The Candy That Made Us: Discontinued Legends Every Millennial Remembers

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Altoid Sours

Imagine strolling into your local corner store, the bell on the door ringing like a welcome song as you step into a candy wonderland. The air is thick with the enticing aroma of chocolate and sugar, your heart races as your pocket jingles with coins. You head for the glass jars filled with colorful sweets, but your eyes zero in on something special: the embossed tin of Altoid Sours. Introduced in the early 2000s, these little gems were the culinary equivalent of a punchy kick to the taste buds. With flavors like tangerine, raspberry, and the legendary mango, they were unlike anything you could find elsewhere.

Each tin was like a treasure chest, holding those small, round, intensely tangy candies that could make your mouth pucker with joy. You could snag one of these for just $1.50 to $2.50 back in the day, which meant you could treat yourself to three flavors for the price of a soda. Opening that tin felt like unearthing a hidden gem, the sound of the lid popping open as thrilling as any childhood adventure.

The Altoids brand was known for its catchy tagline, "Curiously Strong Mints," and when the sour version hit the shelves, it carried that same air of coolness and credibility. Altoid Sours were so iconic that when they were discontinued in February 2010, the internet mourned as if a beloved friend had passed away. Tins of the remaining candies now fetch prices of $30 to $100 on eBay, and petitions have been created in droves demanding their return, particularly for that beloved mango flavor. Oh, you know you’re a millennial if you can still taste the burst of tangy mango in your mouth and remember when the mere sight of that embossed tin would put a smile on your face.

Wonka Bars

Ah, the allure of Wonka Bars! Stepping into the candy aisle of your corner store back in the 90s was like entering Willy Wonka's chocolate factory. Introduced in 1971 as a clever tie-in with the beloved film starring Gene Wilder, these bars promised a taste of pure magic. Nestled inside the shiny wrapper was a milk chocolate bar with graham cracker pieces that delivered an unexpected crunch. You could snag one for about $0.75 to $1.50, perfect for a quick treat after school.

Eating a Wonka Bar felt like a rite of passage. The packaging was a colorful explosion, reflecting the whimsical nature of the candy itself. And who could forget the Golden Ticket? In 2005, as a promotion for Tim Burton's reimagined film, real golden tickets were hidden inside selected bars, sparking a treasure hunt that had kids (and adults) scouring stores in a frenzy. Unfortunately, by 2014, the bar was officially discontinued, leaving behind only fond memories and vintage wrappers to remember it by.

You know you’re a millennial if you fantasized about finding a Golden Ticket while devouring that chocolate bar, even if you knew deep down it was more fiction than reality. The legacy of the Wonka brand may live on through Nerds and Everlasting Gobstoppers, but there’s nothing quite like that original bar.

Surge

Let’s take a detour into the neon world of Surge, the soda that was practically a cult classic. Launched in 1996 as Coca-Cola's answer to the ever-popular Mountain Dew, this electric green beverage was caffeine-packed and bursting with citrus flavor. The can itself was a vibrant spectacle, much like the late-90s attitude of rebellion and extreme sports. You could grab a Surge for just $0.75 to $1.50, making it the forbidden fruit for many a kid whose parents weren't keen on sugar highs.

Every sip of Surge was a rush, the sweet, fizzy taste sending you into a frenzy of energy. The marketing campaign, featuring extreme sports athletes and a tagline of "Feed the Rush," felt like a rallying cry for a generation that craved adventure. However, by 2003, the drink was discontinued, leaving a hole in the hearts of its fans. The 'SURGE Movement' in 2014 brought it back in limited editions, all thanks to three millennials who shouted out for its revival by purchasing a billboard near Coca-Cola’s headquarters. You know you're a millennial if you remember the thrill of sneaking a can of Surge after school, feeling like an outlaw for indulging in such a sugar-laden treat.

Squeeze Pop

Now, let’s squeeze our way into nostalgia with Squeeze Pops! These delightful liquid candy tubes burst onto the scene in the early '90s, transforming candy consumption into a messy and exhilarating experience. You could pick one up for only $0.50 to $1.00, making it the perfect treat for any kid with a little allowance to spare. The thrill of squeezing that tube to dispense bright, gooey candy was unparalleled. Flavors like sour watermelon, blue raspberry, and green apple were intensely sweet, and the color alone could draw you in like a moth to a flame.

Each tube was a small adventure; you controlled the flow of sugary goodness and often ended up with sticky fingers and grinning faces. Various brands jumped on the bandwagon, but Hubba Bubba’s Sweet Squeeze Pops were particularly memorable. You knew you were living the '90s dream if you could eat candy straight from a tube, and the laughter it generated during recess was contagious. While these tubes have since been revived by Iconic Candy, you know you're a millennial if you can still hear the laughter of friends and the joy of squeezing out that sugary gel during school breaks.

