Tuesday, August 8, 2006

Necco Mint Julep

Here’s a candy that never entered into my field of candy vision: the Mint Julep. In fact, until about a year ago, I’m not sure I knew these existed. It’s not like I’m mint-blind. I guess what brought these into my realm was a new push by Necco to introduce them to new generations. That and there was a huge barrel of them at the All Candy Expo’s freebie room.

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Frankly, I was afraid they were going to be like Mary Janes and pull out my teeth or something. Or maybe they were going to be like mint-flavored Starbursts.

But here’s what they are: they’re spearmint taffy.

They were nice. Not super strong tasting, very soft and chewy and pleasant. They didn’t rock my world, but I think they have a solid place in it now. They’re a really satisfying little candy - larger than a Starburst and in a flavor you’re not going to get anywhere else in this format. I can’t see myself buying a tub of these online or anything, but I would pick up one or two after brunch or something at the local diner to clear my palate.

Mint Juleps are also known as Southies and were made by the Squirrel company that also makes Nut Zippers. They are most often sold in little tubs by the register at convenience stores and diners. (This type of retailing is called “changemakers” as people will often spend the change from their bill on little items. The tubs are placed in places where it makes sense for such an impulse buy.) They were introduced in the 30s and then disappeared back in the nineties as the company was bought out and went through some changes. Necco brought them back about a year ago.

In case you were wondering what’s in the drink also called a Mint Julep, it’s simple syrup with some muddled spearmint sprigs in it, then combined with Bourbon and served over ice with more mint.

Mint Juleps are gluten free according to the Necco website (and the drink probably is too!).

Name: Mint Julep
    RATING:
  • 10 SUPERB
  • 9 YUMMY
  • 8 TASTY
  • 7 WORTH IT
  • 6 TEMPTING
  • 5 PLEASANT
  • 4 BENIGN
  • 3 UNAPPEALING
  • 2 APPALLING
  • 1 INEDIBLE
Brand: Necco
Place Purchased: All Candy Expo samples
Price: $.10 each
Size: unknown
Calories per ounce: unknown
Categories: Chew, United States, Necco, Mint

POSTED BY Cybele AT 6:04 am Tracker Pixel for Entry    

Comments
  1. They’re lind of like the OAP’s “crazy” treat. You know, when you see old folks in the supermarket with baskets full of white bread, cornflakes and tripe. They’ve usually stuck ruthlessly to the most uninteresting candy available for nigh on 50+ years, then occasionally, at christmas say, they will break out the mildly flavoured CHEWY treats.

    That being said, my grandma adores sugared/Jordan almonds, which are absolutely divine.

    Comment by GTO on 8/08/06 at 7:54 am #
  2. Hmmm…I normall detest all things spearmint but for some reason I want to try these…

    Comment by Alex on 8/08/06 at 12:05 pm #
  3. Minty taffy, that sounds kind of good.  But I see you got these at the Expo, and I’ve never seen them around here, so I probably won’t be able to find any.

    Comment by Julilla on 8/09/06 at 12:15 pm #
  4. More shock & awe from that purveyor of nastiness-Necco!  I would be afraid that they’d be like Mary Janes, too, but not because either would ever get the chance to pull one of my beautiful teeth.  Mary Janes manage to take the promise and pleasure of tastiness out of peanut butter, so I would avoid anything that I thought could be similar.

    Comment by Dave on 8/11/06 at 1:43 am #
  5. I love the sound of these! I haven’t seen them in these parts yet, but I’d love to give them a try. Mint is one of my all-time favorite flavors. When I was a kid, I used to scarf down buckets of Menthos. I even liked those little round white mint candies that look like Menthos but aren’t chewy.

    Comment by Muse on 8/12/06 at 2:28 pm #
  6. I have been looking for these for 30 years!!  They were my absolute favorite candy when I was growing up.  They are really good frozen, too.

    Comment by M.A.A. on 8/15/06 at 8:29 pm #
  7. Gentleman & Ladies:
    Do you manufacture any type of soft or mint type candy with the flavor of Dairy Queen Vanilla Ice Cream type flavor.
    Thank you,
    John Penney

    Comment by John Penney on 8/27/06 at 5:00 pm #
  8. where can I find these mint juleps (Southies)

    Comment by ggc on 12/06/06 at 12:46 pm #
  9. Cybele's avatar

    ggc - since you left no indication of where you live, I can only recommend online places:

    http://store.yahoo.com/candywarehouse/mintjulep.html

    http://candyfavorites.com/shop/shopexd.asp?id=2431&pname=Mint+Juleps

    http://www.candydirect.com/bulk/Mint-Julep.html

    http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=9393&itemType=PRODUCT&RS=1&keyword=mint+julep

    I hope that helps!

    Comment by Cybele on 12/06/06 at 12:53 pm #
  10. I loved these as a kid then they just dissapeared I have always look for them in bulk candy and penny candy places over the years with no luck
    any idea where I can find them besides online

    Comment by Joanne on 3/22/08 at 9:15 am #
  11. Any chance Mint Julips are available in the Cincinnati area.  I do remember them as Southies when I lived in Maryland as a child.  Been looking for them for years.

    Comment by Pattie on 7/02/08 at 5:37 am #
  12. These are not bad,but not even close to Southies as I remember them.Southies were much more flavorful and not as soft.I had both of my brothers try Mint Juleps and they both agreed with me.As a kid,I bought Southies every time I had a couple of pennies in my pocket.I don’t think I would have ever bought Mint Juleps more than once.

    Comment by Tom on 11/30/08 at 11:50 am #
  13. These are delicious.  Used to buy them side by side with Banana Splits (banana taffy squares) growing up in the 60’s).

    Comment by Steve on 7/18/09 at 4:43 am #
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