The Ice Cream Business

 A fascinating look at what goes into making Ben and Jerry's ice cream.

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Candy News

That 20 year old Twinkie you're eating, you might want to stop. Learn more about that, and other sad food truths.

Luck Charms is turning 50, and they're planning all kinds of fun stuff to celebrate, all I need is a box and a bowl myself.

A few years back I had to give up two jars of peanut butter that I had in some carry on luggage because they defined it as a liquid. This guy figured a way around this.

CNN has been researching the cocoa industry for a few years now, unfortunately what they've found isn't that nice, but it could be fixed.

I've always wondered how many candycritic.org readers are pot heads, according to this article it could be quite a few.

If you want to keep up with all of the daily candy news that we come across as it happens, follow us on Twitter.

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Breaking News!!!! Hostess is Going Out Of Business!!!

They're not filling for chapter 11 (which means that they're still open but losing money), Hostess is going out of business permanently!  Or at least that's what the press is saying.  That means that unless another company buys the recipe/rights Twinkies are no more.  So start hording them!!!

You can read more here, and here.  And you can learn about some of the products they make here.

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Wednesday's Candy Links

From the probably not a great candy idea file comes "Edible Deodorant Candy"

New Zealand isn't so keen on what people consider to be "trendy" chocolate, I'm not sure if that's a good or bad thing for them.

Soft drinks can make you one of the richest people in the whole world, well you also need an empire of other companies as well, but soft drinks started it.

The creator of mochi ice cream has died, if you've never had mochi ice cream then you're missing out on something... well strange but special as well.

This isn't the first time I've heard about a kid stealing money to buy candy, this is however the largest sum of money I've ever heard.

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Classic/Creative Candy Advertising - Potato Money

I think Boing Boing, the place where I found this ad, said it best "Why aren't you turning potatoes into cash RIGHT NOW?".

Click here to see what else Boing Boing had to say about this awesome advertisement.

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Monday's Candy Links

If you find yourself in the UK this weekend, keep an eye out for some Jubilee themed treats.

Flavours are starting to get more and more specific, now you not only can enjoy a strawberry flavoured treat, but a particular variety of strawberry flavoured treat.

Well I guess I'm not going to be a doctor, it appears that some scientists think sugar can make you dumb.

Have you ever wondered why some of your (and your friends) favorite new candies get pulled off the market, well wonder no more.

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Friday's Candy Links

I like it when a candy company puts serious thought into their boxes, but only if they're putting more thought into the candy.

So what does this article about a new technology in candy panning have to do with your candy fix?  Well it might improve the crunch on your gum balls.

Candy as a marketing tool, as long as people remember to write down your phone number before they eat your edible business card, it's great.

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Are Free Samples Really a "Trend"?

I love free samples, in fact the number 1 reason I keep working on this site is the free samples, it sure as heck isn't the money it generates.  The two packages above are some free rusk cracker things I received while taking a walk around the Acropolis in Athens.  I don't review crackers or bread, but I'm sure as heck happy to get free samples.  I'm also fairly certain that I would not have tried these crunchy toast snacks had they not been given to me.  That basically means there is no way I would have ever even considered buying this product without the free sample.

Having said all of that, in the food industry there is a great deal of talk about if consumers do or do not react well to samples.  Really?.. Why in the world would people not react well to samples?  Here's some free _______, are you happy?  Taking away the free candy samples I get for this site, I have to say that samples are one of the driving forces behind me buying any new products.  If you give me something to try, and it's good, I will most likely buy it again in the future.  I'm convinced that the experts that say samples don't work, area people selling crappy products.  Sure you're putting yourself out there giving product away, but if you're not putting out something good, then you should be out of business, case closed.

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Friday's Candy Links

Cadbury is taking away chocolate to keep prices down.  Would you be happy with less chocolate, or would you rather have more of a lower quality?

How the chocolate market works, a really simple explanation that will help explain why chocolate prices are going up.

After all of this talk about the price of chocolate going up, you might want to have a chocolate tasting party, but have it soon or you might not be able to afford it.

Are you in or around Pasadena?  Well make sure to stop by the Los Angeles Luxury Chocolate Salon this Saturday.

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Candy In India

Although the article below is a little dry and full of "candy business" stuff, it's still really fascinating to hear about how the candy industry works in other countries.  Most people assume that candy is the same all over the world, and more importantly they assume that the candy world is the same as wherever they happen to live.  This could not be further from the truth, candy all over the world is so unique and classic treats in one place are completely unknown in others.

Click here to read about the candy business in India.

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Chocolate Worker to Chocolate Maker

Adrian Smith is a man that loves chocolate.  He started working for a chocolate company, then he went off on his own to create his own chocolate creations.  Chocolate is truly the business that people never want to leave.

Click here to read about Adrian's business, Mortimer Chocolate.

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Food Is A Big Industry In Canada

According to this article, the food industry in Canada is actually one of the biggest industries in Canada.  More people are making food in Canada than other things, like Blackberries (although the name sounds like a food) and auto parts.  Best of all one of the top food makers in Canada is Honibe, a company that makes some of the best honey candies I've ever had the pleasure of eating.

Click here to read more about the food industry in Canada.

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A Great Story About a Woman In The Candy Business

Here's yet another story of a very well educated person who (sensibly) discovers the joys of being in the candy business.  It's a great story about how the love of caramel and a few simple recipes changes someones life.

Click here to read more.

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Man Buys Candy Business, Man Is Happy Now

I read so many stories about people who aren't happy with their lives and then one day they decide to get into the candy business, and things get better.  I'm not saying that getting into the candy business is the cure all answer for everybody, but if you're feeling down, think about it.

Click here to read a really nice story.

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Do You Want To Work For a Candy Company?

Well this interview in the Globe and Mail might give you some ideas as to the real life workings of corporate candy moguls.  The article features an interview with the communications manager at Mars and asks her what it's really like to work at a place that makes candy.  It seems like a pretty cool place to work, and it must be true considering two candy companies (including Mars) have been rated the top places to work in Canada.

Click here to read the interview.

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Nestle Is Doing Well I Think

According to this article Nestle is doing so well  that many banks really want to give them loans. In fact according to the article, Nestle's credit rating is better than some European countries.

Click here to read more.

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Chicago the Candy Capital Of The World

Many people don't know that Chicago is one of the largest candy manufacturing cities in the world. A huge amount of candy business goes on there, the largest candy show in North America takes place there. Even look at the baseball stadium "Wrigley Field". Apparently there's going to be a show at the University of Chicago commemorating the candy business in Chicago. It might be worth checking out to learn how important this town is to the candy industry.

Click here for more info.

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Candy Warehouses

If you've never had the opportunity to walk through a warehouse full of candy I highly recommend it. The smell of candy permeates through the air, and if samples are offered your day has only gotten better. You also may discover, or re-discover, a candy that will make you smile.

Click here to read about a candy warehouse tour.

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Financial Troubles at Necco

It's always sad when a candy mainstay is being threatened with closure. It's even sadder when the closure is not from people's lack of interest in the candy, but bad investments and financial troubles that are unrelated. I sure hope someone can come and help these guys out, because they make some of the greatest classic American candy ever.

Click here to read more about Necco's financial troubles.

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Top Global Brands

I just checked out this list of the top 100 global brands in the world and I was a little shocked by the lack of candy companies. Sure Coca-cola was number one but the highest ranking non-drink candy manufacturer was Nestle at number 57. Companies like Cadbury and Kraft didn't even make the list at all.

Click here to check out the list.

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