Mike and Ike facts for kids
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| Place of origin | Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA (1940). | ||||||
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| Created by | Just Born, Inc. | ||||||
| Variations | Tropical Typhoon, Berry Blast, etc. | ||||||
| 80 kcal (335 kJ) | |||||||
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| Other information | kosher; gluten-free | ||||||
Mike and Ike are a popular American brand of chewy, fruit-flavored candies. They were first made in 1940 by a company called Just Born, Inc. Even today, no one knows for sure how the candy got its unique name. Mike and Ike candies first came out with only fruit flavors, but now you can find them in many different kinds!
Contents
The Sweet History of Mike and Ike
Mike and Ike candies are made in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The story of how they got their name is a bit of a mystery! Some people think the name might have come from a comic strip called Mike and Ike (They Look Alike). This comic strip was popular before the 1940s.
Others believe the name came from two famous airplanes from the 1930s. These planes, nicknamed "Mike" and "Ike," won many air races. There's also a story that the candies were named after two circus performers, the Matina Brothers, who were called "Mike" and "Ike." They even played Munchkins in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.
Some other ideas for the name include a company contest, the names of the creators, a old vaudeville song, or even Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose nickname was "Ike."
In 1953, Just Born bought another candy company, Rodda Candy Company. With Rodda's help, they started making new Mike and Ike flavors, like cotton candy. More flavors, such as Root Beer, came out in the 1960s, and new ones have been added over the years.
What Are Mike and Ike Candies Like?
Mike and Ike candies are small, oblong (oval-shaped) and chewy. They come in many bright colors and fruit flavors. Some of the classic flavors include cherry, strawberry, orange, lemon, and lime.
Some of the most popular varieties are Tropical Typhoon, Berry Blast, and Jolly Joes. Each candy is small, with about 7 calories. They are also kosher and gluten-free, which means many people can enjoy them.
Mike and Ike candies are made by the same company that makes Hot Tamales. Hot Tamales are similar in shape, but they are spicy, while Mike and Ike are not.
Discovering Mike and Ike Flavors
Just Born makes many different kinds of Mike and Ike candies. Here are some of the popular ones:
| Name | Package color | First available | Package type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original Fruits | Green | 1940 | Box, bag, or freezer pop |
| Berry Blast | Blue | 1987 | Box or bag |
| Tropical Typhoon | Pink | 1977 | Box or bag |
| Jolly Joes | Purple | 1973 | Box |
| Mega Mix | Light Blue with rainbow | 2016 | Box or bag |
| Mega Mix Sour | Light Green with rainbow | 2018 | Box or bag |
There are also some special or limited-edition flavors that have appeared over time:
- Lem and Mel (Lemon and watermelon) flavor (first in 1991; brought back in 2013)
- Cherri and Bubb (Cherry and bubble gum) flavor (first in 1989; brought back in 2013 and 2019)
- Strawbana (launched 1991)
- Mike and Ike – Strawberries n' Cream (first in 2000; brought back in 2019)
- Mike and Ike – Orange n' Cream (launched 2000)
- Cherry Cola (launched 2004, brought back in 2016)
- Buttered Popcorn (launched 2004, brought back in 2016)
- Mike and Ike Minion Mix – Blueberry and Banana flavors (launched 2014)
- Mike and Ike Cotton Candy (brought back in 2015 and 2021)
- Mike and Ike Root Beer Float (brought back in 2015 and 2021)
Mike and Ike also release special packages for holidays like Easter. For Easter, the candies are often shaped like jelly beans!
Mike and Ike in the Media
In April 2012, the company launched a fun advertising campaign. The ads suggested that Mike and Ike were "breaking up" because they had "creative differences." The candy boxes even showed one of the names scratched out! This campaign was designed to get younger people interested in the candy.
In 2013, the company announced that Mike and Ike would "reunite." Along with new packaging and juicier-tasting candies, they even released a trailer for a pretend movie called The Return of Mike and Ike.
