The Halloween candy that debuted the decade you were born

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Candy may be an essential part of part of Halloween, but it doesn't appear that it's always been that way.  

In fact, when American children first started trick-or-treating in the 1930s and 1940s kids received "everything from homemade cookies and pieces of cake to fruit, nuts, coins and toys," according to History.com.

People starting adding candy to their trick-or-treat traditions in the 1950s as candy companies marketed products for Halloween and by the 1970s, candy became the "only acceptable thing to hand out," because parents were worried about homemade treats, according to the website.

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In honor of Halloween 2022 and trick-or-treating, check out which candy was released the decade you were born. 

Candy became an essential part of trick-or-treating in the 1970s.  (iStock)

1940s

Mars released M&M's in 1941, according to History.com and Bazooka bubble gum was introduced in 1947, according to Bazooka Candy Brands. 

Hershey reports it created Almond Joy in 1948 and the company that made Smarties first opened in 1949, according to smarties.com.

M&M's were first released in 1941 by candy company, Mars. (iStock)

1950s

Hot Tamales, the popular cinnamon-flavored candies, were introduced in 1950, according to Just Born Quality Confections, the Pennsylvania-based company which created Hot Tamales. 

Pixy Stix, the powdered candy packaged in a straw, were also sold in the 50s, according to NPR.

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1960s

Starburst, which was originally called Opal Fruits, was released in the U.K. in 1960 and came to the U.S. in 1967, according to Delish. 

Haribo Goldbears gummy bears were also released in 1960, according to Haribo. In 1962, Lemonheads were released, according to Ferrara Candy Company.

1970s

Skittles were first produced in the U.K. in 1974, according to a Penn State blog on the history of candy.

Pop Rocks weren’t invented and released as they are today the 70s, Though a similar form of ‘Carbonated Candy’ was invented in 1956, according to the Pop Rocks' website. 

Pop Rocks, a candy that pops on top of your tongue, were released in the 70s.  (iStock)

Reese’s Pieces were also invented and released in the same decade, according to hersheyarchives.org.

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1980s

Nerds were invented in 1983, according to Eater. 

Sour Patch Kids were introduced in 1985, according to Mondelēz International, Inc. – the brand which owns the candy.

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1990s

In the 1990s, Hershey’s Cookies ‘N’ Creme bars first hit store shelves in 1994, according to hersheyland.com.

2000s

Candy company Goelitz – which became Jelly Belly Candy Company in 2001 – released Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans in 2000, inspired by the "Harry Potter" franchise, according to jellybelly.com.