A Brief History of Dubble Bubble Gum

One of the most popular brands of bubble gum is Dubble Bubble. Once packaged creatively with a comic strip wrapped around the sugar covered gum Dubble Bubble can now be found in gumball form making it perfect for candy vending machines. As with many of life's great discoveries Dubble Bubble was found by accident in 1928 by an accountant who worked for the Fleer company. Founded in 1865 by Frank H. Fleer, the chewing gum company was the first to successfully manufacture bubble gum. However, it was an employee named Walter Diemer who came across the recipe for the now iconic Dubble Bubble brand of gum.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Diemer was an accountant by trade but liked to use his spare time for experimenting. One of his hobbies was concocting recipes for chewing gum based off of the original Fleer ingredients. Though founder Frank Fleer had come up with his own bubble gum recipe in 1906 it was shelved due to its being too sticky and breaking apart too easily. He had coined the gum "Bibbler Blubber" but it would be another 20 years until Diemer would use the original idea as the inspiration for his invention.

Just prior to the stock market crash and the Great Depression the executives at Fleer decided to cut costs by manufacturing their own gum base. This move helped encourage Diemer to be more creative with his experimenting and in 1928 he stumbled upon a recipe that was less sticky than standard chewing gum, would not stick to the face when blowing a bubble and could stretch more easily. The only food coloring available at the factory was pink so Diemer had no choice but to use it and the color would go on to become the standard for gum the world over. Using a salt water taffy wrapping machine Diemer decided to individually wrap 100 pieces and brought the stock to a local candy store. The gum was priced at one penny a piece and sold out in one day.

Diemer's recipe was quickly snatched up by the Fleer brass (he never patented the invention and also never received royalties for sales) and the company began selling the gum locally. In 1930 the company added the marketing scheme of wrapping the gum with a comic strip that featured two cartoon twin brother characters Dub and Bub. The brothers would eventually be replaced by Pud in 1950. Production of the gum was halted in 1942 due to the rationing of latex and sugar during World War 2 but by 1951 Fleer was once again mass producing the popular bubble gum.

In 1957 Fleer introduced the first gum 5-pack with Dubble Bubble and was also reaping the benefits of the successful bubble gum blowing contests they sponsored which were televised nationally. The company decided to extend the flavor lines for the gum by adding apple, grape, cherry and watermelon. In 1998 Dubble Bubble was purchased by Concord Confections and in 1999 they introduced Dubble Bubble as a gumball. In 2004 Tootsie Roll acquired Concord and today the legendary gum is now sold in over 50 countries. Not bad for an accountant.

For a great selection of Dubble Bubble brand bubble gum visit Gumballs.com where you can find a great variety of bulk candy, gumball machines and vending supplies.

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Old Fashioned Peppermint Candy, Its History And Tradition - Long Reminiscent of Christmas

You wouldn't be expected to know that as far back in history 10,000 years ago, Peppermint was thought of as more of a medication, than a confection with traditional ties to the Christmas season.

This aromatic plant, properly named "menthe piperita", was first described by Carolus Linnalus in 1753. He had collected specimens of the plant in England, and defined it as a species. But, it was later classified as a hybrid instead, a cross between the watermint and spearmint. It grows from two to 3 feet tall, and produces tiny purple flowers, which are commonly harvested by honey bees. Delicious peppermint honey is popular result of that harvest.

Peppermint is indigenous of Europe, but is now cultivated all over the world. It flowers from mid to late summer. The leaves and flowering tops are collected as soon as the flowers begin to open and can be dried. Though peppermint can grow almost anywhere, with few exceptions, it prefers moist habitats, such as drainage ditches and creek sides. Since it is a hybrid, it's usually sterile, meaning that it produces no seeds. In the Great Lakes region of the United States it thrives un-encouraged, and is actually considered to be invasive. It's considered better grown as a cultivated crop.

Peppermint has a long tradition as of being used for medicinal use. Its aroma is considered to enhance memory; applying it to the forehead and temples often reduces headache pain, and it soothes coughs and sore throats, not to mention, indigestion. It is believed that peppermint may have anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral qualities. It's used as aromatherapy (in the form of essential peppermint oil); said to have a calming effect, and is often added to soaps and shampoos. And, it's used to treat skin irritations, anxiety associated with depression, nausea, and other related conditions. Plus, it's somewhat of a muscle relaxant.

You're, of course, accustomed to the clean fresh menthol aroma and refreshing taste of peppermint often added to toothpaste, chewing gum, and tea. And, have no doubt experienced relief from cold symptoms as a result of using chest rubs and other over-the-counter treatments containing peppermint. It works as an expectorant for coughs, due to the cool 'Menthol' ingredient, too.

But, peppermint is probably best known as the popular flavor in a variety of candies; from the well known candy cane to chocolate covered peppermint cream patties. Popsies Popcorn and Sweets shop stocks multiple varieties of peppermint candies, some dating back many years. If you're nearby, a visit to this nostalgic and cozy candy shop will transport you back to a time when life was simpler - and easier to comprehend. Memories will be stirred, and emotions relived... and they'll be put in their proper perspective. There's something undefined, but magical, about this little candy shop that has a positive affect upon the thoughts and mood of every visitor, at least to some degree. And on top of that, serving sweets from Popsies identifies you as a person who doesn't settle when it comes to the quality and uniqueness of candy served to your guests and family members.

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Posted in: Candy,Christmas,Fashioned,history,Peppermint,Reminiscent,Tradition

Retro Candy, with a history of a science lesson teaching and treatment of diseases

Until the mid 19th century, this candy was used as a medicine, being recognized for bringing therapeutic results. Of course, candy and other sweets of all varieties, thanks to their popularity as gifts and special treats, is still a form of "treatment" for many of us. Crystal Rock Candy has its own history, though. Many people remember the details of this science lesson from their school days.

The science lesson that revolve around this popular candy includes the molecular composition of sugar (12 carbon atoms, 22 11 hydrogen atoms and oxygen atoms) and the effect heat has on it. Demonstrates how the science of saturated and saturated solutions, creating seed crystals and crystal growth rate. When sugar is mixed with water, the sugar dissolves and is defined as having gone into solution. When it was dissolved as much sugar as possible, the solution is considered "saturated". The addition of high heat levels allows space for more sugar to be dissolved, leading to the solution is "saturated". This is an unstable state. Crystallization occurs when sugar molecules begin to crystallize into a solid.

Supplies required only to conduct this science lesson are a casserole, heat source, spoon and a measuring cup ... some of the same equipment necessary to make fudge and other candies. Although these other types of candy, crystallization is the only thing to protect against; a lot of fondant that has crystallized is considered a failure. With candy rock crystal, crystallization is the goal. The experiment of science is complete, and the candy is edible after seven days. Not surprisingly, this traditional science lesson is still popular today and is practiced by educators in both public and private school.

Crystal Rock Candy through the crystallization process. Commercially, the candy is made by pouring a solution purely hot water-saturated and sugar in large tanks. During cooling, you produce larger crystals. These are "collections", packaged and delivered to the market. Crystal Rock Candy comes in the form of strings, sticks and loose crystals contained in a straw, called swizzle sticks. There are various flavors on sticks that can be used to stir and taste a cup of coffee. These are very popular and unique.

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Posted in: Candy,diseases,history,lesson,Retro,science,teaching,treatment