A Peach Blossom A Day
Peach Blossoms are a candy that tastes as sweet as it sounds. A truly American treat, they also happen to be made by an American company with a history that stretches far longer than you may have expected.
It all started back in 1847. It was in this fateful year that a man by the name of Oliver Chase invented the lozenge cutter. Chase was a pharmacist, so he wasn’t necessarily in the candy-making business. But, as it turns out, the creation of this machine, which allowed long ropes of sugar to be cut into manageable pieces, was just what the confectionary doctor had ordered.
In fact, the machine was first used to slice up what we know today as
NECCO Wafers. Originally used as cough drops, or a way to soothe the stomach, these wafers were yet to come into their candy prime. Alas, who would have known that a simple little machine, similar to a pasta maker, would have such an impact on U.S. candy production?
Peach Blossoms Blossom
In 1901, Chase & Company, Hayward & Company, and Wright & Moody - three pre-Civil-War-era candy companies - joined forces to become NECCO:
the New England Confectionary Company that we know and love today.
Four years later, in 1905, NECCO introduced
Peach Blossoms. And the smooth peanut butter, wrapped in a crunchy candy coating has been delighting sweet tooths ever since.
But, don’t expect Peach Blossoms to actually taste like peaches. The candy is more reminiscent of the flower than the fruit, as there’s no peach flavoring inside. Somehow, the misleading name has never been a turnoff, as generations have been enjoying the candy ever since.
Peachy Keen
Today, Peach Blossoms are manufactured in Revere, Massachusetts. The factory still uses many machines that have been around since before World War II and relies on real live workers to add food coloring and whisk mixtures - no fully automated candy production, here! So the Peach Blossoms you buy today are made with the same personal touch that has been sweetening every batch for decades.
Source Material:
- http://boston1905.blogspot.com/2009/08/new-england-confectionary-company-necco.html
- http://www.necco.com/About.aspx
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peach_Blossoms
- http://www.thecrimson.com/article/2013/2/15/necco-factory-tour/#
- http://candyprofessor.com/2009/10/02/olive-chase-necco-wafers/
Image Sources:
- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Old-Vintage-Tin-Can-Necco-Sweets-Hard-Candies-Peach-Blossoms-/121221448652
When I was a young kids my parents always put a bag of peach blossoms in our Christmas stocking. My father who passed away in 1983 grew up with them and loved them very much. Thanks for keeping up a great tradition.
I’m sorry you can’t find any Peach Blossoms in North Carolina, but you can certainly buy them here and have them shipped right to your door. Don’t forget, orders over $49.95 ship free!!
http://legacy.candyfavorites.com/peach-blossoms-bag
http://legacy.candyfavorites.com/peach-blossoms-gift-tin
Dear Necco, I am a northerner, but have always been able to find my peach blossoms while in the Boston area. However I moved to North Carolina 21 years ago, have not been able to find them since, my sister whom lives in Mason NH had been bringing me some down, but last year she had a hard time locating some to bring down. Its true that it doesn’t seem like Christmas without Peach Blossoms. My sister said she didn’t think you were producing them anymore mainly because she couldn’t find any last year. Do you sell them in the south if so where. Also where will they be sold in the north. Sister is planning a trip down around the 21 of November, I sure hope she is able to bring some this way. Thank You Charlene Smith
Necco Peach Blossoms are only produced once a year and will return this October. Please check back then for availability.
Do you have peach blossoms?