Mad hunt for vintage candy

[Phil_A_Mignon]

My wife, for years, has raved about a holiday candy she enjoyed when she was a young girl back in the late seventies, early eighties. She calls them "mint puffs" which she's sure is not the technical name for them. She describes them as round or oval shaped candies, maybe slightly smaller than a golf ball, that has the familiar candy cane striping. She says they are mint flavored, but these are not to be confused with the very hard, glossy, holiday mint candy of the same size and appearance that I think most of us are familiar with. These have a much softer texture. The best way I can describe them, based upon how she's described them to me, is that when biting into them, they have a little less "give" than a malt ball, and she says they just disintegrate and melt in your mouth instantaneously.

I would love to find these damn things and surprise her for Christmas. She hunts for them every year and never is able to find them. Any help out there???

[BuildingMyBento]

http://www.economycandy.com/ They've got a brick-and-mortar in Manhattan, but you might be able to order online. Not sure if they have specifically what you want.

BuildingMyBento
http://collaterallettuce.com/

[glosh22]

Hi Phil. I am wondering if your wife is referring to a candy called Seafoam? I use to get it at as a treat once in a while as a child and it is as you said she described. What I use to eat did not have nuts or chocolate but apparently you can make it that way. See if the name sounds right to her. If so, I am going to try a few different recipes myself for it and when I find the right one, I will let you know. :)

[indyzdanny]

So the search goes on for the REAL thing! Somewhere I read that the machines that made these were quite expensive to maintain and finally the cost to maintain the machines was greater than the profit from the candy so production ceased. What I read said that somehow the machine took a very small pellet of candy and infused it with masive amounts of air expanding it from a small pellet to the round puff balls we are remembering. Not sure if it would be cost effective for anyone to invest in a new machine to do this, but I think it just might based on how many folks remember these and would like to see them again. Maybe if enough folks keep after Russel Stover they will listen and stop trtying to pull the wool over everyones eyes trying to pass off this new candy of theirs as the air bons everyone remembers. Obviously they are not the same thing.

[nelsonjazz]

The Russell Stover "AirBons" are a total lie! They are just like the ordinary soft mints you can buy at the drug store. AirBons from the old Whitman's were unique and one of a kind. Looks like Russell Stover bought Whitmans and kept the name but destroyed the old formula. Probably "not cost-effective" to make or they caused somebody injury or something. I ordered 1 bag to be safe and I'm glad that's all I ordered.
What makes me mad is they advertised it as:
Old-fashioned puffed peppermints are just like the ones you use (sic) to buy at your local drugstore. These Air-Bons are light, airy and will literally melt-in-your-mouth.
Don't buy them, you will be so disappointed!

[Pat73521]

I found the Whitman Air-Bon Mints on the Russell Stover web site: www.russellstover.com . They make Russell Stover, Whitman, and Pangburn candies. You can buy a cellophane bag of Air-Bon mints for $4.99 and it is shiipped out quickly.

[nelsonjazz]

No these are not the same. If you've ever had them before don't order them. You will be wasting your money and be very disappointed.

[Jaz Cooks]

Cracker Barrel restaurants sell them, plus a whole bunch of other "vintage" candy in the shops attached to their restaurants. They sell "rock" candy on the string or stick there too. That stuff was old-fashioned when i was a kid, but we still loved it!

[indyzdanny]

Has been interesting reading all the post on this from the last several years. I too have been searching for this candy. I now know that the Whitman Air Bon was the original and that the new Russel Stover Air Bon's are not correct and are not what everyone wants. Along with Whitman I am sure there must have been smaller less known companies that made these since the ones we use to get at the drug store came in clear celophane packages with a paper strip across that sealed the bag and they were normally priced 2 bags for $1.00 for a pretty good size bag of them (maybe 20 to 25 in the bag). I do not think a Whitman product would have been that inexpensive, but I am not sure of that. Here in Kentucky we had pepermint, spearmint, and butterscotch that I remember. Kind of like the way I like Peeps, I liked the Air Bons when they wold get a little age on them and the humidity would get to them and they would start to shrink and melt on their own and kind of turned taffy like. they would normally do this when they would sit in a candy dish for awhile or in an opened bag over time. Fresh ones were OK, but I liked mine aged just a bit like fine wine! I still miss them and would love for some candy manufacturer to start making the real thing again.

