#26: The 3 Musketeer Candy Bar
This week I've decided to keep it light, since the last three weeks' editions of the blog have been a bit dark. We're taking a look at a candy bar called the "3 Musketeers". Why is this candy bar earning a spot on the ? Well, I ate one earlier today and it was quite a treat, and it's my blog, so there.
The candy bar is produced in the United States of America and Canada, and is something akin to a North American version of a Milky Way chocolate bar. It was introduced to the world of confectionary in 1932, being the third product of the M&M/Mars corporation (can you guess the company's first two products?).
Why is it called "3 Musketeers"? Well, 90-ish years ago each bar had three flavours: chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry, Neopolitan style. This trifecta or flavours was named for the Alexandre Dumas novel, which while enjoyable, doesn't particuarly remind one of candy - maybe D'Artagnan had a sweet tooth?
In 2024, the bar has been reduced to a single flavour: firm & chewy nougat enrobed in chocoalte (yes, candy bars are described as being "enrobed" when they have a chocolate cover). Due to rising costs on sugar during wartime restrictions the vanilla & strawberry were cut, and they've never been able to fight their way back to the table.
Various flavours have been released in recent years, such as Birthday Cake, Orange, Mint, and quite a fun one, Autumn released in 2007. That featured French Vanilla, Mocha Cappuccino and Strawberry - so I guess vanilla and strawberry played the long game?
The bars are produced in Chicago, Illinois; Eliabethtown, Pennsylvania; and Newmarket Ontario. I've been to both Illinois and Pennsylvania and enjoyed my time in both, but I haven't made it to Ontario - but that's okay, because it's only Ontario. In fact I've been to the very county in which Elizabethtown in placed - a beautiful semi-rural area about two hours' drive from Philadelphia. Of course this has nothing to do with the Pacific, but it's still a fun fact (at least for me)
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The bar was advertised on the "Howdy Doody" show back in the 1950s, and in recent years has attempted to establish itself with the younger generation. I first learned about the brand in an early episode of the second season of Stranger Things, so I guess that plan is working?
Anyway, to wrap this up, enjoy a 3 Musketeers candy bar if you have a chance!