DAILY DIRT: ‘Snickers’ rules top 10 confectionery items, but where is Milky Way?

I can proudly say I regularly consume — and enjoy — each and every one of the following top 10 candy items, although one irritates me because of the thin, aluminum-foilish wrapping … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 296 of The Daily Dirt.

1. Studies show the average American eats about 23 pounds of chocolate a year.

Well, first of all, I know there are people who simply don’t eat candy, especially chocolate … so does that mean there are Americans out there who down 46 pounds of a chocolate each year to balance out the numbers? Author Meaghan Cameron reports the cocoa and chocolate industry in the U.S. pulls in $9.67 billion annually. 

“Plus, they forecast that the market will only continue to grow over the next few years,” Cameron writes.
Not to mention our waistlines.

According to a report done by eatthis.com, here are the 10 most popular U.S. candies:

• 10. 3 Musketeers: In 1932, when 3 Musketeers was born, each package contained three candy bars, which is how it got its name.
• 9. Hershey’s Almond: When Hershey’s tried to update this bar in 2016,n 2016, 108 years after it was first made in 1908, with chopped almonds, the outcry was so great that they had to return quickly to the whole almonds.
• 8. Butterfinger: The secret ingredient in the irresistible peanut butter-layered center is corn flakes.
• 7. Almond Joy: Surprisingly, this candy bar has only been around since 1948.
• 6. Hershey’s Milk Chocolate: The first bar was sold in 1900 by Milton S. Hershey. Thanks, Milt.
• 5. Peanut M&M’s: These were invented in 1954, while regular M&M’s were first sold in 1941.
• 4. Kit-Kat: This little dandy — my personal favorite — was invented in England in 1935 and didn’t make its way to the U.S. until 1970 when Hershey’s began producing it.
• 3. Hershey’s Kisses:  They were not produced between 1942 and 1947. The equipment was used to make chocolate rations during WWII. Personally, I love/hate these things. They’re probably more bother than they are worth because of that wrapping.
• 2. Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups: H.B. Reese, who worked for Hershey’s, created these in 1928. There are now more than 100 candy bars, spreads, cookies and cereals under the Reese’s brand.
• 1. Snickers: In 1930 the very first Snickers was created and it wasn’t named after a giggle — but a horse. More than 48 million Americans consumed Snickers candy bars last year.

(My only comment is, what about Milky Way? I would have thought that was a guaranteed top-10 confectionery item.)

2. Three things you should know:– Blueberry Kit Kat candy bars are now a real thing.

Is this a great country or what?– Mark this down and take it to the bank. When Chris Archer retires as an MLB pitcher, he will be the Next Big Thing as an analyst. This guy, whose spirit is infectious, is so well spoken and knowledgeable he is a sure-fire bet for a frontline broadcasting position.– The three best gel pens on the market, in no particular order, are: Energel, Pilot G-2 and Sarasa. The Sarasa model is relatively new to the party, but is an excellent choice and like the other two has an impressive selection of colors to choose from.

3. Three of the most interesting quotes I have ever found connected to rock music:

Gold medal: “The hippies wanted peace and love. We wanted Ferraris, blondes and switchblades.” — Alice Cooper.

Silver medal: “Rock n’ roll is a poison put to sound.” — Pablo Casals.

Bronze medal: “The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent.“- Billy Joel.

Steve Thought O’ The Day — Growing up, Steve never played a guitar or the drums, but WAS an accordion master and once played with Myron Floren from The Lawrence Welk Show.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. He was known as the Polka King of Ashland, Ohio.