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Thursday, August 16, 2007
Goodbye Tart n Tiny
The Wonka line of candies were largely a marketing invention, the only candy in the original line up of confections that was actually mentioned in the book were Everlasting Gobstoppers.
In 1988 Breaker Confections sold the brand to Nestle. Nestle eventually made some changes to the candies, mostly because they had also recently acquired the Sunline brand of SweeTart confections in their takeover of Rowntree (who bought Sunline in 1986). Sunline products (SweeTart, Sprees and Bottle Caps) were then branded under the Wonka label as well. In the early 1990s Tart n Tinys were reintroduced with a new colorful candy shell (more like mini Spree than mini SweeTart now). The most interesting part of the candy shell addition is that the grape ones were no longer purple, they’re now blue (but thank goodness they’re not the blue punch flavor of SweeTart).
The new candy coated variety were also a little rounded, so they roll. No more stacking. But I have to admit they were fun to look at, and probably a little easier to sort even in dim lighting conditions. So, you may have noticed that I started this post with, “Goodbye.” This is because Nestle has decided to discontinue both Tart n Tinys and Chewy Tart n Tinys. It makes sense that Nestle thinks that the line is redundant (as I found with the head to head comparison between the Chewy Mini SweeTart and the Chewy Tart n Tiny) to products they already produce. The marketing on them was never particular strong, they don’t do seasonal editions (no pastel Tart n Tinys for Easter, no red & green for Christmas) so it’s easy to see why people have not responded to them as much as other products like SweeTart, Sprees and Runts. I’ve enjoyed Tart n Tinys since their introduction but rarely buy them simply because I never find them in stores. Runts have been more available, even in the movie style box. I don’t think I’ve actually bought Tart n Tinys in five years for this reason. How successful can a candy be if you can’t find it in the first place? There are still a few online vendors who still have inventory left, so if you’re a fan, get ‘em now! Related Candies
POSTED BY Cybele AT 10:40 am 
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Meticulously photographed and documented reviews of candy from around the world. And the occasional other sweet adventures. Open your mouth, expand your mind.
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COPYRIGHT NOTICEAll content (text and photos unless otherwise credited) is copyright 2005-2008 by Cybele MayPlease do not use my photos on your own site without permission directly from me, they represent what I ate in preparation for these reviews and are not to be used for other purposes. Design by Hop StudiosPowered by ExpressionEngine
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I have seen generic forms of these candies, usually in gift shops at museums and things. I think I’ve always called them “penny candies” because that’s what my Mom called them, back when they actually only cost a penny. I always remember them being delicious.
Oh, I loved, loved, loved these as a child and can remember getting them along with a bag of fizzy pellets (like the center of a Zotz), and Zotz, too. I did not make the jump to candy-coated, however. So, its a bit sad they are going away, but I’d already moved on.
Good point about the marketing. They really could be more popular. They’d make a good Halloween candy in little boxes.
This website could be turned into a Candy Encyclopedia. Your reviews just get more and more informative. Have you had any publishers interested?
How unfair is it that Necco Wafers can keep being sold for the past 20,000 years and Tart ‘n’ Tiny get discontinued because of lame marketing?
What beautiful photos! Did you sort through boxes of Tart N Tinys to separate the colors, or were you able to buy them that way?
I didn’t know that Tart n Tiny still existed! But no wonder I didn’t realize it, those ones don’t look right, and by looking at the package, I would think “that’s not waht I was expecting, myabe I’m remembering the name wrong.” I don’t think I would have made the jump to the ones with the hard shell even if I had noticed them in a store. One of the fun things with the little pellets was the way they dissolved…
NOOO!!!! This is truly a tragic development. Tart and Tinys were so wonderful. To be honest, I wasn’t sure if they were still around either--I always had trouble finding them too.
I guess now I’ll stop looking. :(
Weak! I loved Tart and Tinys growing up. I suppose it’s time to see if I can find a stray box somewhere. *sigh*
SW - yes, I saw them at Disneyland! They were using them in bottles as “Pirate Treasure”. I was tempted to buy some. I’ll see if I can find out who makes the generics.
Kate - I’ve been working on a book, but haven’t approached anyone ... it’d be a dream come true if they approached me first.
Travis - the big question is are they REALLY still producing Necco Wafers, or are they just the same rolls in circulation?
Rosa - I do product photography for CandyWarehouse.com. Last year I did a bunch of Wonka products. I had a 24 count box of each product, so I figured I should have a little fun and play with them! Most of the candies are a mix of both the chewy and regular versions, three packages each.
Tricia - I’m going to keep my eyes out for something that’s a good replacement for them. I doubt it’ll be something widely available, probably more of a bulk item.
Jamie & William - now’s the time to lay in a supply if you do see them!
Awww, that’s too bad. I, too, enjoyed them as a kid. I liked stacking them before eating them.
