Zotz: The Enduring Fizz of a Classic Candy with a Surprising History

Zotz Candy: A Century of Fizz and Flavor from Italian Roots to American Shelves A beloved hard candy known for its distinctive fizzy center, Zotz, boasts a rich history stretching back to 1923 in Como, Italy. Originally created by the GB Ambrosoli company, founded by chemist Giovanni Battista Ambrosoli, the candy was an innovative departure from the company's initial focus on beekeeping products. Ambrosoli leveraged his chemical expertise to develop a hard candy filled with a mixture of malic and tartaric acids and sodium bicarbonate. This unique composition causes a satisfying fizz when the candy is cracked open and comes into contact with saliva. The candy's journey to international recognition began in 1968 when American entrepreneur Frank Landry, visiting the Ambrosoli company, discovered these nameless fizzy treats. Impressed by their appeal, Landry began importing them to the United States under the name "Zotz." The origin of the name itself remains a subject of debate, with some attributing it to a 1962 movie and others to Landry's personal expression, "don't give me the Zotz." Today, Zotz candies are available in a variety of fruit flavors, including cherry, blue raspberry, grape, apple, watermelon, strawberry, and orange, and are still produced by the Ambrosoli company in Como. A recent review by "Candy Is Dandy" highlighted the candy's enduring appeal. "The flavors are fine," stated the reviewer, "but the fun of the fizzy interior is a great cheap thrill. It's kinda like biting into a battery, but without the hospital bills." The reviewer ultimately rated Zotz 1.8 out of 5 "cavities," suggesting a mixed but generally positive reception for its novelty factor.

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The 1970s Fizzy Candy Nobody Seems To Eat Anymore - Foodie

Back in the 1970s, the fizzy candy known as ZotZ was plenty popular and is still available today. So how come it seems like nobody eats them anymore?