They were once a New England tradition, as popular and yet as puzzling as Moxie. They were gone – but now they are back.

What are they? Necco Wafers.

Spangler Candy of Byran, OH, started production of the venerable confectionary this past summer and now Necco Wafers are being distributed around the country.    

The candy wafers are still wrapped in a waxed paper container. The flavors are still the same – although the company’s website maintains it has improved the chocolate flavor.

Having tried a package, I can attest the new product is just like the old product. The choices are still lemon (yellow), lime (green), orange (orange), clove (light purple), cinnamon (white), wintergreen (pink), licorice (dark grey) and chocolate (brown).

Like most, I have favorite flavors – chocolate, orange, lemon and lime – and can barely tolerate others, such as wintergreen. They still are the size of a quarter and they still have their legendary chalky texture.

And they are still as divisive as ever. You either love them or hate them. Posting the news of the return of the candy on Facebook, people had varied responses. One person wrote, “When? Where? Who?!!!!! These are my favorite! (Of course, because they’re flavored sugar). Another person wrote, “Plugging some holes in your sheetrock?”

In a written statement, Kirk Vashaw, CEO of Spangler Candy Company said, “Just when comfort food is experiencing a resurgence, Necco Wafers is back with that very kind of familiar, comfortable feeling we all seem to be craving. We are delighted to bring Necco Wafers back into production and to share in their sweet return with fans old and new.”

Spangler has been a family owned and operated candy company since 1906.  Its best known for its Dum-Dums lollipop brand. Other products include Saf-T-Pops, Spangler Circus Peanuts, Sweethearts and Canada Mints.

Originally developed in 1847, the wafers were produced by NECCO or the New England Confectionery Company. NECCO also produced Sky Bars, Haviland Thin Mints, Sweetheart Conversation Hearts, and Clark Bars.

NECCO went out of business in 2018 and the brands were sold off to other companies in an auction. Spangler Candy purchased the wafers and the conversation hearts that year.

The company reported that long history of the candy: “In 1847, a young English immigrant and progressive thinker, Oliver Chase, invented the first American candy machine, a lozenge cutter. After a period of initial success selling his exciting new candy, he joined forces with brother, Silas Edwin and founded Chase and Company.

“In 1901, Chase and Company merged with both Forbes, Hayward & Company and Wright & Moody to officially form the New England Confectionary Company, or NECCO. Over the years, NECCO prospered and produced many well-known products, but its success was propelled by its most beloved candy: Necco Wafers.

“From the time of their creation, Necco Wafers have been enjoyed all over the world, quite literally. They were carried by soldiers during the Civil War. In 1913, explorer Donald MacMillan took Necco Wafers on his Arctic explorations, sharing them with Eskimo children.

“Later in the 1930s, two and a half tons of Necco Wafers were taken on an expedition to the South Pole, which amounted to about a pound a week for each person during their two-year stay.

“During World War II, the U.S. Government requisitioned a major portion of the production of Necco Wafers. The candy was perfect for shipping to troops overseas since it doesn’t melt and is very portable.”

The candy has been spotted in Springfield and the company reports the wafers should be available at Walgreen’s, CVS, Dollar General and Cracker Barrell, among others. They also can be purchased online. For more information, go to https://www.spanglercandy.com/our-brands/necco-wafers.