{"id":1690,"date":"2012-03-02T12:32:52","date_gmt":"2012-03-02T17:32:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.collectingcandy.com\/wordpress\/?p=1690"},"modified":"2012-03-02T12:39:29","modified_gmt":"2012-03-02T17:39:29","slug":"zotz-where-the-fizz-still-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/collectingcandy.com\/wordpress\/?p=1690","title":{"rendered":"Zotz – Where the fizz still is."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Zotz - Where the fizz izz - promo sticker - 1970's 1980's<\/p><\/div>\n

I have clear memories of Zotz candy from when I was a kid, both the packaging and the confectionery experience it contained.\u00a0 The Zotz name and logo was like a comic book sound effect, and it accurately described the exclamation of eating one.\u00a0 Years before Pop Rocks would arrive on the scene, Zotz was the first candy that made me suspect that some strange science was at work inside.\u00a0 You see, this sour candy actually created a kind of fizzing when you ate it.<\/p>\n

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Zotz - Orange wrappers - 1970's<\/p><\/div>\n

I received a brief description of the history of Zotz from the manufacturer:<\/p>\n

The original Zotz Fizz Power Candies were introduced in 1968. Within one year they had quickly become the hottest selling kids candy in the business. What made Zotz unique was the flavored fizz center, kids found the effervescent center irresistible.\u00a0\u00a0 [Zotz is a high quality hard candy manufactured by G.B. Ambrosoli. G.B. Ambrosoli is wholly owned and operated by the Ambrosoli family in Como Italy since 1920.]<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

One of the coolest vintage Zotz pieces I’ve come across as a collector is this larger foil pack, which appears to have held a variety of Zotz candies inside.\u00a0 Made of foil, it is unlike the typical plastic packaging I’ve encountered and features fun Zotz mascot characters I’ve never seen anywhere else:<\/p>\n

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Zotz - Fizzzz Power Candy - Lemon, Cherry, Orange - foil package - 1970's<\/p><\/div>\n

Tracking down vintage Zotz packaging pieces has proven to be especially challenging, likely due to the fact that it’s tough to get to the candy inside without tearing up the wrapper along the way.\u00a0 So, I don’t have any more vintage pieces in my own collection.<\/p>\n

I do have this fun series of promotional stickers for Zotz, likely released in the 1970’s:<\/p>\n

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Vintage Zotz promotional stickers - 1970's<\/p><\/div>\n

Clipped from a 1987 Zotz promotional flyer, here are some great images of items from the era.\u00a0 My favorite is Zotz Dragon Babies:<\/p>\n

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Zotz - Dragon Babies news clipping. Color image courtesy Andre Prost Inc.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zotz Pops - 1987 - Courtesy Andre Prost Inc.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zotz Power Pack - 1987 - Courtesy Andre Prost Inc.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Lotz-A-Zotz - 1987 - Courtesy Andre Prost Inc.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Zotz Strings - 1987 - Courtesy Andre Prost Inc.<\/p><\/div>\n

I do have one example of 1990’s Zotz packaging, which comes to me from fellow collector Dan Goodsell.\u00a0 Looking similar to the 1980’s packs pictured above – this one has alternating flavors:<\/p>\n

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Zotz - candy strip - early 1990's - Courtesy Dan Goodsell<\/p><\/div>\n

Zotz are still available, and still sold in packaging much like they were when I was growing up.\u00a0\u00a0 Here’s a set of six flavor packs I picked up last year:<\/p>\n

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Zotz current package examples - 2011<\/p><\/div>\n

A strip of candies, each in its own compartment, and each strip a unique flavor – Zotz are still the same great confectionery treat they always have been. \u00a0 A new Blue Raspberry flavor was recently added, so I’ll be looking for this one to try soon:<\/p>\n

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Zotz flavor assortments and new Blue Raspberry - Courtesy Andre Prost Inc<\/p><\/div>\n

If you’re in the mood for some Zotz or have never tried them and are curious, you can typically find them at specialty candy stores.\u00a0 They are also available online:<\/p>\n