Bit-O-Honey

Bit-O-Honey
Bit-o-Honey wrapper
Product typeConfectionery
OwnerSpangler Candy Company
CountryUnited States
Introduced1924; 100 years ago (1924)
Previous ownersSchutter Candy Co. (1924—1966)
Ward Foods, Inc. (1966—1981)
Terson (1981—1984)
Nestlé (1984—2013)
Pearson's (2013—2020)
TaglineNutty Little Honey Chews
Websitebitohoney.com 
An unwrapped Bit-O-Honey bar

Bit-O-Honey is an American candy, introduced in 1924[1] by the Schutter-Johnson Company of Chicago. It is currently owned by the Bryan, Ohio-based Spangler Candy Company.

Bit-O-Honey is a honey-flavored taffy with almond — sold either as a candy bar or individually wrapped, bite-sized candies, available in bags or theater-size boxes.[2] The bar is divided into six segments, with an interior wax paper wrapping and an exterior plasticized paper wrapper. Texture-wise, Bit-O-Honey is similar to Atkinson's Mary Jane candy. 

History

After introducing Bit-O-Honey in 1924 candy bar Schutter-Johnson was merged in 1969 with Blumenthal Brothers Chocolate Company (later Ward Candy Company) of New York City, makers of other candies, including Oh Henry! and Raisinets.  Between the mid- and late-1970s, a chocolate-flavored version called Bit-O-Chocolate was offered and subsequently dropped.

Bit-O-Honey wrapper, circa 1969

Other spin-offs included Bit o' Licorice and Bit-O-Peanut Butter. In 2017, Bit-O-Honey Chocolate was reintroduced.[3]

Bit-O-Honey and Ward's other brands were acquired by Chicago-based Terson Company in 1981.[4] The eventual sale of Bit-O-Honey brand happened in 1984, when the Terson Company sold Ward Candy brands to Nestlé Company on January 9, 1984.[5]

Bit-O-Honey penny candy pieces

In May 2013, Nestlé sold the Bit-O-Honey brand to Pearson's Candy Company of Saint Paul, Minnesota.[6] Spangler Candy Company of Bryan, Ohio, acquired the brand in November 2020.[7] In late 2022 Spangler moved Bit-O-Honey manufacturing equipment from its former home in Saint Paul to Bryan. Production in the new facility started in January 2023.[8]

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ "Spangler Candy". Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  2. ^ "Bit-O-Honey". Old Time Candy. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  3. ^ "Bit O Honey History". Groovy Candies. Archived from the original on January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  4. ^ "Under the so-called reverse merger procedure, Ward Foods will..." UPI Archives. October 30, 1980. Archived from the original on November 10, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  5. ^ "Bit-O-Honey – A Nostalgic Taffy History". Candy Favorites. January 31, 2014. Archived from the original on June 4, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  6. ^ "Pearson Candy Co. buys Bit-O-Honey". Minneapolis/St Paul Business Journal. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  7. ^ "Spangler Candy acquires Bit-O-Honey Brand". Press Release. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  8. ^ Hallman, Eva (June 10, 2023). "Bit-O-Honey cuts the wrapper, unveiling new Ohio production facility". WANE-TV. Nexstar Media Inc.
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