What a weird coincidence, I just bought a box of them today. There’s a pretty big chain of convenient stores here in Montreal called Couche-Tard and they have a very healthy supply of the little candies.
It’s strange to read about them in past tense since from my perspective they’re still readily available, and quite easy to find anywhere in this city.
Can you really not find them anymore? I want to get some for a friend. I call her TINY and I just thought it would be cute. LOL.
RIP Tart n’Tiny’s and thanks for the memories.
I’m off to hoard whatever boxes I can gather…
That really stinks! I bought these last year to use for Christmas lights on our gingerbread house.
Now what am I supposed to use. Hmmmm.
Tart n Tiny’s demise began with the addition of the candy coating (yuck!)The best part about them was the way they would just melt in your mouth. I never did like them after they put the candy coating on. Oh well, I loved the Skittles in the green package (tart and tangy ??? something along those lines) and I believe they discontinued those as well. :-(
Aha! got two cases for Christmas. I will never forget you Tart n Tinys. I loved em without the shell, but I loved em even more with the shell. Farewell Tart n Tinys. I will miss you.
I too loved Tart N’ Tinys. I was not aware until reading this article they were officially “dead”. I actually stopped eating them once they had the candy coated shell...to me, that ruined the essence of the Tart N’ Tiny. Whatever that means.
I actually found a Dollar Tree in Charlotte Michigan that was selling the original Tart N’ Tiny’s (no candy coating!). I thought they were back! I guess they were actually just REALLY REALLY old Tart N’ Tiny’s. I am suprised I was not sick, but it was worth it. It was glorious. Nothing like 6 year old (at the very least) candy! By the way, i have been to that Dollar Tree numerous times since and their Tart and Tiny’s are long gone. :(
I miss the ORIGINAL Tart N’ Tiny’s… they were my favorite as a kid and Sweetarts just aren’t the same. Thanks for writing about them, I thought I was the only one who remembered them.
I too miss the original Tart n tiny’s. The last time I remember enjoying them was in Disney World in 1992. I hate the candy coated kind and think that Nestle has ruined many of the candy’s they have bought out. Sweet Tarts, another favorite of mine have ruined the green tart my making it apple! And now they have eliminated the yellow chick and duck easter candy and replace with the nasty blue!!!
I can still find them in stores. But I miss the original ones. I would buy them, sweetarts (when they still came in a back loose) and giant pixie sticks, almost everyday at the store next to me. I would love to take the tart n tinys and put them in a sprite and wait until it fizzed up and drank it. so awesome! Does anyone remeber the gum that had some sort of gel AND a koolaid type powder in it?
Tart n’ Tiny’s were my favorite when I was a kid. God, I miss them! I haven’t seen a bag of them in two year, they came in a Wonka Mix Bag I got at Ocean State Job Lot.
In my childhood I used to build tiny cities with the tiny tarts, then eat them all up. Haven’t gotten used to the candy coated ones though it is a shame to see them go. I loved those things and used to look for them in candy shops before I realized they had changed. I liked the way some of them melted in your mouth. Yes I was passionate about my tiny tarts.
Tart & Tinys stopped being when the candy shell was introduced. I have searched for many years to find some, I now know why I haven’t been able to. Why do companies always seem to fix things that aren’t broken? Kids today don’t appreciate REAL candy, why don’t adults’ opinions matter? At least finding this, I now know I can officially stop my search. I loved you Tart & Tiny! SNIFF SNIFF
My friend and I always had fun with Tart n Tiny. We especially liked the cool box it came in. We used to have a contest to see who could inhale all the left over candy dust from the inside of the box without coughing. Amazing the things that used to amuse us. I would love to find her some boxes for her 40th birthday.
I sure do miss that little candy.
I’m eating them right now. I was able to find some at a gas station and bought the last six boxes. I’m so sad cause I’m on my last one. I’m so mad at nestle for getting rid of this product, changing the sweetarts over the years, and I feel that sprees are becoming hard to find as well. These all are my favorite candies. I will be distraught if nerds are discontinued.
I have read that several people who have commented here have found boxes. Does anyone know a website that I can buy them at?
The tart n tinys I remember did not have a sugar coating over them, and they came in little packets that sold for 10 cents. I love all Willy Wonka oldies.
I can’t believe you are going to stop the best candy in the world. So much better then sweet tarts. They were perfect for eating at your desk. i finally found a place to buy them in buld on line and now you are taking them away. PLEASE bring them back and give them some advertising!
I loved tiny tarts WITHOUT the candy coating. I use to buy them by bulk in Minnesota when I was a kid and always had a stash of them on hand. It was sort of an addiction that I never really got over. The coated ones are not exciting at all. I think kids would go nuts for the originals. I also liked the white boxes of them...the small packages where just not enough. I would hope Nestle would bring them back for nostalgia. There must be some adults there with the same love for tiny tarts.
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