Time Tested (Chocolate) Turtles - Candy Favorites (2024)

Table of Contents
Turtle Time Sources: FAQs

by Laurnie Wilson

Time Tested (Chocolate) Turtles - Candy Favorites (1)Nothing is quite as satisfying as the time-tested combination of caramel, nuts, and chocolate. These three, simple ingredients are the backbone for a plethora of beloved candies. But no candy manages to use these three ingredients quite as well as DeMet’s Turtles.

Arguably the one of the earliest purveyors of the caramel-nut-chocolate trio, DeMet’s truly is a classic. And if you don’t know this sweet history, then you’ve been missing out! So read on to find out more.

Turtle Time

Time Tested (Chocolate) Turtles - Candy Favorites (2)As with all of America’s best candies, DeMet’s has its origins in the early 1900’s. It was in 1916 in the windy city of Chicago that George DeMet brought the Turtle to life. Back then it only came in one variety, which was caramel, pecans, and chocolate. Since peanuts tended to be the nut of choice in candies, we imagine that using pecans must have been quite scandalous!

But, it was probably the pecan that helped the candy get its name. After all, with its round and slightly bumpy shape, it’s no wonder that everyone thought this little candy looked just like a real turtle! And we couldn’t agree more!

These days, the Turtle is a busy fellow. In fact, he now comes in more flavor varieties than ever before! That’s right, Turtle lovers! Now you can get your Turtle fix with the cashew, sea salt caramel, dark almond, or hazelnut varieties!

Slow and Steady

Time Tested (Chocolate) Turtles - Candy Favorites (3)And while the company may have changed hands over the years, it has never changed the top-notch quality of its treats.

These days, Yildiz Holding, the current owners of DeMet’s Turtles, sells over 81 million candy products each year. In order to sustain that amount of production, they use 7,000 tons of chocolate coating and 13,000 tons of nuts! That’s quite a lot of candy, isn’t it?

And in case you were starting to worry about the longevity of your favorite snack, never fear! The Turtle, true to its name, doesn’t seem to be going anywhere fast.

Sources:

  • https://www.demetscandy.com
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtles_(chocolate)
  • https://www.ehow.com/info_8790594_did-its-name-its-history.html
  • https://www.candyblog.net/blog/item/demets_turtles
Time Tested (Chocolate) Turtles - Candy Favorites (2024)

FAQs

Who made the original chocolate turtle candy? ›

1916. With an unforgettable shape and unique ingredients, Chicago candy maker, George DeMet struck gold with Turtles® caramel nut clusters in 1916. DeMet's Madison Street candy shop took the chocolate industry by storm by revolutionizing the classic sweet treat of chocolate-dipped-pecans.

What is another name for turtle candy? ›

Whether you call them chocolate turtles or bear claws, these decadent treats that combine chocolate, caramel, and pecans have delighted people of all ages for decades.

Why is the candy called a turtle? ›

Developed in 1918 by DeMet's Candy Company, these delectable bites were made of pecan pieces that were coated in caramel and then enveloped inside a glob of gourmet chocolate. And why were they called turtles? Because they actually looked like turtles with a large, chocolate covered shell.

What does chocolate turtle taste like? ›

Notes of Creamy Caramel, Pecans, and Rich Milk Chocolate.

What kind of chocolate is Turtles? ›

Each irresistible piece of TURTLES® is made using the classic recipe of rich milk chocolate, smooth caramel, and delicious pecan pieces. It's no wonder TURTLES® have been a Canadian Christmas favourite since 1949.

What is the oldest candy brand ever? ›

Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie in Salem is the oldest, continuously operated candy company in America, and much of its early history was rooted in Peabody. In 1806, Mrs. Spencer began selling gibralters, a hard sugar candy, from her wagon in Salem.

What candy was created in 1983? ›

For over three decades, people have been tasting the rainbow every time they snack on these chewy, fruity candies. 1983 – Nerds. These tiny candies are offered in several fun flavors, like Grape and Apple Watermelon, and have been a beloved treat for years. 1985 – Sour Patch Kids.

