The Symphony candy bar was a popular chocolate bar first introduced in the 1920s by the Mars Company. It was unique for containing multiple layers of chocolate, caramel, and nuts. The Symphony quickly became one of the most beloved candy bars in the United States, but surprisingly, it was discontinued in the late 1990s.
When was the Symphony candy bar first introduced?
The Symphony candy bar was first introduced to the market in 1924 by the Mars Company. It was created by Frank C. Mars and was marketed as an elite and luxurious candy bar with sophisticated ingredients. The original Symphony bar contained four layers including milk chocolate, vanilla nougat, caramel, and almonds. It was an immediate success upon release.
What made the Symphony candy bar unique?
There were a few key factors that made the Symphony candy bar unique from other candy bars at the time:
- Multiple layers – The Symphony contained multiple layers of chocolate, nougat, caramel, and nuts. Most other candy bars of the era were single layered.
- High-quality ingredients – It used more expensive and higher quality ingredients like real milk chocolate and vanilla nougat.
- Elegant packaging – Early Symphony wrappers had an art deco design that made it look sophisticated.
- Luxurious marketing – Marketing portrayed Symphony as an elite, luxurious candy for the discerning candy lover.
The combination of high-quality ingredients, multi-layer construction, and elegant packaging differentiated Symphony from the competition. It was marketed as an indulgence for the refined candy connoisseur.
What were the original ingredients in the Symphony bar?
The original Symphony candy bar introduced in 1924 contained the following ingredients in its four layers:
- Milk chocolate – The outer layer was milk chocolate, which was more expensive than plain chocolate at the time.
- Vanilla nougat – The second layer was chewy vanilla nougat, made with egg whites, vanilla, and honey.
- Caramel – A layer of tender, buttery caramel came next.
- Almonds – Finally, crunchy California almonds provided texture.
These ingredients gave the Symphony bar a sophisticated and multi-dimensional flavor and texture profile. The combination of chocolate, nougat, caramel, and nuts was very innovative for a candy bar at that time. Most other candy bars had just one or two components.
How did the Symphony differ from other Mars candy brands?
The Symphony candy bar was quite different from Frank Mars’ other hit candy brands in the 1920s:
- Milky Way – Launched in 1923, Milky Way had chocolate and vanilla nougat but lacked caramel and nuts.
- Snickers – Introduced in 1930, Snickers was packed with peanuts but did not have multiple layers like Symphony.
While Mars’ other brands emphasized volume, Symphony was positioned as an elegant, sophisticated premium candy bar. Its marketing also distinguished Symphony as a candy for adults, while brands like Milky Way and Snickers were aimed at children. The ingredients, packaging, and marketing of Symphony set it apart within the Mars candy line-up.
When did Symphony start becoming popular in the US market?
The Symphony candy bar rapidly grew in popularity and sales through the 1930s to 1950s across the United States. There are a few key reasons why it became so popular:
- Great taste – Its unique combination of ingredients tasted wonderful.
- Affordable luxury – It was affordable enough for the masses to enjoy regularly.
- Distribution reach – Mars’ distribution chain made Symphony widely available around the country.
- Memorable marketing – Catchy ads helped drive Symphony into the public consciousness.
- Economic prosperity – Rising incomes and standard of living enabled more candy consumption.
By the 1950s, Symphony had become one of the top-selling candy bars on the market along with Mars’ other big brands like Snickers. It was a go-to choice for movie theaters and penny candy counters, delighting people across generations.
How much did a Symphony candy bar cost when it was first released?
| Year | Symphony Price |
|---|---|
| 1924 | 5 cents |
| 1935 | 7 cents |
| 1945 | 10 cents |
When the Symphony bar first launched in 1924, it retailed for 5 cents. As an indulgent premium candy bar, this was on the expensive side for the era. Through the 1930s, the price gradually increased to 7 cents as ingredient costs rose. By 1945, a Symphony bar could be purchased for 10 cents at candy counters across the country.
For comparison, plain Hershey’s chocolate bars cost only 5 cents in the 1920s and 1930s. So Symphony was able to command a price premium due to its status as a luxury product.
How did the Symphony branding and packaging evolve over the years?
The Symphony branding and packaging went through some key evolutions between the 1920s and 1990s:
- 1924 – Elegant art deco styling with gold accents and a sophisticated look.
- Late 1930s – Simpler packaging with less ornate lettering and design.
- 1940s-1950s – Emphasized “Chocolatey” on wrapper along with photos of ingredients.
- 1960s-1970s – Bright, eye-catching wrappers and logos.