[Big Bad Voodoo Lou]

Sorry to jump in late, but are these anything like "seafoam" or honeycomb toffee candies?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honeycom...

I've never seen mint versions, but the consistency sounds right to me.

[Mousefx]

I've never tried honeycomb candy so I'm not sure of the consistency. The old time Air Bons were almost like a hardened meringue and would melt in your mouth instantly and form a little chewy ball.

[Caralynnross]

OMG..I LOVED those!!!!! My mom bought those all the time from Walgreens. She would buy the butterscotch kind for herself. She would buy us kids the fruit flavor Air Bons which were Cherry, Lime, and Lemon. It was such a unique texture unlike any other candy I've tasted. When you would bite into it ...there was a crunch but as soon as it hit your tongue it melted ....sorta like cotton candy.

[Mousefx]

My sister and I were thinking maybe we could make them out of cotton candy. Roll small pieces into balls and let it harden. It may work!

[Caralynnross]

that just might work! Try it and come back and let us know. lol If so many people have so many fond memories associated with that candy, they should bring it back!

[delstar]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005...

They're called mint puffs. Try the link above. I think this is what you're looking for. They also come in assorted fruit flavor. Simply delicious. Just melts in your mouth. Try the red bird brand one not "Bobs"

[Mousefx]

Sorry so late to reply but no...I have tried Bob's and Red Bird and they are good but not like the old time air bons. They were almost like a hardened meringue and would melt in your mouth instantly and form a little chewy ball. Thank you though!

[Caralynnross]

Yes! exactly! that's the perfect description....a hardened meringue

[nelsonjazz]

Sorry delstar these are NOT Whitman's AirBons. I just ordered a bag and they are just like the mint puffs you buy at the drug store. RS just bought the name and destroyed the old formula or something.

[Mousefx]

I ordered the new Russell Stover Air Bons also and they are NOT the Air bons we remember from way back. They are like Bob's Sweet Stripes. They are not round and they do not instantly melt in your mouth. Silly me ordered 3 bags I was so excited and now I am dissapointed and emailed Russell Stover saying they should not have named them Air Bons...they are not Air Bons! They are still good but not the fluffy delight I had as a child. PLEASE Russell Stover, make the real thing!

[Pat73521]

I ordered two bags of Air Bons from Russell Stover. I was so disappointed. They are absolutely not the ones I was looking for! Why they named these the same as the old ones is beyond me! No comparison!

[MiriamOttawa]

In Canada you can find Zero bar at convenience stores and Dollarmama for .65 cents ea.
Also for many European candy chocodirect.com has a lot of them and the large bags of Haribo (overpriced though) and those "jordan almonds".
Chocodirect.com only ships in Canada though-but shipping is $5 for any order.
-their website is annoying to use and it is easy to spend too much as all the candy is so good!

Nuts Online- they sell tons of the old fashion candy and ship to Canada too.

The candy I can not find in Canada anymore is Special Crisp- now called watchamacalliitsomethingor other bar......

Now there is just the version in the US with Caramel and that ruined it.
Growing up I used to visit the hershey factory in Smith Falls and buy the "damaged" bars very cheap. Also Cherry Blossom candy- you can still get those though.

licorice pipes- Bulk Barn canada sells them and so do many "health food stores",

[unlgrad2002]

Phil, I'm not sure if they will be available online, but Russell Stover / Whitman's is bringing back the Air Bons this summer around mid June. If they aren't available online, they should be available at all Russell Stover retail stores. Not sure where you live, but if you can't find them at a store in your area please let me know and I'll send you a bag. I'd love to confirm what we sell is what you're looking for. **Full disclosure warning** I work for Russell Stover Candies, although not in sales...just proud of our brand. I hope we have what you're looking for! :)

[greeneyedgirly]

Yay! I think this is the candy that I've been looking for!

[amarks007]

When I read your reply saying AirBons would be available this summer I nearly jumped up and down. I was so excited that I emailed RS/Whitman's asking if it's was true and they responded that it was not. : ( They said they currently have no plans to bring back the candy. : (

[unlgrad2002]

I don't want to go broke convincing people I'm telling the truth, but Phil, greeneyedgirly, and amarks007, if there's a way to private message (sorry, I'm not great at this technology thing) shoot me your address and I promise I will send you a bag of RS / Whitman's Airbons. Trust me, they're coming soon!

amarks007, sometimes (ironically) customer service is not up to speed on plans for less than mainstream products. It would not surprise me if they weren't aware this product was coming back since it's most likely going to only be in our retail stores to start. Long term, you never know where you might see it, but believe me, we've got them. Here's a snippet of the bag...

