Dots (candy) facts for kids
A six-pack box of Dots.
|
|
| Alternative names | DOTS or Mason Dots |
|---|---|
| Type | Gum drops |
| Place of origin | United States |
| Invented | 1945 |
| Main ingredients | Corn syrup, sugar |
| Ingredients generally used | Food starch, malic acid, sodium citrate, flavors and color |
| Variations | See below |
| Similar dishes | Crows |
Dots are super popular chewy candies called gumdrops. They're made by Tootsie Roll Industries. Since they first came out in 1945, Dots have become America's top-selling gumdrop brand! Imagine this: over four billion Dots are made every year at the Tootsie Roll factory in Chicago.
Good news for many! Dots are considered vegan, which means they don't use animal products. They are also safe for people with gluten or nut allergies. Plus, they are certified kosher, meaning they follow special food rules.
Contents
The Sweet History of Dots Candy
Dots candy first appeared in 1945. They were created by a company called Mason. Later, in 1972, Tootsie Roll Industries bought the Dots brand. Before that, Dots were made in Brooklyn and Mineola, New York.
Did you know that Crows candy is actually the oldest candy in the Dots family? Crows are black licorice gumdrops that were first made in the late 1800s! Original Dots came out in 1945. Newer types like Tropical Dots arrived in 2003, and Yogurt Dots in 2007. Sour Dots were introduced around 2009 or 2010.
Explore Different Dots Flavors and Types
Dots come in many exciting flavors and special varieties.
Classic Dots Flavors
The "Original Dots" come in five yummy flavors:
- Red is cherry
- Yellow is lemon
- Green is lime
- Orange is orange
- Pink is strawberry
Sour Dots also have five flavors, made with a sour kick from citric acid. These include cherry, lemon, orange, grape, and green apple.
Tropical Dots bring a taste of paradise with flavors like Island Nectar, Wild Mango, Grapefruit Cooler, Carambola Melon, and Paradise Punch.
Yogurt Dots offer creamy flavors such as Banana, Orange, Blackberry, and Lemon-Lime.
The Story of Crows Candy
Crows are black licorice flavored gumdrops. They are part of the Dots family and were created in the 1890s. There's a fun story that Crows were supposed to be called "Black Rose." But the printer supposedly misheard it as "Black Crows" and printed the wrong name! However, this story isn't true. The name "Crows" was actually copyrighted before the candies even had wrappers.
Special Dots Varieties
Over the years, Dots have released many special kinds of candy, including some for holidays!
Halloween Fun with Dots
Three special Halloween Dots have been made:
- Ghost Dots are see-through light green. They have the same flavors as Original Dots, but you can't tell the flavor by the color!
- Bat Dots are black and taste like blood orange.
- Candy Corn Dots taste like candy corn and even look like them.
Holiday Dots for Other Celebrations
Other holiday Dots include:
- Christmas Dots have a white vanilla top with a red cherry or green lime base.
- Valentine Dots have a white vanilla base with a red cherry or pink passion fruit top.
- Easter Dots were introduced in 2010. They come in blue blueberry, yellow lemon, green lime, red cherry, and orange orange flavors.
Other Cool Dots Flavors and Types
Here are some other interesting Dots varieties that have been available:
- Wild Berry Dots came out in 2000. They were sweet and chewy gumdrops with a tart, crunchy coating. These were stopped in 2007.
- Dots Elements were introduced in 2008. They had unique flavors like pomegranate (earth), cinnamon (fire), green tea (water), and wintergreen (air). These are no longer made.
- Hot Dots (also called Cinnamon Dots) were released in 2004 but stopped in 2006.
- Patriotic Dots have a white vanilla top with a red strawberry or blue blueberry base.
- In the 1980s, there was a type called Spice Dots.
- Special packages with single flavors like Pink Grapefruit, Peach, and Watermelon have also been sold. These are shaped like gumdrops.
- In 2022, Watermelon Dots were introduced. They have a red top and a green base to look just like a watermelon slice!
What Are Dots Made Of?
Dots are made from a few key ingredients: Corn syrup, sugar, food starch-modified, malic acid, natural and artificial flavors, sodium citrate, and artificial colors.
