Brach’s Pick a Mix

Candy dishes were a common sight in the 1970s home, especially at Grandma’s house. Back then, sugar was king, and nothing said “Welcome!” like a piece of candy to visitors. Of course, these little candy morsels could also be used as convenient bribes to unruly or unmotivated children. “Do this for me, and you can have a piece of candy.”

Many items could be found in these candy dishes. Around Easter time, you might see jelly beans. Christmas of course meant ribbon candy. And the easiest way to fill that dish with treats that anyone would love was to head to the local supermarket and fill up a Pick a Mix bag with Brach’s Candy.

These convenient displays, usually located around the produce section for some reason, had a vast assortment of confections so that everyone could find a favorite. Sold by the pound, this candy was enormously popular, and rather delicious, I might add.

The Brach’s Candy Company turned 120 years old this year, one of the oldest confection companies in America. Two of their most popular candies are still going strong to this day – Candy Corn and  Sweethearts. They introduced the “Pick a Mix” concept in 1958 to encourage shoppers to buy their products by the pound. The ability for consumers to pick and choose their favorites caught on quick and it wasn’t long before supermarkets began displaying the familiar purple and pink striped displays, labeled as the “Brach’s Candy Shop”.

What could one expect to find in this vast assortment? Well, there were plenty of traditional favorites such as butterscotch and peppermint discs, but there were also unique favorites that evoke some strong memories among candy aficionados:

Royals – These soft, flavored caramels were quite popular. Flavors included vanilla, chocolate, buttered rum, maple and raspberry.

Sundaes – Three layers of sugary goodness all packed into one cube-shaped candy. The layers consisted of chocolate, coconut, and strawberry.

Jelly Nougats – Small pockets of flavored jelly trapped within a gob of mouthwatering nougat. What’s not to love?

Perky – similar to Sunkist Fruit Gems, these were rectangles of fruit flavored jelled candy, coated in sugar for extra sweetness.



If you have any fond memories of picking out your own special sack of Brachs Pick a Mix at the local grocery store as a kid, we’d love to hear your memories in the comments section below!

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