[yayadave]

Listen, don't jeopardize your position to prove a point. Your information will be proven correct in a few months.

[unlgrad2002]

No jeopardization. Check out a store in your area if you have one (I saw them in a KC area store). Otherwise, I will give extremely strong feedback that this product needs to be in major distribution channels. Hope everyone that has been looking for this can grab a bag soon.

[amarks007]

Thanks unlgrad2002! I'm hopeful and will be on the lookout.

[yveyve]

A gentleman who says he works for Russell Stover/Whitman's, posted that Air Bons were going to return to the market at Russell Stover last week. I live just a few miles from a Russell Stover so I went there as soon as the shipment came in. They are indeed called "Air Bons" but they are the same thing as Bob's Sweet Stripes and the many other similar mints out there, unfortunately. They are NOT the super light, airy, literally melt-in-your-mouth mints that I also recall from the 70s that came in peppermint and spearmint and we, as someone else said, like crispy balls of cotton candy. I am so sorry to tell you guys this! But please keep me posted if you do hear about the real thing coming back on the market. Sooooooo good...

[amarks007]

Oh how disappointing. : ( I was so hoping to have those wonderful candies back. Why would they do that? Why would they call them AirBons when they're not the original AirBons? BOO RS/Whitman's!!!

[greeneyedgirly]

Thanks for the info, yveyve.

Wow, I was really looking forward to getting some. Sad face.
Boooooo! Hissssssss! to Russell Stover/Whitman!

[Pat73521]

I just ordered the Whitman's Air-Bon Mints from Russell Stover online at: www.russellstover.com. They are $4.99 per bag and shipped out right away! Give it a shot!

[nelsonjazz]

No they are not. I just ordered them and got them today. They are NOT AirBons and I just sent Russell Stover an irate email.

[jmreese]

It sounds like you are talking about Bobs Peppermint Puffs. You can find these as well as other Bob's products and many other hard to find nostalgic candy at http://www.candycrate.com/bobs-soft-p...

[amarks007]

Thanks for the reply but I've had Bob's and those aren't the ones we're looking for. Thanks anyway though.

[greygarious]

nostalgiccandy.com does not carry what you are looking for, but I recenly came upon it while looking for something else and just mention it because they have neat "decade boxes" which are assortments of candies from many of our childhoods. I now have a gift idea for a friend who really does have everything.

[Hank Hanover]

I have seen what you are describing at Walgreen's. They are red and white candy cane puff balls. Lots of air much lighter than a regular candy cane.

[yooj]

Are you thinking of Old King Leo peppermint balls? I suspect you can find them via Google, and Williams Sonoma sometimes carries them, and the same brand's peppermint sticks, around Christmas time.

[iL Divo]

before I read your post, I thought it was just an inquiry about where to find old fashioned impossible to find candy of yesteryear. I was about to read with enthusiasm.

my thoughts are Cracker Barrel or calling Peggy Sues in Barstow California.

[Hank Hanover]

Yeah, I thought we were gonna be talking about "Black Cows", "peanut butter logs", "Charleston Chews, "Chicken legs", "Pop Rocks", "Fizzies" "Kool aid straws" and "Zero bars".

[iL Divo]

HH^^^I know huh! still hoping anyone will find me a Hollywood bar

[happybaker]

Have you tried Galco's in Highland Park? They have a nice assortment of old fashioned candy.

[iL Divo]

I haven't heard of it HB but I could call them and will~thanks.

rattzo's~not open yet....I'll keep trying.
nope they don't have them thanks anyway.

[Gio]

If anyone is still looking for these candies 2 years later...
The Vermont Village Store sells something surprisingly similar to those described in the thread:
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/br...

[iL Divo]

are those what the OP is seeking?
I've seen those forever everywhere it seems.
now I'll pay attention.

now if anyone can just find me a Hollywood or Hollywoodland Candy bar I'd do 456,947 runs through barrels, buck necket :)

[Beckyleach]

I always called those "peppermint pillows" growing up. Try the (horrendously tacky but occasionally useful) store part of a Cracker Barrel Restaurant. I find lots of vintage candies (and great saltines) there...