What is the old name for turtles? ›

The name Tortuga, documented in 15th century writings, then became tortuce/tortuse, based on the French tortue, and eventually settled on one of the many variant spellings circulating in the late-16th century, tortoise. This word encompassed all species: land-, marsh-, river- and marine tortoises.

What is turtle slang for? ›

= I need to go to the toilet. “to turtle” – I need to turtle”= it means that you have to defecate so badly that in the strain to hold it in, a little bit of it pokes out, and then slides back in after a few minutes. Hope that helps you!

What is turtle meat called? ›

Turtle soup, also known as terrapin soup, is a soup or stew made from the meat of turtles. Several versions of the soup exist in different cultures, and it is often viewed as a delicacy.

What are the ingredients in turtles original? ›

Ingredients. Milk Chocolate (sugar, Modified Milk Ingredients, Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Mass, Soy Lecithin, Natural Vanille Flavour, Salt), Caramel (glucose, Sugar, Modified Milk Ingredients, Water, Modified Palm Oil, Salt, Natural Vanilla Flavour), Pecans. May Contain Peanuts And Other Tree Nuts.

How long are chocolate turtles good for? ›

To Store: Keep the best chocolate turtles in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. To Freeze: Place on a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place in the freezer for one hour. After this point, you can store them in a freezer Ziploc bag for 2-3 months.

What candy is named after an animal? ›

Candy magnate Frank Mars named the Snickers bar after one of his horses.

What animal is in candy? ›

Gelatin–which is made by boiling skin, tendons, ligaments, and bones of animals, usually pigs or cows–can be found in many chewy candies, such as gummy bears, marshmallows, candy corn, and Star Bursts.

Why is it called a turtle brownie? ›

The shape of them with a hump of caramel in the middle resembles a turtle shell, hence the name. I've turned one of my favorite fudgy cocoa brownie recipes into the ultimate decadent treat by adding pecans, chocolate chips and drizzles of salted caramel to deliver a nostalgic taste of that famous confection!

What is white turtle flavor? ›

Vanilla Ice Cream, Caramel & Pecans.

Are turtles good chocolate? ›

Top reviews from Canada

Each bite is a symphony of flavors and textures that tantalize the taste buds. Whether enjoyed alone or shared with loved ones, these chocolates evoke feelings of warmth and joy, making them the perfect gift for any occasion.

What flavor are gummy turtles? ›

Gummi Turtle shells are filled with a sweet melt-in-your-mouth raspberry center that's complemented with a fruit flavor body.

What candies have pig in them? ›

Gummy worms (contains gelatin) Red candies (contains red dye, made from the dried bodies of female beetles) Nerds (contains pork gelatin) Altoids (contains pork gelatin)

Are turtles sweet Georgia Browns? ›

You may know these caramely, choclatey and crunchy candies as Sweet Georgia Browns or Pecan Clusters, but I have always recognized these candies as Turtles.

What candy did Forrest Mars make? ›

In 1940 Mars made his own batch of chocolate candy pellets, inventing the recipe for M&Ms. He brought his idea to the Hershey Corporation, and a partnership was formed. The design was patented on March 3, 1941. That year, M&M®, Ltd. began production in Newark, New Jersey, and the first M&Ms® went on sale.

What was Nestle first candy? ›

In 1875, Henri Nestlé supplied his Vevey neighbor, Daniel Peter, with concentrated milk, which Peter used to develop the world's first commercial milk chocolate.

What candy was invented in Florida? ›

Coconut Patties — chocolate patties stuffed with a shredded coconut filling — started as a regional Florida candy. Coconut Patties were invented and are distributed today by Anastasia Confections, headquartered in Orlando, Florida.

Who owns DeMet's candy Company? ›

DeMet's Candy Company is a food company based in Connecticut, United States. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yıldız Holding.

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