Goo Goo Cluster facts for kids
The Goo Goo Cluster is a famous American candy bar. It was first made in 1912 by Howell Campbell and the Standard Candy Company. This happened in Nashville, Tennessee. This round candy bar has a tasty mix of marshmallow nougat, soft caramel, and crunchy roasted peanuts. All of these yummy ingredients are covered in smooth milk chocolate.
There are also other versions of this popular candy. The Goo Goo Supreme uses pecans instead of peanuts. In 2019, it was simply renamed the Pecan. Another version is the Peanut Butter Goo Goo. For this one, creamy peanut butter takes the place of the marshmallow nougat and caramel.
Contents
The Sweet History of Goo Goo Clusters
The Goo Goo Cluster is special because it was the first "combination" candy bar. This means it was one of the first candies to mix several different types of sweets together. Before this, most candy bars were just one flavor, like all chocolate.
How the Name Goo Goo Came to Be
The name "Goo Goo" is thought to sound like the first sounds a baby makes. The company even has a fun saying about it: "So good, they'll ask for it from birth." This helps tell the story of how the candy got its unique name.
From Local Treat to National Favorite
When Goo Goo Clusters were first made, they were sold without any wrapping. You could only buy them from glass jars in the area near the factory. Back then, machines for wrapping candy didn't exist. So, wrapping each candy by hand was very expensive. Because of this, most candies were not wrapped unless they needed it, like caramels, to keep them from sticking together.
However, in the 1920s, people started caring more about cleanliness. So, the company began wrapping each Goo Goo Cluster. After that, the candy could be sold all across the United States.
Marketing the Goo Goo Cluster
The Goo Goo Cluster became very popular, partly because of clever marketing.
A Sweet Deal with the Grand Ole Opry
The candy was sold at the famous Grand Ole Opry. This well-known music show started in 1925, which was 13 years after the Goo Goo Cluster first appeared. The Standard Candy Company, especially with its Goo Goo Cluster, was a long-time supporter and sponsor of the Grand Ole Opry show.
A Nourishing Lunch for a Nickel
In the 1920s and 1930s, the company advertised Goo Goo Clusters as "a nourishing lunch for a nickel." During that time, many people, especially those who worked hard, worried about not getting enough calories. High-calorie candies were seen as a good and cheap way to get energy. So, the Goo Goo Cluster was promoted as a valuable source of food energy.
Goo Goo Clusters on TV
Later, in the 1970s, Goo Goo Clusters were given out as gifts. This happened on a children's television show called Wonderama. It was a variety show, and kids watching would often get a sweet treat at the end.