[amarks007]

You probably already know this but they were called Air Bons, Whitman's made them. They, however, don't make them anymore and upon emailing them they have no plans to bring them back. I miss them so much. My late grandmother bought them every christmas.

[Smileelisa]

I have purchased a candy like you described at Cracker barrel. they dissolve pretty much as soon as you bite into one. They are little puff balls, white with red stripes and totally yummy. Not sure what they are called. My husband also purchased a big tub of them at CVS I believe. I can't remember the name tho.

[EatmorePilgrimschicken]

Hi Guys, I enjoyed these candies also while growing up in No.Louisiana. The store that sold them then was K & B which has gone out of business. I remember only 2 flavors peppermint and my fav spearmint. I have searched the net and the shops mentioned here and have not found them. Someone said they were made by Elmers candy but they have discontinued their production. Elmers however still makes Easter and other holiday candies. The 2 main things that I recall about them was you had to keep the bag tightly sealed or the candy would lose their crispiness, and everytime you belched you had the freshest breath for days (smile). Happy Hunting and holler if you find them.

[Kelli2006]

There is a vintage candy store on the SE side of Cleveland that also ships their products. It has been featured many times on Food TV.

http://www.sweetiescandy.com/

[PalmerMoose]

I believe that you are talking about Air Bons.

[Sean]

YES! That is what they were called, Air Bons...

[RUNNERFEMME]

Phil - that is so sweet - and i know this post is super late, but try this.
http://oldtimecandy.com/bobs-sweet-st...

i know exactly what she means.

[yayadave]

I’m wondering if you’re looking for something like this.

http://candy.about.com/od/christmascandy/r/mint_meringue.htm

http://www.worldpantry.com/cgi-bin/nc...

[Sean]

I know exactly what you are talking about, they were round and airy and striped. They came in mint and Butterscotch flavors, little smaller than a golf ball and melted in your mouth like meringue. They came in about a 5oz cellophane bag. I used to inhale the buuterscotch flavored ones. I cannot recall the name of the product though...

[bamakerry]

I know exactly what your wife is looking for and it isn't the Red Bird brand or Bob's. My grandmother use to get them and I have been searching for them. They were put out by Brach's and they were wonderful. They came in Peppermint, Spearmint and even Cinnamon. I was buying them every christmas until about 3 or 4 years ago and for some reason I wasn't able to find them any more. Walmart had them for a while and then I found them at Kmart. If you find them let me know and if I find them I will post for you. Those things would melt almost as soon as you got them in your mouth and no need for chewing. You could mash them with your tongue even. They melted almost like cotton candy just not quite as fast as that.

[amarks007]

They were called Air Bons and Whitman's made them. They are no longer available however, they took them off the market.

[gheartoms06]

okay I am not a stalker... I think I solved the problem. If you are from the South, then the candy you are looking for WAS made by Elmer's candy company out of New Orleans. The company exists, however, they discontinued the product. I have written a most persuasive letter, though, encouraging them to make them at least one more Christmas etc. Hope this helps, and you don't think I am crazy.

[Phil_A_Mignon]

You are awesome, gheart ... and the rest of you. What a supportive forum! My condolences for your loss, and please let me know if Elmer's Candy responds to your letter. Thanks so much!

[gheartoms06]

I realize this reply is late, however, I search for these each year, also. This year I was a bit off as my mother died and now this mission is even more intense! These were my grandfather's favorite candies and I remember eating them as a kid (I'm 36). I checked each of these replies and they are all WRONG. The ones you are looking for are still a mystery to me, too. Since I was a kid, I don't remember the brand name, but I do remember these things: they were hard, almost like a ping pong ball, but totally dissolved once in the mouth, they came in a wide cylindrical canister - shape and dimension of a toilet paper roll, and you bought them at - I believe - Walgreens pharmacy. They are NOT, I repeat a Bob's mints product or that Leo Lion thing. If you find out/found out more, would you let ME know?! Thanks a million!
gheartoms

[maggiedaisy]

The person above is absolutely correct! These candies ONLY CAME IN PEPPERMINT AND SPEARMINT AND WERE ROUND ONLY! Not pillow-shaped OR Oval! They were not individually wrapped, they came in a tin and we always had them at Christmas in the 1960's. (I'm 46) As most agree the spearmint ones were the best! I too have searched the internet for the past two years looking for these. Sadly, they are no longer made. They will always be a sweet memory for me and my sister and 2 brothers. The four of us would compete to see how fast we could make it dissolve in our mouths!Which was seconds. Then we'd stick out our tongues to prove who won! Maybe some candy company will make them again one day! If so, I'll be one of their best customers!

