So, what do you do when you are a candy collector, you’ve launched a blog about collecting candy, and you’ve got five hours and ten stops in a country where all the candy packaging is different? You buy a lot of candy, that’s what.
Even though I love picking up current packaging, I have to say, things might have gotten a bit out of hand today. I’ve never bought close to this much candy in a single day. But boy it was fun.
While Canada borders the United States, it shares more candy heritage with the United Kingdom than it does with the USA. Of course, the country used to be a part of the British Empire, so it makes sense. This all makes a visit to a typical Canadian candy isle a bit of an exotic experience for someone from south of the Canadian border.
Here are some of the highlights of the days’ take.
Did you know Canada has its own Nerds flavor? They get Peach Nerds in Canada – but you won’t find them in the United States:
- Canadian Peach Nerds box – 2012
They have some great packages for Jolly Ranchers:
Canadian Jolly Rancher packs - 2012
Canada - Jolly Rancher Rocks
Even chocolate chips get a fun treatment north of the border:
- Canada Hershey’s Chipits – dig those mascots!
Finally, here’s a few flavors of Power Poppers – think Pop Rocks, but with a crazy mascot – I found these at the last small corner variety store I stopped at during my cross-Ontario tour:
Canada - Regal Power Poppers candy packets and display box - 2012
My last images to be shared for today are from an oddball variety store I stopped at while in Canada this afternoon. The name of the place; “Milk & Things”. Emphasis on “& Things”:
Milk & Things - They have lots of things in here.
I walked into Milk & Things, and it was exactly the kind of candy collecting scenario I hope for; shelves and shelves of candy, most of it covered by dust. Yeah, it was pretty disgusting, but they had American candy in there, and some of it going back to 2003 – it was crazy. Here are some of the things I found there:
- Wonka Bottle Caps and Spree from 2003 found at “Milk & Things” in Canada
That’s all for today’s post. It was a whirlwhind three-and-a-half-hour trip through Ontario, on the way to Michigan – which turned into about eight hour with stopping for meals, and hunting for candy. Tomorrow is Easter and in recognition of that, I hope to bring together a diverse range of Easter-themed pieces from my collection to share. I’m still adapting to working “from the field trip”, but I think it’s all worth it. I’ve got a lot more from the field to share in the coming days. Have a great holiday, everyone!
About Jason Liebig
A New York City based writer, editor and sometimes actor. After spending much of the 1990′s in the comic book business helping tell the stories of Marvel Comics’ X-Men as series editor, he has since split his time between developing his own entertainment properties while still consulting and working on others.
Having been described as “the Indiana Jones of lost and forgotten candy”, Jason is one of the country’s premier candy collectors and historians with his discoveries appearing in countless blogs, magazines, newspaper articles, and books.
Always happy to share his knowledge and unique perspectives on this colorful part of our popular culture, Jason has consulted with New York’s Museum of Food and Drink and has also been a featured guest on Food Network’s Heavyweights, France’s M6 Capital, and New York’s TheActionRoom.com.
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Be sure to brush your teeth after eating all those sweets.
If you ever need a Canadian to ship you our wacky, slightly different candy, let me know!
Dang! I want to try the tropical fun dips. Might have to see if I can buy some from the internets! Thanks for giving me a candy craving. Also, if I have old wrappers (think probably the 90’s) would you want them?
Valerie,
Sure, I’d definitely want them!
Jason, that is an awesome haul. Those Spree packages are a blast from the past. I loved those things. And Bottlecaps?! Wow.
What the hell is the green bag of Doritos in the upper left? Guacamole?
Pax: That green bag of Doritos is a treat from up north, it’s Doritos Intense Pickle flavor. You heard right.
Please let me know where to get the Jolly Rancher Rocks!!!!!! I have looked for years for them and not been able to find them! my favorite candy in the world
I agree! I really miss the Jolly Rancher Rocks as well! They were so perfect! Not big, lots of flavor and really convenient to carry around! 😀
75-80% of this stuff is American, does not originate from Canada(or the UK) and isn’t unique to Canada. xD
While a lot of the material did not originate from Canada, it was ALL purchased within Canada at retail and aside from a small percentage of actual American products that were inexplicably found up north, the majority is all in bi-lingual packaging localized for Canada. 🙂 So, from the packaging point-of-view, which is the one we take on this site – mostly Canadian.