The Corner Store is Gone

Ah, but alas, the corner store where all these sweet memories were made is becoming a relic of the past. As gas stations and Amazon take over our shopping habits, the cozy vibe of the neighborhood candy stores has slowly faded away. No more wandering into the small shops filled with glass jars and the promise of sugary delights at every turn. Now, it’s all about convenience, but those memories remain etched in our hearts, a sweet reminder of simpler times when a few coins could buy you a burst of joy.

Just like those penny candies taught us that small things add up, life insurance works the same way—a small monthly payment can lead to big protection for your loved ones.

As you reminisce about the candies that shaped your childhood, we want to hear from you. What candy would YOU bring back if you could? Drop us a line on Facebook!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Altoid Sours — Can you still buy it?

Discontinued in February 2010 due to 'low national demand' according to Mars. Remaining tins sell for $30-$100+ on eBay. Over 34 separate Change.org petitions have been created demanding their return. In 2024, Iconic Candy released 'Retro Sours' in Citrus, Tangerine, and Mango as a spiritual successor, available through Cracker Barrel and other retailers.. Originally introduced in 2001 (some sources say 2004) by Mars (under Altoids brand). Mars cited 'low national demand' as the reason for discontinuation, a decision that seems baffling given the massive online outcry that followed. The Mango flavor is consistently cited as the most missed variety. A single 2019 Change.org petition titled 'Bring Back Altoids Mango Sours' has over 1,000 signatures - and that's just one of 34 petitions. The embossed tin packaging was as beloved as the candy itself - people used the tins for everything from storage to crafts. Iconic Candy's 'Retro Sours' release in 2024 was specifically designed to fill the void Altoid Sours left.

Wonka Bars — Can you still buy it?

Officially discontinued worldwide by 2014 due to declining sales. The Wonka brand name lives on through Nerds, Everlasting Gobstoppers, and other products now owned by Ferrara/Ferrero. The 2023 'Wonka' movie (starring Timothee Chalamet) did NOT result in a bar revival.. Originally introduced in 1971 (original tie-in with film), 1976 (commercial production by Breaker Confections), 1988 (Nestle acquisition) by Quaker Oats Company (1971), Breaker Confections (1976), Nestle (1988). The original 1971 bars were financed by the Quaker Oats Company, which also funded the Willy Wonka film itself as a marketing vehicle. The first batch was quickly recalled due to production problems. Chicago's Breaker Confections relaunched the brand in 1976. Nestle purchased the brand in 1988 and produced it until 2010 in the US. The Wonka brand changed hands: Quaker Oats to Breaker to Nestle to Ferrero. The 2005 Golden Ticket promotion mirrored the actual plot of the book, creating one of the most meta marketing campaigns in candy history.

Surge (soda/candy) — Can you still buy it?

Discontinued in 2003 but survived in Norway as 'Urge.' In 2014, Coca-Cola relaunched Surge exclusively on Amazon after the 'SURGE Movement' social media campaign. Availability remains sporadic and limited in the US.. Originally introduced in 1996 (originally developed in Norway as 'Urge') by The Coca-Cola Company. Created in a Norwegian beverage facility as 'Urge' before being renamed Surge for worldwide release. Despite being marketed as more extreme than Mountain Dew, Surge actually contained fewer calories, less caffeine, and less sugar. The 'SURGE Movement' raised $4,000 for a billboard half a mile from Coca-Cola headquarters. Norway never discontinued Urge - it remained continuously available there. The 2014 Amazon relaunch selling out in hours proved the demand the SURGE Movement had claimed. The brand continues to have one of the most passionate fan communities of any discontinued product.

Squeeze Pop (Liquid Candy Tubes) — Is it the same as it used to be?

Revived by Iconic Candy as a nostalgic retro product. Available in Sour Green Apple, Sour Blue Raspberry, and Sour Watermelon in 4oz tubes. Available through specialty candy retailers and Amazon.. Originally introduced in Early-mid 1990s by Various manufacturers including Hubba Bubba (Wrigley), Topps. The squeeze tube format was part of a broader 90s trend of putting candy into unconventional containers (spray bottles, baby bottles, tubes). Multiple brands produced their own versions, making 'Squeeze Pop' more of a category than a single product. The sour liquid candy format was particularly popular because it combined the 90s sour candy craze with the novelty candy packaging trend. The revival by Iconic Candy specifically targets millennial nostalgia buyers.