When you think of Halloween candy, chocolate usually steals the spotlight—but there’s one chewy, twisty classic that’s been holding strong for nearly a century: Twizzlers. This iconic licorice-style candy has a history that winds back much further than you might think—all the way to before the Civil War!
From Brooklyn Beginnings to a National Favorite
The story starts in 1845, when the Young & Smylie firm began making licorice candies in Brooklyn, New York. Their catalog included everything from licorice lozenges to five-pound tins of pellets, making them one of America’s oldest confectionery companies.
In 1902, Young & Smylie merged with two other companies to form the National Licorice Company, and by 1929, Twizzlers were born. It took a few decades before they really took off, but by the 1960s, Twizzlers were a mainstream favorite. Today, they’re made under the Hershey Company, headquartered in Lancaster, Pennsylvania—the same sweet spot where Hershey’s chocolate magic happens.
A Candy with Ancient Roots
Licorice itself has been used as a sweet treat for thousands of years, with origins tracing back to China and the Middle East. Ironically, only the black Twizzlers actually contain real licorice extract. The rest—like the wildly popular strawberry flavor—are simply “licorice-type” candies.
When Twizzlers expanded their flavor lineup in the 1970s, they introduced strawberry, grape, chocolate, cherry, and watermelon varieties. The gamble paid off—today, about 70% of all Twizzlers made are strawberry.
How the Twist Is Made
If you’ve ever marveled at that perfect spiral design, you can thank some clever candy engineering. Twizzlers are made by pushing ingredients through special rotating nozzles, creating that signature twist and hollow center—with about 15 twists per piece! Hershey’s factories in Memphis, Tennessee and Lancaster, PA produce nearly 200 tons of Twizzlers every single day.
Fun fact: In 1998, Hershey set a Guinness World Record for the longest piece of licorice ever made—an incredible 1,200 feet long!
Sweet Treats and Serious Talks
Twizzlers even played a surprising role in world affairs. During the 2015 Iran nuclear talks, the U.S. delegation reportedly went through 10 pounds of strawberry Twizzlers, alongside 20 pounds of string cheese and 200 Rice Krispies Treats. Turns out, even international diplomacy can use a sugar boost.
Utah’s Sweet Tooth (and Twizzlers Love)
When it comes to candy consumption, Utah takes the crown. Hershey researchers found that Utahns eat nearly twice the national average of candy—perhaps because they skip coffee and alcohol. Twizzlers, in particular, are a huge hit in the Salt Lake City area, earning the state a reputation as the Twizzler Capital of America.
The Great Licorice Divide: Twizzlers vs. Red Vines
No discussion of Twizzlers is complete without mentioning their candy rival: Red Vines. The feud runs deep, with each side swearing loyalty to their favorite red twist. The divide is largely geographic—Red Vines rule the West Coast (they’re made in California), while Twizzlers dominate the East Coast.
As one Red Vines manager put it, “The rivalry is like the Montagues and Capulets—no one remembers how it started, but it’s definitely fan-driven.”
So whether you’re team Twizzlers or team Red Vines, one thing’s for sure: no Halloween candy haul is complete without a little twist.