Five Things You Didn’t Know About Necco Wafers
The Necco factory was located in Cambridge, Mass., for decades, not far from where I live in Boston, so I know a lot about this candy. Here are some facts.
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Necco stands for “New England Confectionery Company”
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Necco Wafers are gluten-free.
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Necco Wafers are kosher.
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You can build things out of Necco products.
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If you take a white Necco Wafer and go into a dark room with a friend and chew the wafer, your friend will see sparks inside your mouth. If you feel stupid asking a friend, take a mirror.
For some amusing first-person accounts of folks who’ve actually braved a roll of Necco Wafers, see the Comments section here.
September 8th, 2006 at 3:59 pm
White lifesavers spark in your mouth too!
What’s in the factory building now? I rode my bike by the other day and it still smelled like candy.
September 8th, 2006 at 4:46 pm
I thought Novartis (pharmaceuticals) had moved into the old Necco factory, but I could be wrong! There is still another candy company down near Lechmere. Cambridge had a lot of candy companies at one time!
September 8th, 2006 at 11:14 pm
I love Necco’s especially the licorice ones. Makes me want to run right off and get some tonight. Thanks for the little candy history lesson.
September 9th, 2006 at 5:02 am
I was born, raised and still live about 20 miles north of Boston so Necco wafers are part of my life just as they are for so many New Englanders. I remember a few years back, they announced they weren’t going to make them anymore and there was a general hue and cry. Whatever else they may be, they are a tradition.
September 9th, 2006 at 11:08 am
I haven’t ever know about Necco, but it looks delicious!
I want to thank you so much for your visiting on my page and nice comment!
Have a good Sunday!
September 9th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Hi, Rhea. Thanks for your comment on my blog about caring for my mom. I look forward to following your blog, too. Necco wafers, yes! The factory was at the end of Windsor Street. I think the sign is still there. Maybe the factory is, too. I remember seeing workers resting outside with shower caps still on their heads. You can get Necco wafers from the Vermont Country Store online.
September 9th, 2006 at 2:17 pm
Good stuff!!!! I always have loved Necco wafers but they’re not easy to find in my neck of the woods so when I trip across them, I stock up.
And thanks, Rhea, for inviting me here — you have a wonderful, fun site here & I’ll be visiting a lot! I’m not only a Baby Boomer — I’m an elder stateswoman Boomer! I was born in 1947! lol
Come visit me anytime!!!!!
September 9th, 2006 at 9:32 pm
I grew up on Neccos; a good day was when there was more than ONE of the light brown chocolate wafers in the pack! Orange is my other favorite!
September 9th, 2006 at 10:54 pm
I eat Necco’s at work sometimes. I always save the brown ones for last. the black ones get stacked up on top of my computer monitor because I hate them, and eventually someone comes by and eats them when I’m not there (or maybe just throws them out — I’m not sure!)
September 10th, 2006 at 12:03 am
Thanks for your comment on my site. My husband used to tell me about the Necco sign form his days in college in Boston. Now, if my son makes it into the school of his choice next fall, then, perhaps, I’ll get to see the sign myself — or at lest its former location, if it isn’t there anymore.
September 10th, 2006 at 8:31 am
Your writing is mighty fine — my degree is in journalism, also, and I’m working on a Master’s in media studies…. All the new media is TERRIBLY interesting!!!
And your information is, too!
September 10th, 2006 at 9:34 am
Neccos…I have not had these in years. The only time I actually encountered them, and a host of other unusual, seasonal candies, was on Halloween. I think there was one flavor that had a little spice to it. That color was my favorite.
That’s so cool that they’re Kosher too!
September 10th, 2006 at 1:26 pm
Necco’s were always my Mom’s favorite, and so I grew up on them, too. I had no idea what they stood for. I’m going to get my kids to be the “friend” that watches the sparks fly. Thanks for the tip. It is fun to do silly things with your kids. It keeps you “real” in their eyes.
September 10th, 2006 at 2:25 pm
Just wanted you to know you’re on my blogroll!
MotherPie’s Blogroll and Blog Friends
Cheers
September 10th, 2006 at 9:33 pm
Necco has moved all of its manufacturing to Revere. Their old factory on Mass. Ave. is now the home of Novartis, a pharmaceutical company. The Haviland factory near Lechmere, which Necco acquired a few years ago, is now being turned into condominiums.
There’s still a candy factory on Main Street in Cambridge, which used to be Nabisco’s but now belongs to Tootsie Roll Co.
September 11th, 2006 at 12:07 pm
My favorites are the chocolate ones. When I can find all-chocolate rolls (they’re out there), that’s what I buy. They make a great driving food for long car trips–keeps the attention up!
September 12th, 2006 at 10:38 am
Love your blogs. I’ll try the spark thing the next time I get a hold of some Necco wafers.
September 13th, 2006 at 8:49 am
Hi Rhea! Thanks for dropping by my blog. You are correct we have many things in common. Enjoyable reading too!
Now about those NECCO wafers – they are not just a New England delicacy. Southerners love them too! They have been a favorite along with Smarties since my childhood. Thanks for the smille.