Now and Later

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Now and Later is a brand of fruit-flavored taffy-like product which is organized into squares packaged in colorful paper. The candy is sold in packages containing 3 plastic-wrapped packs of 6 Now and Laters each, with each plastic-wrapped pack containing a different flavor.

The slogan "Hard 'N Fruity Now and Soft 'N Chewy Later" can be found on the package. Now and Laters are initially tough to chew when placed in the mouth, but eventually soften and resemble taffy.

Contents 1 History 2 Controversy 3 Criticism 4 Flavors 5 April Fools Day

[edit] History

Now and Laters were introduced by the Phoenix Candy Company in 1962. The original Now and Laters flavors were Red, Green and Blue. However after the buyout by Beatrice Foods in 1978 the colors were changed to the more PR-Friendly Strawberry, Apple and Grape. Throughout its lifetime, Now and Laters have added many new flavors, including the flavor "Green Tingleberry" which is considered by many to be a rather unfortunately named flavor from a public relations perspective.

Since 2002[1], the candy has been manufactured by Farley's and Sathers Candy Company. 16 flavors are currently available.

[edit] Controversy

Now and Laters have been accused of resembling Starbursts. People have used the fact that Now and Laters have been on the market longer than Starbursts as defense for the product. However, Starbursts, then known as Opal Fruits, were on sale in the UK two years before Now and Laters were created. Also there has been a long standing rumor, that if you chew too hard/fast on one, there is a chance that it will rip your teeth out.

[edit] Criticism

Some feel that Now and Laters are inferior to other candies due to the fact that they generally do NOT soften up after chewing. Their slogan says they do; however many people argue that it does not become like taffy and instead just gets hard and sticky.

"It's hard to start with, but goes soft as you suck on it whence it turns chewy and sticky in your mouth." ~ Atreau.

[edit] Flavors

Apple Banana Black Radberry Blue Radberry Cherry Cherry Apple Grape Green Tingleberry

Lime Mango Melon Mystery Mix Orange Pineapple Red Radberry Strawberry Tropical Lemonade Tropical Punch Watermelon

[edit] April Fools Day

There were also three flavors released for April Fools' Day, 1983:

• Broiled Salmon
• Chicken-Fried Steak
• Huevos Rancheros