Oompas facts for kids
Oompas were a popular candy that isn't made anymore. They were part of the famous Willy Wonka brand. The first Oompas were known as ‘Peanut Butter Oompas’.
Contents
Oompas Candy: A Sweet History
Oompas candy had two main periods of production. Each time, they offered a different kind of sweet treat.
The Original Oompas: Peanut Butter and Chocolate
The first Oompas were made from 1971 to 1983. They were similar to candies like Reese's Pieces or peanut butter M&M's. However, Oompas were a bit bigger. Inside their colorful candy coating, there was a disk. This disk was half delicious peanut butter and half rich chocolate. For a short time in 1980, you could also find Oompas with a chocolate and strawberry flavor instead of peanut butter.
Oompas Make a Comeback: Fruity Fun
In 2001, the Wonka company brought Oompas back. By then, Wonka was owned by Nestlé. The new Oompas were different. They were a chewy candy, much like Skittles. These Oompas came in many fruit flavors. You could enjoy Green Apple, Cherry, Lemon, Orange, Grape, and Strawberry. These new candies were simply called ‘Oompas’.
Unique Flavors in the UK
The Oompas sold in the United Kingdom had some very unusual flavors. These included jam doughnut, rhubarb and custard, and snozzberry (which was a mix of fruits). There were also popcorn, caterpillar (cucumber), and even mashed potato flavors!
The Story Behind the Name
The name "Oompas" came from a famous children's book. They were named after the The Oompa-Loompas characters. These characters are from Roald Dahl's classic book, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The Wonka company itself takes its name from this same book.