- 1980s – Return to minimalist packaging with understated logo.
The art deco influenced style of the 1920s and 30s aligned well with the luxurious branding. By the 1950s, Symphony wrappers focused more on boldly advertising the chocolatey taste. The 1960s and 70s saw vibrant, playful designs that appealed to children. In later decades, the packaging became more understated and minimalist again.
Were there any variations of the original Symphony bar recipe?
Mars did introduce some variations of the original Symphony recipe over the years:
- Almond Symphony – Released in the 1960s, this version contained extra almonds without the vanilla nougat layer.
- Peanut Symphony – Also launched in the 1960s, it substituted peanut nougat for vanilla.
- Walnut Symphony – Introduced in the 1980s, it replaced almonds with walnuts.
However, none of these variations matched the popularity and sales of the original Symphony bar. The classic recipe with milk chocolate, vanilla nougat, caramel, and almonds remained the definitive Symphony for most candy lovers.
When and why was the Symphony discontinued?
After over 70 years in production, Mars made the surprising decision to discontinue the Symphony bar in 1997. There are a few factors that contributed to its demise:
- Falling sales – By the 1990s, Symphony’s sales had slowly declined as people’s tastes changed.
- Higher costs – TheSpecialized ingredients made Symphony more expensive to produce than other candy bars.
- Consolidation – Mars sought to consolidate around brands like Snickers and M&Ms.
- Distribution issues – Retailers had concerns about Symphony’s unusual shape and size.
While the Symphony had been iconic for generations, Mars likely saw the writing on the wall and made the difficult choice to cease production rather than invest resources trying to revive the brand. The last Symphony bars rolled off factory lines in 1997.
What was the public reaction to the Symphony discontinuation?
Many candy lovers were shocked and disappointed when Symphony was discontinued without warning in 1997. Reactions included:
- Nostalgia – People fondly remembered enjoying Symphonies since childhood.
- Lost traditions – Sharing Symphonies with family was a cherished nostalgic tradition for some.
- Anger – Loyal Symphony fans were angry at Mars for taking away a beloved product.
- petitions – petitions circulated urging Mars to bring Symphony back but were unsuccessful.
- Stockpiling – Some tried to stockpile as many Symphony bars as they could when word spread.
The Symphony discontinuation marked the end of an era. For generations of Americans, Symphony was synonymous with chocolate indulgence. Many considered it an irreplaceable classic. Mars likely underestimated the emotional connection people had to Symphony when they discontinued it.
Have any brands tried to replicate the Symphony candy bar?
Since the original Symphony disappeared, smaller candy companies have tried to fill the void by releasing spiritual successor bars. Some Symphony imitators include:
- Summit Bars – Made by Summit Confectionery, this was the earliest Symphony knock-off Attempt unsuccessful.
- Twilight Bars – Made by Burgers’ Smokehouse, also intended to mimic Symphony.
- Classic 4 Bars – Released by Gertrude Hawk Chocolates in 2002.
- Whimsy Bars – Launched by Neuman’s Own in 2011 to recreate Symphony.
While these bars tried to achieve the Symphony’s complexity, most agree the original remains unmatched. Symphony developed an almost cult-like following that new brands struggle to replicate. Many candy aficionados believe the Symphony flavor profile was simply irreplaceable.
Could Symphony ever make a comeback?
There remains hope among candy lovers that Mars could revive Symphony someday. However, the brand faces significant hurdles for a comeback:
- High costs – The specialized ingredients raise production costs compared to other candy bars.
- Fragmented demand – Symphony fandom is spread out rather than concentrated in any major demographic.
- Brand nostalgia – Fans want the original product, not a reformulation.
- Competitive landscape – The market now includes many premium candy options.
- Manufacturing challenges – Original equipment needed to produce Symphony is long gone.
For Symphony to succeed again, it would require perfect marketing and execution. Mars would need to leverage nostalgia while also attracting new generations of consumers. Given the risks and challenges, Mars seems unlikely to revive Symphony anytime in the foreseeable future. The beloved bar will remain a memory for the aging fans who grew up with it.
Conclusion
In summary, the Symphony candy bar had a remarkable 70+ year run before its untimely demise in 1997. Introduced by Mars in 1924, it stood out for its multiple layers and luxurious ingredients. Symphony went on to become one of America’s most popular and beloved candy bars for much of the 20th century. However, falling sales and operational challenges led Mars to discontinue Symphony to the dismay of its longtime fans. Though other brands have tried to recreate it, the original Symphony remains a nostalgic icon of candy history unlikely to ever be perfectly replicated.