[amarks007]

You probably already know due to other responses but just incase... They were called Air Bons and Whitman's made them. They are not available any longer. I along with others havew contacted Whitman's about them and they currently have no plans to bring them back. I think everyone who's looking for them should email Whitmans and ask them to start making them again. If enought people do this they may eventually reconsider.

[Pat73521]

I went online: www.russellstover.com and searched for Whitman's Air-Bon Mints. They have them! $4.99/bag. I don't think there is anything but peppermint flavor. No spearmint. Russell Stover makes Russell Stover, Whitman, and Pangburn candies now.

[coconuts34]

Hi there-

Walgreens carries Bob's Sweet Stripes Soft Peppermints. They are like the melt in your mouth malt ball texture your wife is describing. CVS also carries a similiar mint but they are less melt away. Bob's are delish! Hope you find them.......Cheers

[Anne]

What you're looking for are called "Soft Peppermint Puffs". I've got a bag of them right here in front of me. They are Red Bird Brand---says "Since 1890" and "The ORIGINAL Soft Mint Candy" on the front of the bag. The mints are individually wrapped. The 5.05 oz. bag is $1 at Dollar Tree Stores (known as "Everything's a Dollar" in some locations). You can't miss them---red/white/blue stripes on the bag (Made in the U.S.A.). Made by the Piedmont Candy Co. www.piedmontcandy.com

[dadiva1908]

Hi....this might be a helpful sight as well:

https://ssl2.chi.us.securedata.net/qc...

I agree, this is a great idea!

[MeffaBabe]

Vermont Country Store has a ton of the old fashioned candies, foods and other items... I love this place.
www.vermontcountrystore.com

[spellweaver16]

I <3 VCS, too. Last year I ordered some smoked gouda for my family for Christmas. It never got there and they sent three-year cheddar (they were out of gouda) to replace it, no additional charge.

[javaandjazz]

I believe Hammonds Candy makes them.
http://www.hammondscandies.com/christ...

[MakingSense]

That's probably Bob's peppermints. They're inexpensive and you may be able to find a huge tub of them at a local Walgreen's store or http://www.candywarehouse.com/sweetst... or other websites. They are an oldtime favorite and they do melt in your mouth.
Don't even think of going upscale if this is what she remembers from her childhood. My father adored these and I used to give him an enormous wholesale tub of them several times a year. Then I got hooked on them too...

[anniemax]

WalMart also carries them, both in the regular candy isle and in a larger container in the holiday candy isle, along with peppermint sticks that are also from Bob's for Christmas. I always stock up on them after Christmas at 50% off, since they are one of the few commercial candies made with sugar, since I'm allergic to corn. I also recently found cinnamon ones made by Bob's at Big Lots and Strawberry Cream, Key Lime & Pepermint ones made by King Leo- needless to say, I was in heaven.

Cracker Barrel also carries some of the Bob's 100% sugar peppermints Soft Candy, as they call it, but it may only be the peppermint sticks- I can't remember off the top of my head.

[Cheese Boy]

Sounds like the consistency you're speaking of is similar to that of mints with a jellied center -- the kind you get on your way out of a diner for instance. The mint shell resembles white porous chalk. It dissolves almost immediately in your mouth. Maybe this will help others in identifying what you want.

Johnb might be right on target with the Peppermint puffs ...
Look ---> http://www.hometownfavorites.com/prod...

[Quine]

Also try The Vermont Country Store :
http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/sh...

[johnb]

If it is/was a packaged item sold in stores, you might find it here. But it's best to know a brand name.

http://www.hometownfavorites.com/

In perusing the site, I found something called King Leo Soft Peppermint Puffs. Could that be it?

Good luck. Great idea for a Xmas present BTW.

[tobycat]

Sees candy sells a mint like that. They are fun to crunch then they melt in your mouth. White with red stripes, I believe.

They are called peppermint twists.

http://www.sees.com/Prod.cfm?CatGroup...