I'm guessing you might be asking yourself--Nello Ferraro? Who is that? Well, let me answer that for you. Nello Ferraro was the creator of some of the greatest candies known to taste-buds around the world. He was a candy genius who recently passed away at the age of 93 [proof that eating candy is good for longevity!]. When I was told of his demise a few nights ago by a female hipster as I purchased a giant box of Lemonheads to snack on before SJ and I caught a late-night performance at Upright Citizens Brigade, I informed the clerk that the world had lost a great man and that flags should be lowered to half-mast to pay tribute to Mr. Ferraro. The hipster just stared at me blank-faced, unable to crack a smile as hipsters are sometimes prohibited from doing.
You might not know his name, but I'm betting you know some of his candies: the aforementioned Lemonhead, Atomic Fire Ball, Boston Baked Beans, Jawbreakers, Red Hots, Cherryhead, Grapehead, Orangehead. All of his candies came in kitschy, well-designed boxes with the recognizable Ferraro Pan in a script across the top. I've been a candy fiend since I was a kid and Ferraro Pan has always been near the top of my list on what I like to munch on at a movie. I even take my enjoyment of Ferraro Pan to a higher level by creating my own flavors by combining different candies. I know it's kind of dangerous to be an alchemist this way, but sometimes I feel like tossing in a couple of Red Hots to a Lemonhead to create a completely new flavor profile. I recommend going 2/3 part Red Hot to a single Lemonhead for maximum pleasure. Through experimentation, I've perfected this ratio that might look like this in mathematical formula: 3 [R] x 1 [L] = GOOD!
Ferraro seems to have gotten the idea of the name "Lemonhead" due to his difficult child birth and being told by his dad that his head was shaped like a "lemon" when he was born. The name of Atomic Fire Ball comes from an equally surprising place. Ferraro was stationed in Japan during WWII and coined his delicious little hot candies after the atomic blasts that devastated two Japanese cities and ended the war. The logo for the Atomic Fire Ball has changed, but the original logo, with mushroom cloud and desolate landscape is about as awesome a candy logo that I've ever seen. I'm going to go right out and by a bunch of 25 cent boxes of Ferrara Pan candies and go crazy at the next movie I see. I might even experiment with some new ratios of candy mixing in hopes of discovering a new great formula.
Mr. Nello Ferraro, rest in peace.
9 comments:
go josh go! make those hipsters scratch their heads in wonder! ah...i never liked any of this stuff but appreciate your love of it, you candy fiend!
I have a real weak spot for candy like this--usually the worst candy is what I like. High class, expensive chocolate? Ugh. I'll take Lemonheads and red hots any day of the week.
Red hots go really well with Gobstoppers too--3/4 part red hot to 1 part gobstopper is the preferred ratio.
Wow, I've never tried any of these These are alien territory to me, something I missed out on 'cause of not growing up in the States. Familiar only from the movies, like high schools and cheerleaders and lockers. One territory I will never quite conquer here anymore.
I think may I should go on a mission and buy all these candies and report my findings.
Maybe also go back into a high-school undercover, like 21 Jump Street or Never Been Kissed, see what I find. Maybe a kiss?
Jawbreakers, I wonder if we had those. Are they these huge things that barely fit in your mouth and then layer by layer they change colors and get smaller, until the center is chewing gum or something fizzy?
you could publish a candy flavor preference ratio chart. kind of like the popcorn and m & m thing, ha! those old candies did have good packaging!
This candy is gross, but the packaging is pretty cute--especially the lemonheads logo. hilarious post.
Staircase--For popcorn and plain M & Ms--it has to be buttered popcorn...that's the key for that working.
Eva--No, his jawbreakers are little candies about the size of two red hots.
Anon--Gross? Never! Don't insult the legacy of Mr. Ferraro like that!
buttered popcorn for sure! plus, i admit to eating some Lemonheads in my day...but not like you!
my co-worker remembers eating a lot of 'alexander the grape'!
I knew a girl who mixed Milk Duds with her popcorn at the movies....I'd never even thought of doing that before. I always liked the Jr. Mints.....
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