Comeback Candy
Slo Pokes are back! The candies many of us grew up with are making comebacks! Including the caramelly Slo Poke. So says Marc Summers of the Food Network’s Unwrapped television show. Even if you missed the original airing of the program, you still can learn how one company is “taking some ‘blasts from the past’ and making them again for the kids of today” in a show excerpt posted on YouTube. Titled, “Candy Cravings,” the video clip covers a brief history of the Slo Poke and the modern day production of this rediscovered favorite. Time has changed at least one aspect of the Slo Poke sucker. It’s now available in both the original size and as a bite-sized treat. Now that’s a comeback we all can enjoy!
Life Savers Illuminate
There is a persistent Life Saver rumor that harkens back decades. You’ve probably heard it yourself. It goes something like this: Wint-O-Green Life Savers give off bright sparks when bitten in a dark room. But is this an urban legend or does it have the glint of truth to it? If you answered “it’s true” you’re correct! But the mystery remains. How does it work?
For the answer, we went to the How Stuff Works web site. There we were in for a little surprise! “Actually, all hard sugar-based candies emit some degree of light when you bite them” according to their research. Usually, however, that light is very faint. “When you rip a piece of tape off the roll, it will produce a slight glow for the same reason,” the authors continue. And that reason is triboluminescence, the natural emission of light resulting from something being smashed or torn.
But there’s more to the story of Wint-O-Green Life Savers. When bitten, they shed a greater amount of visible light than other candies. And that extra spark is produced by the wintergreen flavoring. Oil of wintergreen is naturally fluorescent.
This means it absorbs the light of shorter wavelengths, in this case ultraviolet light, and then emits light of a longer wavelength in the visible spectrum. What results is a burst of blue sparks every time you crunch on a Wint-O-Green Life Saver!
To shed more light on the science behind this amazing Life Saver flavor, visit the Wint-O-Green page at How Stuff Works.
History of the Hershey’s Kiss
No kiss is sweeter than the chocolatey Hershey’s Kiss. This mouth-sized morsel was first introduced in 1907 and turned 100 in July of this year! While it is uncertain how the Kiss got its name, some believe it stems from the sounds that emanated from the manufacturing process as the small drops of sweet milk chocolate were created.
In the beginning, Hershey’s Kisses were individually hand-wrapped in a silver foil, but by 1921 machines were invented that could automatically wrap greater numbers of the popular treat. Production halted from 1942 to 1949, however, due to the rationing of silver foil during and after World War II.
Since that time, Hershey Kisses have been wrapped in varied colors of foils and have been introduced with different flavor combinations! In 1990 Kisses with almonds became popular followed by Hershey’s Hugs (with white chocolate) in 1993. Ten years later later a caramel variation joined the Hershey Kisses line-up.
Today Hershey makes more than 80 million Kisses every day at its chocolate factories in Pennsylvania, California, and Virginia. And, according to company research, “if stranded on a desert island, more than half of Americans surveyed would rather have an unlimited supply of Hershey’s Kisses Brand Special Dark Chocolates than their favorite book!”
For more fun facts on the Hershey’s Kiss, visit the Hershey’s web site for this informative slide show.
“Polar Express” at Maritime Aquarium IMAX
If you haven’t taken the children to see “Polar Express” yet, there’s still time. The holiday movie is showing at the Maritime Aquarium IMAX in Norwalk through January 3.
Based on the 1986 Caldecott Award-winning book, the animated film follows a young boy as he boards a magical train taking him and other children to Santa’s North Pole headquarters. Academy Award winning actor Tom Hanks provides the voice for the mysterious train conductor as well as four other characters. “Polar Express” also features the music of Josh Groban and the Academy Award nominated song, “Believe.” And, viewed in 3D IMAX, it’s said you’ll feel as you if can “reach out and touch the snowflakes!”
For show times visit the Maritime Aquarium website. And for more details on the movie or the book visit Warner Brother’s Polar Express site.
Holiday Candy Crafts
Your favorite candies can do double-duty during the holidays when you consider candy crafts for fun, seasonal activities with the kids! It’s easy with these tips from Martha Stewart.
Work your magic by turning a simple candy cane into a whimsical reindeer. Martha’s How To guide includes a downloadable template. All you need are a few craft materials including felt, craft pom-poms and floral wire, plus household supplies like a pencil and scissors.
For décor or a gift with nostalgic appeal, you might also create candy-counter-style jars. Just clean and fill an old jelly jar with your favorite candy (like gum drops or jelly beans). Layer the candies to form patterns, and then adorn each jar following a few of Martha Stewart’s suggestions.
So come on and explore your creative side! And rediscover how much fun a homespun holiday can be!
