Web Links and Necco Candy History
On this page is listed cooking websites that are mentioned on our pages, special offers and other great recipe and informational sites.
Lesley Cooks - Lesley's Recipe Archive.
Vintage Cookbook - Antique, vintage, and collectible cookbooks, as well as regional and specialty cookbooks. First editions and out of print cookbooks, plus the works of great chefs and from great restaurants. Classic cookbooks including Betty Crocker, Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and Gardens, McCall's Cook Book, Joy of Cooking, Pillsbury Family Cookbook, Fannie Farmer, Culinary Arts Institute, Woman's Home Companion.
Here's A Little Bit of New England Candy History
New England Confectionery Company (NECCO)
"Have you ever eaten a NECCO wafer? Even if you have, you probably don't know that they are very tough! In the 1930's, Admiral Byrd took 2 1/2 tons of NECCO Wafers to the South Pole -- almost a pound a week for each of his men during their two-year stay in the Antarctic.
During World War II, the U.S. government ordered a major portion of the production of the wafers. Since the candy doesn't melt and is "practically indestructible" during transit, it was the perfect food to ship overseas to the troops.
Established in 1847, the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO) is the oldest continuously operating candy company in the United States. NECCO's delicious beginnings date back to the mid-19th century, when brothers Oliver and Daniel Chase of Boston invented and patented many candy-making devices. Oliver invented a lozenge cutter, the first American candy machine, and in 1850, he invented a machine for crushing sugar into a dust.
In 1866, Daniel Chase invented the Lozenge Printing Machine, creating "conversation candies," which had instant and widespread popularity. Do you know what the most famous "conversation candies" are? NECCO is the number one maker in the United States of the famous Sweetheart Valentine conversation hearts with romantic words and messages stamped on them. About 8 billion a year are produced!"
NECCO Wafer rolls contain 8 flavors and colors: lemon (yellow); orange (orange); lime (green); clove (purple); cinnamon (white); wintergreen (pink); licorice (black); and chocolate (brown). The ingredients are simply sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, gum, colorings and flavoring.
Doesn't this make you want to go out and get a roll of Necco?! I think I will!
