What’s your favorite thing about Tootsie Pops? You’ve probably eaten them since you were a kid and maybe share them with your little ones today. By now, you might know of the infamous legends of the Tootsie Roll Pop. But do you know where they started? Learn more about the fun behind Tootsie Pops and share these myths and legends with your kids.
The History of the Tootsie Pop
Tootsie Pops went on sale in 1931. It was the first candy to include a surprise at the center. Leo Hirshfield named Tootsie Rolls after his daughter, who he called Tootsie. The original flavors of the suckers were raspberry, cherry, chocolate, orange and grape.
The Star Rumor
Decades ago, a rumor surfaced that Tootsie Roll Industries would give a free Tootsie Pop to any kid who found a star on the wrapper of their sucker. The symbol comes with the depiction of a Native American shooting the star with a bow and arrow. The company isn’t sure where the rumor came from as they never agreed to it. It may have started with candy stores who agreed to give a free sucker to kids who came in with a wrapper and asked.
Fun Fact
The star appears on one out of every four Tootsie Pop wrappers, making it more common than most people think!
The Three-Licks Myth
The infamous Tootsie Pop commercial amplifies the myth that it only takes three licks to get to the center of one of these thick suckers. Obviously not true. Very important candy studies have found that the number of licks varies depending on how you eat the sucker. It may take 250 to 500 licks to reach the center depending on whether you lick one side or both.
Fun Fact
Tell Tootsie how many licks it took you to get to the center of a pop, and they’ll send you a “Clean Stick Award.”
Share the infamous legends of the Tootsie Roll Pop with your kids. Of all the candy myths you thought were true, don’t be fooled by the star on these wrappers anymore. While the company itself might not send you free candy, an old-fashioned shop might let you take a sucker for free.
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