Necco Wafers – An American Classic Since 1847

When the New England Confectionery Company first opened its doors in 1847, making candy was still purely a manual trade. Almost 200 years later, Necco somehow clings to that old-world spirit. Yet, it remains among the longest-serving candy makers in America.

You have almost certainly run across the trademark flat wafers-thin. These pale disks seem to divide snackers into devoted fans and bemused onlookers. Necco Wafers are still made in roughly the same way as they were in the 1800s, and a recipe so little changed has outlasted every wave of modernization in the food industry.

It may surprise you, but these plain little wafers quietly served our country during World War II. Their heat resistance and extended shelf life made them ideal for soldiers’ K rations. Imagine troops stationed thousands of miles from home tasting a small reminder of home with every thin disc.

Today, the plant still produces eight familiar flavors—chocolate, lemon, liquorice—and the rest taste just like what your grandparents used to chew. In a world that demands every product be rebooted, a mule-headed candy like this offers rare comfort.

That stubborn streak explains why Necco has outlived so many other beloved brands. Sometimes, real progress simply means sticking with the recipe that already works.