The Long and Winding History of Peanut Butter Kisses
The story of the peanut butter kiss is a tale of corporate ownership, shifting markets, and the power of nostalgia. While they are now almost exclusively associated with Halloween and Melster Candies, their origins trace back over a century and involved several different candy makers. Understanding their journey helps explain why they became so difficult to find.
The original peanut butter and molasses taffies emerged in the early 1900s, with advertisements appearing as early as 1907. The candy was a simple, affordable treat, and the name "kiss" was a common term for small confections before being famously popularized by Hershey's. However, a very similar product, the Mary Jane candy, developed by Charles N. Miller in 1914, also shared this peanut butter and molasses profile. It is the intertwining history of these two candies that caused much of the confusion.
Over the decades, ownership of these brands changed hands multiple times. The Miller Company, which created the Mary Jane candy, was bought by Stark Candy Company in 1989, which was then acquired by the New England Confectionary Company (Necco) in 1990. For a time, both the Mary Jane and the roundish, orange-and-black-wrapped peanut butter kisses were produced and distributed. The subsequent fall of Necco is the critical event in the story of the vanishing candy.
The Necco Collapse and Its Fallout
By the late 2010s, Necco, a company known for many classic American candies like Necco Wafers and Sweethearts, was in significant financial trouble. In 2018, the company filed for bankruptcy, and its assets were put up for auction. While several brands were purchased, many were left in limbo. The fate of the iconic peanut butter kisses was uncertain, and for a time, production ceased entirely.
This is the point at which many people's childhood memories seemed to have been permanently lost. Store shelves, particularly around Halloween, were empty of the cheap, taffy-like molasses and peanut butter treat. A sense of collective nostalgia and a fear that the candy was gone forever swept through candy lovers and Halloween enthusiasts alike.
The Resurrection of the Kiss
Not all was lost, however. While Necco and its assets were being sold off, another candy company stepped in to save the day for some of these beloved sweets. Today, the only major brand still producing and distributing peanut butter kisses is Melster Candies, a division of Impact Confections. This Wisconsin-based company now produces the signature taffy with the black and orange wax paper wrappers, offering a chance for a new generation to try (or for an older generation to re-experience) the divisive candy. However, the distribution is not as widespread as it once was, which contributes to its relative scarcity.
Why Some People Still Can't Find Them
The difficulty in locating peanut butter kisses comes down to a few key factors:
- Limited Production: Melster Candies produces a smaller volume compared to the height of their popularity when multiple companies were making them.
- Seasonal Availability: For many retailers, they are only stocked during the Halloween season, if at all.
- Shifting Tastes: In an age of high-end, complex confections, the simple, old-fashioned molasses taffy has a limited appeal, making it a niche product.
- Regional Distribution: Some stores and regional suppliers may simply not carry them due to low demand.
The Modern vs. Classic Experience
The history of the candy suggests that the recipe may have changed over time, though proponents of today's versions say they are still true to form. The texture and hardness of the taffy are particularly a point of contention among fans and critics.
| Feature | Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Kisses (Pre-Necco) | Modern Melster Peanut Butter Kisses |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Producer | Charles N. Miller Co., Stark Candy Co., Necco, among others | Melster Candies (Impact Confections) |
| Availability | Wide, especially during Halloween; penny candy store staple | Limited, primarily seasonal and online; harder to find in brick-and-mortar stores |
| Texture | Varied, but often noted as being hard and chewy | Reportedly softer by some, though still a molasses taffy |
| Taste Profile | Classic peanut butter and molasses flavor | Very similar, featuring the same distinct flavor combination |
| Packaging | Signature orange and black wax paper twists | Retains the traditional orange and black wax paper twists |
Conclusion
So, what happened to the peanut butter kisses? They haven't been completely discontinued, but their near-disappearance was a direct result of Necco's 2018 bankruptcy, which temporarily halted production. Thankfully, they were rescued by another company, Melster Candies, which keeps the nostalgic tradition alive. While finding them may require a more targeted search than it once did, the molasses and peanut butter taffies still exist, continuing their legacy as a classic, if divisive, holiday treat.
For those seeking a taste of the past, online retailers like Amazon and specialty candy stores are the most reliable sources. As with any beloved, long-standing treat, the modern version may spark debate among purists, but for many, having them available at all is a win for Halloween nostalgia. The next time you find a bag, you'll know the tumultuous corporate history it survived.
