The 1970s Fizzy Candy Nobody Seems To Eat Anymore

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The history of candy is filled with sweets that had a brief, glorious heyday and gradually faded into obscurity as trends got away from them. Just look at Mr. Bones, the puzzle candy that fell off the radar after it was created in the 1970s, or the long list of discontinued candy bars that nobody even remembers anymore. One '70s candy that's technically still on the market but markedly obscure is ZotZ. It came to America courtesy of confectioner Frank Landrey, who gifted neighborhood kids with some fizzy candy he'd brought home from a trip to Italy. The kids went wild for the candy, and a confectionary sensation was born.

ZotZ is a hard candy that, when bitten, releases a fizzy, sour center. Its closest cousin is Pop Rocks, thanks to a similar startling crackle you'll feel when you eat it. According to a close reading of its ingredients list, the sour center of ZotZ is a mix of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as well as malic and tartaric acid, the latter of which are some of the ingredients that make sour candy so sour. ZotZ is actually older than Pop Rocks, having been released in 1968 under the majestic-sounding name "ZotZ Fizz Power Candies." Even today, they are made in Italy by G.B. Ambrosoli of Como, a family-owned company. In the U.S., Landrey's employer, Andre Post of Connecticut, distributes them. On Amazon, you can find a variety bag of ZotZ containing all six fruit flavors. Don't be surprised, however, if nobody else knows what the heck they are.

Adults of a certain age grew up with ZotZ and appreciate this candy when they can find it. Amazon reviews rave about the nostalgia factor, with many buyers swooning over the fun, fruity taste of the candy. "If you're a fan of fizzy candies, then you're in for a real treat!" reads one such overjoyed consumer. "Let me just say, these delightful treats have taken my taste buds on an unforgettable journey!" Another gushed, "One of my favorite candies as a kid, these are a throwback to the 80's! The tastes are just like back in the day, these sweet hard candies with the fizzy sour inner parts are a fun treat!" Meanwhile, on TikTok, a comment broke it down succinctly: "[Z]otz are a top tier childhood snack."

If ZotZ are so good, then why are they so obscure? First of all, it seems that there may be room for only one sour, fizzy candy on the market, and Pop Rocks stole that spot. Additionally, ZotZ are hard to find, showing up randomly in old-fashioned candy shops, which may be few and far between. That may be because of the single, small factory that makes them, which means there simply isn't enough production to supply a wide array of retailers. In any case, ZotZ are something of a rare item, but many declare them to be a real treat when you come across them.