The Sweet History of Bit-O-Honey (2024)

Remember These?

The Sweet History of Bit-O-Honey (1)

Remember Bit-O-Honey? It's a classic – and it doesn't get the recognition it deserves!

The infamous red, blue and yellow wrapper takes me back to being a kid in a candy store...and dipping my hand into a giant, wooden barrel full of Bit-O-Honey candies. (Which also happens to be the way we store these at Life is Sweet!)

So, what's so special about Bit-O-Honey? It's a honey-flavored taffy packed with almond chunks. It wasn't everyone's favorite – especially when we were kids! But there's nothing else out there quite like it.

Let's take a trip down memory lane!

Bit-O-Honey is Born

Bit-O-Honey was invented in 1924 by the Chicago-based Shutter-Johnson Company. Interestingly, they weren't even known for making candy...until the launch of this honey-flavored treat!

A Little Bit-O-Honey Goes A Long Way...

Bit-O-Honey may have been born in the '20s, but it didn't become popular until the '60s, when it was bought by Ward Candy Company.

Ward had already been making several other popular treats – including Raisinets and Chunky!

Thanks to Ward, the name Bit-O-Honey got out there. You might remember their slogan: Every Bit ofBit-O-Honey Goes A Long Way...

You probably also remember the commercials – you know, with the guy singing on the beach?

🎶 I took a little bit of money...and I bought a Bit-O-Honey...🎶

Other Flavors

Ward Candy Company released other flavors of taffy, such asBit-O-Chocolate, Bit-O-Peanut Butter, and Bit-O-Licorice. But these were all short-lived.

None of them could compare to Bit-O-Honey!

Bit-O-Honey Today

If you love this honey-flavored classic, you're in luck – because it's still around today!

The candy has changed hands multiple times since the 60s, but it's now produced by Spangler Candy Company – the same company that saved Necco Wafers from being discontinued!

Here's some fun news...

Have you heard about the Candyvore Candy Collective yet? Bit-O-Honey will be featured in this month's super-limited-edition candy mix.

CLICK HERE to get on the waitlist – and you'll get first dibs on the candy!

The Sweet History of Bit-O-Honey (2024)

FAQs

The Sweet History of Bit-O-Honey? ›

Bit-O-Honey was invented in 1924 by the Schutter-Johnson Company based out of Chicago, IL. In case you didn't know, it's a honey-flavored taffy

taffy
Taffy is a type of candy invented in the United States, made by stretching and/or pulling a sticky mass of a soft candy base, made of boiled sugar, butter, vegetable oil, flavorings, and colorings, until it becomes aerated (tiny air bubbles produced), resulting in a light, fluffy and chewy candy.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Taffy_(candy)
that is packed with chunks of almonds and tastes like one of the sweetest treats on planet earth.

What is the history of Bit-O-Honey candy? ›

Bit-O-Honey may have been born in the '20s, but it didn't become popular until the '60s, when it was bought by Ward Candy Company. Ward had already been making several other popular treats – including Raisinets and Chunky! Thanks to Ward, the name Bit-O-Honey got out there.

Why did Bit-O-Honey change? ›

But its packaging wasn't doing much to win over new customers, and market research showed there was an untapped audience of health-conscious candy lovers. So Spangler brought us in to rebrand the iconic line. Our new packaging and identity position Bit-O-Honey as a subtly sweet fix to get you through your day.

Why are bit-o honeys so good? ›

With its natural ingredients of real honey and roasted almonds bits, Bit-O-Honey is a great fit for snackers looking for something on the lighter side. It's the perfect burst of subtle sweetness to serve as a little fix to help get through the mundane moments of the everyday.

What is the difference between Mary Jane and Bit-O-Honey? ›

In the same way as nougat, Bit-O-Honey contains nonfat milk, egg whites and modified soy protein to help stabilize the air bubbles incorporated to reduce density. The Mary Jane contains no proteins, relying on the high viscosity of the matrix to hold air bubbles.

What is the oldest candy? ›

The first candy was used by the Ancient Egyptians for cult purposes. In ancient times, Egyptians, Arabs, and Chinese made candies with fruits and nuts that caramelized with honey. The two oldest candy types are licorice and ginger. The historical roots of licorice are found in the early years of man's appearance.

Is Bit-O-Honey actually honey? ›

Ingredients. As of 2024 ingredients are corn syrup, sugar, nonfat milk, hydrogenated coconut oil, almonds (almonds, canola and/or safflower and/or sunflower oil), honey, salt, egg whites, modified soy protein, natural flavor.

Is bit of honey good for you? ›

Consuming two tablespoons of honey a day can offer health benefits such as antioxidants, better wound healing, and anti-inflammatory properties. A spoonful of honey (about 21 grams) has the following nutritional content: Energy: 64 kcal. Fructose (a type of carbohydrate): 8.6 grams.

Does Bit-O-Honey have molasses in it? ›

The ingredients for Bit-O-Honey are rather simple. It's a mixture of corn syrup, coconut oil, egg whites, honey, sugar, and milk.

What candy is similar to Bit-O-Honey? ›

Mary Janes is another candy that is somewhat similar to Bit-O-Honey. It consists of a peanut butter and molasses taffy that has a chewy texture and a rich, sweet flavor. While it does not contain almond bits like Bit-O-Honey, Mary Janes are loved by many for their distinctive taste and nostalgic appeal.

What candy was invented in 1924? ›

1924 A unique non-chocolate candy bar, with a sweet taste and taffy consistency , called Bit O Honey is introduced by the Schutter Johnson company of Chicago. 1924 Akron Candy Company creates Dum Dums lollipops. Discover more about this easy to say treat here.

Is Bit-O-Honey chewy? ›

With real honey and almond bits blended into taffy, Bit-O-Honey candy provides a delicious taste and long lasting chew!

Are Mary Jane candies still made? ›

shelves for more than three years! Atkinson Candy is. re-introducing the legendary molasses chews at.

Is Bit-O-Honey being discontinued? ›

Spangler Candy Company is reintroducing Bit-O-Honey, the classic honey-flavored chew, with a total brand relaunch. Spangler recently acquired Bit-O-Honey, seeing potential in the underappreciated treat for a renaissance on modern candy shelves, and now, the bite-sized candy is positioned to make a grand reintroduction.

Did Bit-O-Honey change the recipe? ›

We did not change the recipe for Bit-O-Honey. There was nothing about the flavor that we changed. But we made some investments in the equipment to allow us to make it more consistently, and also make it just a little bit softer than what it had been in the past, and I'll get to that softness attribute here in a minute.

Why is Mary Jane Candy called Mary Jane? ›

Instantly recognizable with its yellow and red wrapper and illustration of a bonnet-wearing little girl (part of the candy's packaging since the beginning), Mary Jane candy was named after the creator's favorite aunt, and debuted in 1914. Mary Jane Candy | An old-fashioned favorite since 1914.

What is the history of zero candy bar? ›

History. Zero was first launched by the Hollywood Brands candy company of Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1920 as the Double Zero Bar and was renamed "Zero" in 1934. It is said the name "double" zero was implied to suggest the Zero bar was "cool", as in low in temperature.

When did Mary Jane Candy come out? ›

Instantly recognizable with its yellow and red wrapper and illustration of a bonnet-wearing little girl (part of the candy's packaging since the beginning), Mary Jane candy was named after the creator's favorite aunt, and debuted in 1914. Mary Jane Candy | An old-fashioned favorite since 1914.

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