her and I would go to the minimart down the street.Abba Zabbas we’re just a nickel.
My Aunt worked at the ABBA Zabba factory in the office. She was a widow. One year we went to Christmas dinner at her house. She always had Abba Zabba’s. She also had a guest there, Mr. Colby. I later found out he was her boss, but whatever. They kept us kids happy with all that lovely candy! Life in L. A. in the 60’s.
My great-grandfather lived in Hollywood CA and was a friend of the company owner. This was probably in the1920s. My father said they were given boxes of Abba Zabbas as gifts from the owner. Dad said the candy bars were thicker had more peanut butter in them back then.
He told me that they used to put a colored ribbon sporadically in a bar. You could get free ones with those ribbons, i.e. 1, 5 or 10. This was probably the inspiration for Charlie & the Chocolate Factory.
Gary O’ Dell, you are as awesome as they come! Thank you for sharing your story. I loved reading the history behind this candy but hearing actual events from someone who was actually there and lived across the street from the factory where Abba-Zabba was made takes my imagination to a whole different level. My great grandfather was walking by a bakery during the depression, he was an out of work engineer. They were starting to turn people away because some of their major equipment had broken down so there was a shortage on bread. My great gramps told the manager that he was sure he could get their machines up and running again if given a chance. They hesitated at first because a repairman had been called in already and was stumped as to what the problem was. The owner popped his head in and gave my great gramps permission to get started because he figured it couldn’t hurt to let him try. He started at 6:00 AM and had every piece of industrial equipment fixed by the end of the day. The owner was impressed and sent him to a friend who also needed help at the Clark company.. as in Clark Candy bars. He fixed all their equipment too and got hired as their maintenance man. If I’m not mistaken the bakery was called the Hanky bread or baking company and of course most of us have heard of the Clark bar. This took place in Pennsylvania. 😊 ðŸ¬