Tootsie Roll, the iconic chocolate-flavored taffy, has been enjoyed by kids and adults across the United States since 1907. With qualities reminiscent of both caramels and taffy, this sweet treat was actually the first ‘penny candy’ to come individually wrapped in America.
Tootsie Roll Industries stands tall as one of the globe’s largest candy manufacturers, making over 65 million Tootsie Rolls daily. According to them, the secret is a recipe that includes a bit of the previous day’s batch, which is a tradition dating back to the candy’s inception.
Early Beginning
The story begins with founder Leo Hirschfield, a Jewish-Austrian immigrant, the descendant of a family of candy makers, who started his candy career in a small New York City shop in 1896. After dabbling in jelly powders, he perfected the Tootsie Roll in 1907, naming it after his daughter Clara, aka “Tootsie”. The first rolls hit the market in September 1908.
Later Incarnation
Though Hirschfield’s journey ended tragically in 1922, his legacy endured. In 1935, Joseph Rubin & Sons rescued the company from financial woes, with Bernard Rubin appointed as its president. He revamped the formula and size, propelling sales twelvefold by the time of his passing in 1948.
Today
Ellen Rubin Gordon, daughter of William B. Rubin (Bernard’s brother), took over in 2015 and has been steering the ship since. Today, she serves as chairman and CEO, proudly continuing the Tootsie Roll legacy.
But enough history—let’s talk flavor. Alongside the classic cocoa, Tootsie Roll offers a rainbow of fruity options like cherry, orange, vanilla, lemon, and lime in their Tootsie Fruit Chews.
So, next time you’re craving a sweet pick-me-up, grab your Tootsie Roll of choice and savor a piece of sweet history.
