What are Needhams made of?

A needham is a confectionery dessert bar made from sugar, chocolate, coconut, and potato. It is chiefly associated with the U.S. state of Maine.

Where are Needhams made?

Maine
The Maine potato candy known as the needham has always stood in the shadow of the whoopie pie, but generations of Mainers have nonetheless revered the sweet confection. Mainers find needhams in their Christmas stockings. Maine moms get them in gift boxes on Mother’s Day. Maine grandmas make them at home.

Are Needhams a Maine thing?

Maine’s Needhams: A Sweet Treat Of Earthy Potatoes Needhams are a traditional Maine candy made with chocolate, coconut and an unlikely state staple: potatoes. Maine’s official state treat is the whoopie pie, but many still look fondly on the coconutty goodie their grandmothers used to make.

What candy is Maine known for?

Needhams
Needhams are a chocolate potato candy that originated in the state of Maine.

What kind of potatoes grow in Maine?

The top potato varieties grown in Maine (fall harvest 2016, by acreage) are:

  • Russet Burbank (40.6%)
  • Frito-Lay varieties (15.7%)
  • Norland (5.1%)
  • Russet Norkotah (4.8%)
  • Snowden (4.4%)

What foods are Maine known for?

Iconic Maine foods that you should eat on your next visit

  • Wild blueberries | Nervous Nellie’s Jams and Jellies.
  • Donuts | The Holy Donut.
  • Needhams | Robin’s Confections.
  • Whoopie pies | Wicked Whoopies.
  • Mustard | Raye’s Mustard.
  • Pie | Pies on Parade.
  • Fried clams | Five Islands Lobster Co.
  • Red snapper hot dogs | W.A. Bean & Sons.

Who invented Needhams?

This candy dates back to approximately 1872 and it was named after George C. Needham, a popular preacher from Maine. But the candy itself was developed by a cook who worked for a candy-maker named Seavy – and he ingeniously came up with the idea of developing a candy using Maine potatoes.

Are Idaho potatoes really better?

The soil, clear clean water, clean air and climate in Idaho make potatoes superior to any potato grown anywhere else. Potatoes seem to grow better in a light soil, like volcanic ash which has a rich supply of trace minerals and appears to be necessary for successful potato production.

Do potatoes like sulfur?

The potato crop has a demand for sulfur in similar quantities to magnesium. Where potassium sulfate is commonly used, supplies are usually adequate. Best effects come from applying sulfur to the soil in a readily available form at planting.

What fruit is Maine known for?

wild blueberries
Maine is famous for its tiny, wild blueberries. These little blue flavor bombs are harvested from low-bush barrens across the state and have found their way into just about anything you can imagine—from delicious pies to spa treatments. Blueberries are best when they’re wild in Maine!

What kind of candy is a Needham made of?

Needhams are made with coconut and have a dark chocolate coating. They remind me of a Mound candy bar. They are delicious. This recipe halves easily, but who will want a half batch?

How many Needhams should I make with chocolate?

Hold each square over the chocolate mixture after dipping so the square drains well (I usually will have to reheat the chocolate inbetween dippings so it is nice and thin and drips of easily). Place on waxed paper to harden. Should make about 66 good sized needhams.

How to make dipping chocolate for Maine Needhams?

For the dipping chocolate, again use a double boiler. Place paraffin in the top over boiling water to melt. Then add the two kinds of chocolate and allow to melt. Stir well to mix ingredients.

Where did the Maine Needhams get their name?

Needhams are typical to Maine. They originated in Portland, Maine by a candy maker who had attended an evangelistic service in Portland in 1872. The evangelist’s name was the Rev. George C. Needham and because of many conversions, his name was on everyone’s lips.