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Have Craving, Will Travel By Amy Ziff, Editor-at-Large August 4, 2004 How far would you go for a craving? Would you hop on a plane to satisfy your pang for a sweet so special it can only be found in a particular part of the country? If so, you're not alone. Self-proclaimed sweetie and candy freak Steve Almond has written a book about his adventures to savor some of the country's select regional candies--ones you simply can't find anywhere else. So the question is, just how much of a chocoholic are you? Can you truly be classified as a candy freak? Though admittedly addicted, I once gave up chocolate for an entire year to the shock and amazement of my friends. I'm still prone to sugar binge, however, having read Steve's book aptly titled Candyfreak, I think I only qualify as a minor-league connoisseur. What I loved most about this book is the concept that candy can be yet another inspiration--a kind of salvation, if you will--as a reason to travel. Travel is about experiencing new things, and taste is a part of that. Almond gives us plenty of reasons to take a flight, bus, or train in the name of scrumptious, regional rewards. There are those who believe that mass-produced candy is just not the same as the superior brands, which are made with TLC at a lesser-known, often family run, candy company. Not just a flavor from the past, these producers are trying to preserve a place in history by simply surviving. Explore candy from the East Coast shores of Boston, Baltimore, and Brooklyn to the mountainous West in Idaho, Seattle, and San Francisco. Or venture off the beaten path to Lufkin, Texas or Merriam, Kansas. You'll also want to remember that our neighbors to the north have their own fabulous delicacies that aren't available in the states. If you want to know more about where to sample the goods, the detailed list below will show you where to begin. Lets be honest, sometimes, the only way to sate your craving is to give in to it. If you’re a candy aficionado, or if you simply like sweet treats, it's reason enough. Borrowing inspiration from the candy taste-master, the ideas below are from Steve's lifelong study in candy. I say, let your taste test begin! When you go in search of chocolate, remember that you'll want to bring enough home to satisfy that late-night hankering for a taste you can only get across the country. Travel tip numero uno is to pack an extra bag and stock up! P.S. If you're on a diet, the book may be enough to satisfy your cravings. Please visit amazon.com. Sweets Worth The Travel Time: Boise, Idaho Idaho Candy Company Idaho Spud: A marshmallow in the shape of a half potato, covered in chocolate and coconut flakes. http://www.idahospud.com/ Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Goldenberg Candy Company Goldenberg Peanut Chews: A Philly classic. Loads of peanuts embedded in a yummy chew with chocolate coating. http://www.goldenbergcandy.com/story.html Nashville, Tennessee Standard Candy Company The Goo Goo Cluster: A pleasure bomb for the mouth that includes marshmallow, caramel, peanuts, and TWO layers of chocolate. http://www.standardcandy.com/ Merriam, Kansas Sifers Valomilk Valomilk: A creamy chocolate cup filled with vanilla syrup--a sublime combination. http://www.valomilk.com/ St. Paul, Minnesota Pearson’s Candy Company Nut Goodie: The classic cold-weather comfort bar. http://www.pearsoncandy.com/Home.htm Burlington, Vermont Lake Champlain Chocolates Five Star Bar: Gorgeously engineered gourmet bars. Any flavor could blow you away. http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/ Seattle, Washington Fran’s Chocolates Gray Sea Salt Caramel: You’ve got to taste these to believe (sugar + salt = yum!). http://www.franschocolates.com/ San Francisco, California Annabelle Candy Big Hunk: delicious, chewy, vanilla nougat with fried peanuts throughout. Also look for the Abba Zaba and the Rocky Road. http://www.annabelle-candy.com/ Lufkin, Texas Atkinson Chic-o-Stick: A delightful wand of peanut butter in a hard candy shell, with toasted coconut. http://www.atkinsoncandy.com/ Boston, Massachusetts. Necco Necco Wafers: Who can resist the classic Wafer? Necco also makes two regional bars: the Sky Bar and the storied Clark, a Pittsburgh transplant. http://www.necco.com/ Mt. Sterling, Kentucky. Ruth Hunt Candies Blue Monday: a kind of hardened cream enrobed in chocolate. http://www.ruthhuntcandy.com Sioux City, Iowa Palmer Candy Twin Bing: A sweet cherry cream covered with crushed peanuts and chocolate. http://www.palmercandy.com/ Baltimore, Maryland. Goetze Bull’s Eye: Tasty caramels with a cream center. http://www.goetzecandy.com Brooklyn, New York Jacque Torres Chocolates All items: Pretty much anything Torres makes is scrumdillyicious. http://www.jacquestorres.com/ Canton, Ohio Harry London Buckeyes: A creamy peanut butter center dipped in milk chocolate. You’d be nuts not to love them. http://www.londoncandies.com/ Salt Lake City, Utah Taffy Town Salt Water Taffy: Divine taffy made the old-fashioned way, with lots of bold flavors. Green or caramel apple, anyone? www.taffytown.com Grenada, West Indies Grenada Chocolate Company Milk Chocolate Bar: The world’s best solar-powered chocolate, incredibly intense natural flavor. http://www.grenadachocolate.com/ Smiths Falls, Ontario, Canada Hershey’s Chocolate Shoppe Cherry Blossom: If you like cherries, chocolate, peanuts and coconut, this Canadian specialty will tickle your taste buds. http://www.hersheys.com/smithsfalls/ Canada Nestle Coffee Crisp: Think Kit-Kat, only with a coffee flavor. Simply divine. www.nestle.ca For the most recent travel news check out Amy Ziff's Travel Tips from AtoZ at www.travelocity.com/atoz. If you have a question or topic you would like me to cover in a future column, please e-mail Amy Ziff at ask.amy@travelocity.com ask.amy@travelocity.com. Come back monthly to see if your question has been answered.

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