NPR Series: Americandy: Sweet Land Of Liberty https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=155919296 We're taking a cross-country tour of candies from around the U.S., sampling hometown sweets that deliver a nostalgic sugar rush. en Copyright 2024 NPR - For Personal Use Only Story API Shim 1.2.24 Mon, 21 Apr 2025 14:02:19 -0400 https://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/primary/npr_generic_image_300.jpg?s=200 NPR Series: Americandy: Sweet Land Of Liberty https://www.npr.org/series/155919296/sweet-dreams-regional-candies Maine's Needhams: A Sweet Treat Of Earthy Potatoes Needhams are a traditional Maine candy made with chocolate, coconut and an unlikely state staple: potatoes. Maine's official state treat is the whoopie pie, but many still look fondly on the coconutty goodie their grandmothers used to make. Fri, 24 Aug 2012 13:25:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/08/26/159998395/maines-needhams-a-sweet-treat-of-earthy-potatoes https://www.npr.org/2012/08/26/159998395/maines-needhams-a-sweet-treat-of-earthy-potatoes

Needhams are a traditional Maine candy made with chocolate, coconut and an unlikely state staple: potatoes. Maine's official state treat is the whoopie pie, but many still look fondly on the coconutty goodie their grandmothers used to make.

]]> Patty Wight Valomilks: A Sweet Treat That Runs Down Your Chin The chocolate cups filled with oozy marshmallow have been around for eight decades. They're made by the Sifers family, whose legend holds that the gooey treats were created by a candy maker who imbibed a bit too much vanilla. Sat, 18 Aug 2012 17:20:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/08/18/159026303/valomilks-a-sweet-treat-that-runs-down-your-chin https://www.npr.org/2012/08/18/159026303/valomilks-a-sweet-treat-that-runs-down-your-chin only Valomilks — for decades.'/>

The chocolate cups filled with oozy marshmallow have been around for eight decades. They're made by the Sifers family, whose legend holds that the gooey treats were created by a candy maker who imbibed a bit too much vanilla.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> J. Schafer Chukar Cherries: A Year-Round Taste Of Summer Washington state is famous for its cherries, but the juicy fruits are available for only a short time each year. Chukar Cherries, based in Prosser, Wash., uses 250,000 pounds of them annually in its dried cherry candies. Fans say Chukar's goodies let the sweet taste of summer last all year. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 12:56:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/08/12/158570024/chukar-cherries-offers-a-year-round-taste-of-summer https://www.npr.org/2012/08/12/158570024/chukar-cherries-offers-a-year-round-taste-of-summer

Washington state is famous for its cherries, but the juicy fruits are available for only a short time each year. Chukar Cherries, based in Prosser, Wash., uses 250,000 pounds of them annually in its dried cherry candies. Fans say Chukar's goodies let the sweet taste of summer last all year.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> Anna King Grand Ole Goo Goo Sweetens Fans Old And New The Goo Goo Cluster, a chocolate-covered bundle of marshmallow, peanuts, and caramel from Tennessee, turns 100 in October. After a long association with Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, the gooey treat is looking for a new audience. Sat, 04 Aug 2012 05:53:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/08/04/158090777/grand-ole-goo-goo-sweetens-fans-old-and-new https://www.npr.org/2012/08/04/158090777/grand-ole-goo-goo-sweetens-fans-old-and-new

The Goo Goo Cluster, a chocolate-covered bundle of marshmallow, peanuts, and caramel from Tennessee, turns 100 in October. After a long association with Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, the gooey treat is looking for a new audience.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> Mike Osborne In New Mexico, A Brittle Treat That Smolders In Las Cruces, a candy shop whips up nut brittle made with red and green chili powder almost daily. Luis Flores' parents started in the candy business four decades ago. Today, you'll find his spicy brittle in farmer's markets and gift shops across the Southwest. Sun, 29 Jul 2012 05:59:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/07/29/157503013/in-new-mexico-a-brittle-treat-that-smolders https://www.npr.org/2012/07/29/157503013/in-new-mexico-a-brittle-treat-that-smolders

In Las Cruces, a candy shop whips up nut brittle made with red and green chili powder almost daily. Luis Flores' parents started in the candy business four decades ago. Today, you'll find his spicy brittle in farmer's markets and gift shops across the Southwest.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> The Modjeska: A Star On Stage, Sweetly Remembered There once was a candy maker who was infatuated with an actress. Now, there's a candy shop in Louisville, Ky., that's been selling his tribute to her for decades. Sat, 21 Jul 2012 06:06:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/07/21/157095829/the-modjeska-a-star-on-stage-sweetly-remembered https://www.npr.org/2012/07/21/157095829/the-modjeska-a-star-on-stage-sweetly-remembered

There once was a candy maker who was infatuated with an actress. Now, there's a candy shop in Louisville, Ky., that's been selling his tribute to her for decades.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> Rick Howlett Don't Cry Over Burnt Milk In South Texas; Savor It <em>Leche quemada</em>, which translates as "burnt milk," is a popular Mexican treat. The sweet comes in many forms, but in South Texas, one of the most popular types is made from goat milk. Sun, 15 Jul 2012 06:11:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/07/15/156739957/dont-cry-over-burnt-milk-in-south-texas-savor-it https://www.npr.org/2012/07/15/156739957/dont-cry-over-burnt-milk-in-south-texas-savor-it leche quemada, or "burnt milk." But in South Texas, the kind made of goat milk is king.'/>

Leche quemada, which translates as "burnt milk," is a popular Mexican treat. The sweet comes in many forms, but in South Texas, one of the most popular types is made from goat milk.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> David Martin Davies Manju: A Taste Of Home For Seattle's Japanese Community Manju are traditional Japanese dough buns, often filled with sweet bean paste, that are best eaten fresh. A Seattle native recently opened a manju bakery to replace one he remembers fondly from childhood. Sat, 07 Jul 2012 07:55:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/07/07/156204377/manju-a-taste-of-home-for-seattles-japanese-community https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/07/07/156204377/manju-a-taste-of-home-for-seattles-japanese-community

Manju are traditional Japanese dough buns, often filled with sweet bean paste, that are best eaten fresh. A Seattle native recently opened a manju bakery to replace one he remembers fondly from childhood.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> Florangela Davila Americandy: Tell Us About The Candy In Your Town We're taking a cross-country tour of candies from around the U.S., sampling hometown sweets that deliver a nostalgic sugar rush. What's the candy that sends you back to a sweet and simpler time? Wed, 04 Jul 2012 18:07:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/07/04/156261530/americandy-tell-us-about-the-candy-in-your-town https://www.npr.org/2012/07/04/156261530/americandy-tell-us-about-the-candy-in-your-town

We're taking a cross-country tour of candies from around the U.S., sampling hometown sweets that deliver a nostalgic sugar rush. What's the candy that sends you back to a sweet and simpler time?

]]> In 'Sponge Candy Crescent,' Addicts Hoard 'Heaven' During the long winter months on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, sponge candy is a mainstay. But the temperamental treat isn't available in hot weather, so to get their fix in the summer, fans have to plan in advance. Sun, 01 Jul 2012 05:44:00 -0400 https://www.npr.org/2012/07/01/156031130/in-sponge-candy-crescent-addicts-hoard-heaven https://www.npr.org/2012/07/01/156031130/in-sponge-candy-crescent-addicts-hoard-heaven

During the long winter months on the eastern shore of Lake Erie, sponge candy is a mainstay. But the temperamental treat isn't available in hot weather, so to get their fix in the summer, fans have to plan in advance.

(Image credit: Melisa Goh)

]]> Daniel Robison