With Halloween coming soon, that means only one thing really: candy.
Anyone who trick-or-treated as a child knows that there's always one or two houses that dish out some obscure candy. So, between now and October 31st, we'll take quick looks at obscure candies (and some popular ones as well), just so you know what exactly you're getting yourself into.
Today: Clark Bar
What it's made of: Chocolate, peanut butter, and an inferiority complex to a Butterfinger.
Who owns it: New England Confectionery Company (Necco)
Background: The Clark Bar (created in 1917) predates the Butterfinger by six years (1923), yet it has a fraction of the popularity. Clearly it's a testament to what multinational corporations like Nabisco and Nestlé can do with regard to marketing--and the fact that both Bart Simpson and Erik Estrada have been Butterfinger spokesmen. No one can deny the allure of Ponch.
 |
| Try not eating a Butterfinger now. |
An Irish immigrant named David L. Clark moved to Pittsburgh, PA, in 1872 as an 8-year old, and as an adult he created a small, regional candy company, mainly focusing on gum products. When Clark was 53-years old, he focused more on chocolate, and came up with a peanut butter and chocolate concoction. Seemingly lacking any imagination, Clark named the bar--well, uhh--after himself.
The candy became mildly popular in the northeastern United States for decades, but, admittedly always lacked the scorching hot sex appeal of Erik Estrada.
Today, promotion of the Clark Bar is a bit touchy. As the Necco website says, "Clark isn't the average candy you share with your grandmother. Made with REAL chocolate and REAL peanut butter, Clark Bar is a powerful, great-tasting treat that not just anyone can handle."
Sounds like someone is overcompensating.
What it tastes like: A Butterfinger with deep-seeded emotional issues.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Grade: B
It's the candy for people looking to save a buck or two at Halloween. Butterfingers are overpriced, but someone's got to pay Ponch.
No comments:
Post a Comment