Most people have fond memories of the candy they ate as a child, but all too often, finding the treats can be a daunting task—especially for those on the far side of 40.

Enter CandyDirect.com. The online candy retailer bills itself as “the oldest confectionery company on the Web (operating since 1997) and a leading provider of nostalgic and popular confections, including bulk and hard-to-find candies.” Another alluring pitch is the promise that the company sells a full line of classic candy bars from leading manufacturers.

Jim Esposito, owner of CandyDirect.com, is enthusiastic about the 400 “vintage” candies he sells. Most are made by small companies that have depended on strong regional customer bases to survive.

“People just love old, nostalgic things. The trend is that we’re definitely seeing more interest in the old-time candies. People will search far and wide for them,” Esposito told Foodie News.

Finding your favorite candy to order on the site is easy, as the treats are organized by decades (1950s through 1990s), as well as by type, color, flavor, size and shape.

It’s no surprise that Esposito loves all things related to sweets...eating them, selling them, talking about them and exploring their history. He often asks people he meets or talks to on the phone to name their favorite candy. He enjoys pinpointing someone’s age (or at least the decade when they were born) based on the answer.

For example, “Virtually everyone who names one of the sour candies as a favorite is younger than 35,” Esposito said.

Necco Wafers, Raisinets and Oh Henry! were big in the 1950s. If you like Bit-O-Honey, Big Hunk or Bazooka Bubble Gum…you’re most likely a child of the 1960s. Whatchamacallit, Abba-Zaba and Bottle Caps dominated the 1970s. Gummi Bears, Reese’s Pieces and Sour Patch Kids Candy rocked the 1980s. Ice Breakers Gum, Altoids Mints and Reese’s NutRageous Bar captured much of the candy dollar in the 1990s.

Demand for vintage candies is strong and continues to grow, according to Esposito, but some companies are making changes to beloved favorites with an eye toward the future.

In February the New England Candy Confectionary Company, manufacturer of Sweethearts Conversation Hearts, unveiled modern ways to say “I Love You.”

Through an online contest, Americans voted on 10 new sayings for the tiny candy hearts—with “Tweet Me” and “Text Me” at the top of the list. Updated flavors like green apple, blue raspberry, strawberry, lemon, grape and orange were developed to tempt the current generation of candy lovers. More vibrant colors and a softer texture billed as “more fun to eat” round out the changes made to Sweethearts in 2010, which were first sold 145 years ago.

There’s something all American about popcorn. It truly is a patriotic snack.

No trip to a ball game or a movie is complete without popcorn. And kettle corn is always a hit at farmers’ markets, fairs and festivals. What’s more, scout troops, ball teams and 4-H clubs all across the country often rely on selling popcorn as a fundraising tool.

With spring just around the corner, a number of groups are gearing up fundraising plans, which means you may see more Cub Scouts or Little Leaguers outside your local grocer hawking tins of popcorn.

Many companies are in business to help folks who want to sell popcorn to raise money for a worthy cause. Among them is Popcorn Palace that offers 27 popcorn flavors, including caramel popcorn, chocolate-covered caramel popcorn and tangy cheese popcorn.

Popcorn Palace provides fundraising advice and assistance to its customers, who can also select designer popcorn tins or flavor-sealed bags. Customers can also create their own specialized tins in various sizes. To learn more, check out their Web site at www.popcornpalace.com.

According to the Popcorn Board, Americans eat about 16 billion quarts of popcorn per year. That’s 52 quarts per man, woman and child.

The Popcorn Board is gearing up for National Popcorn Poppin’ Month in October. October is chosen because it marks the triumphant end to the labor of the spring and summer months. Harvest fairs and festivals and football are in full swing in October, and popcorn is a key part of the fun.

To learn more about popcorn, check out the Popcorn Board’s Web site at www.popcorn.org.

Spices and herbs are extremely rich in antioxidants, with levels comparable to many fruits and vegetables. Cinnamon vies for top billing along with blueberries and pomegranate juice.
That’s the latest word from McCormick, the herb and spice company, whose products dominate the spice aisle in every supermarket. McCormick is heralding “Spices for Health” on its Web site at http://www.mccormick.com/SpicesForHealth/SevenSuperSpices.aspx. And there is much to learn!

Spices make food taste great and can help you eat healthier by reducing the amount of salt, fat and sugar needed when cooking. But did you know that there is now evidence that each spoonful of spices and herbs may help protect your health by boosting the antioxidant power of practically everything on your plate?

Antioxidants provide a range of benefits, including giving our immune system a boost. They also appear to reduce inflammation, which is increasingly recognized as the first step in heart disease, cancer, diabetes and other chronic diseases.

7 Super Spices

Cinnamon
Cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any spice, even more than many foods. One teaspoon of this ancient spice taken from the inner bark of tropical trees has as many antioxidants as a cup of pomegranate juice or one-half cup of blueberries. Beyond antioxidants, cinnamon is also rich in natural compounds called polyphenols. These compounds appear to act like insulin in our body and may help regulate blood sugar levels—good news for people with diabetes.

Ginger
Derived from the ginger root, did you know one teaspoon of ginger has as many antioxidants as a cup of spinach? The potential benefits appear to be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of gingerol, one of the active ingredients in ginger. Some studies suggest gingerol may work like certain anti-inflammatory drugs (such as aspirin and ibuprofen) by inhibiting an enzyme that causes inflammation. Research also indicates that ginger may offer pain relief for everything from arthritis to nausea and migraines.

Oregano
Oregano has one of the highest antioxidant levels of all of the dried herbs. Just one teaspoon of dried oregano leaves has as many antioxidants as three ounces of almonds and one-half cup of chopped asparagus. The active compound rosmarinic acid appears to be responsible for the strong antioxidant activity in oregano. Researchers are continuing to explore the use of oregano in various food applications to inhibit bacterial growth.

Red Peppers
The powerful compound capsaicin in peppers gives chiles their heat and is packed with antioxidants. The hotter the pepper, the more antioxidants it contains. Cayenne or ground red pepper contain the most antioxidants but all red peppers, including chili powder and the milder paprika, are also good sources.

Rosemary
Rosemary is a distinctive aromatic herb that is packed with flavor and antioxidants. Rosemary is a great flavor enhancer in marinades, breads, mashed pototatoes and green vegetables.

Thyme
A teaspoon of thyme contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a carrot or a one-half cup of chopped tomatoes. Thyme also contains beneficial compounds called flavonoids that increase the herb’s antioxidant capacity and may offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Some studies suggest the antioxidants in thyme may help maintain cognitive function and promote heart heatlh as we age.

Yellow Curry
The deeply hued spice turmeric found in yellow curry powder is a concentrated source of antioxidants on the same level as strawberries, raspberries and cherries. A teaspoon of curry powder, which is a blend of turmeric and other spices, has as many antioxidants as one-half cup of red grapes. Curcumin, the bright yellow compound in turmeric, has been found to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, reduce inflammation and safeguard the brain. In preliminary studies, curcumin helped diminish the development of destructive brain plaques. As a result, researchers believe yellow curry may offer the potential to protect against Alzheimer’s disease.