Ben Hur Candies

Re:Ben Hur Candies (ShannonN)

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:53:35 GMT

If the kind you're looking for are actually Sen Sen, you can still get those at oldtimecandy.com

Re:Ben Hur Candies (ShannonN)

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 22:51:35 GMT

Though these are good, and hopefully you'll like them, I'm told that Ben Hurs had a somewhat soapy taste in comparison. I have an idea for a recipe, but I've yet to get around to trying it. I'll post when I do, but I don't think I can make them very competitively to these factory made ones.
Shannon

Re:Ben Hur Candies (Larry53)

Thu, 10 Jan 2013 13:30:02 GMT

I found a site on line Blaircandy.com. They offer Richardson Anise Mints. The photo looks promising - they kinda look like the Ben Hur's (we also called them sen sen). It was 20 years ago the last time I bought sen sen at the Globe Store in Scranton, PA. I'm will take a chance and order them - unfortunately, 4 pounds for about 18 dollars.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (Bubbles447)

Wed, 26 Dec 2012 02:52:50 GMT

I've been going nuts for years trying to find a candy, and what I'm reading on this post sounds like it may be Ben Hurs since I don't remember the name. Here is what I recall when I bought them as a child. The candy pieces came in a box that was yellow with black and grey markings on it......the box was maybe 4" long......and I "think" it had the Heide diamond logo on it. The little pillows of candy were grey in color but not really puffy but not entirely flat either, and I remember at least one side of the pillow had lines on it which looked like someone had run a fork across it. They looked like they "could" be a licorice mint, but no licorice mint I ever tried tasted quite like this candy and I can still taste its unique flavor until today. I used to purchase it in the early 1960s when I was in grade school........some kids liked it, and others who hated it used to laugh and call them "soapies". Please just post a comment on this website to let me know if this is how you all remember them........at least I'll know what they were called if this sounds like them. Thanks!

Re:Ben Hur Candies (rascal57)

Sat, 15 Dec 2012 13:02:03 GMT

My husband and I both enjoyed Sens Sens as kids and found them several years ago at candy stores under the name Ben Hurs. They stopped making them and we are very disappointed. Thinking about them again, I decided to see if there was anything new on the internet and I found a website pentitioning the company holding the recipe to release it. They need 250 signatures. Check it out and sign.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (mrtom)

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:21:48 GMT

Has anyone had any luck finding Ben Hurs yet? I'm originally from Nanticoke PA and used to get them from Diamonds Candy store. Doing an internet search led me to this forum. I didn't know there were so many people on this same quest! I sure hope we can find some or at least the recipe to make them.

Re:Ben Hur Candies (shmoe)

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 11:25:19 GMT

I have read the blogs on the ben hur candy, and I miss them as much as anyone.
I am orig. from Buffalo, and I heard the recipe came from the native Americans near Rochester, NY.
They were sold in bulk at many stores in the Buffalo area, and I always
had a bag of them near me.
I also emailed the Farleys & Sathers and told them they must release the recipe
or sell the candy.
One possible lead to the secret ingredient is that I purchased a cigar called Acid Kuba Kuba, and the scent of the cigar band
is exactly like a ben hur.
I wonder if the ingredients are such (tobacco) that they can't release the recipe?
If your are near a cigar store, go in and smell the wrapper on an acid Kuba Kuba cigar.
Meantime good luck.
Joe

Re:Ben Hur Candies (dale ray)

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 16:12:03 GMT

I have been on a search for these candies for many years. My Dad called them sen sens but the sen sens they sell in the foil pack isn't even close. I have although came across a product similar in flavor as a ben hur. The product is Violet mints by maker C. Howard. Give these a whirl and let me know what ya think.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (patmic)

Sun, 06 Feb 2011 09:51:17 GMT

Good Luck,

After I initially confirmed that they had the recipe I contacted them to inquire about selling it but they did not reply. They only ever sent me the standard reply that I posted in here a couple years ago. I'm hoping that you have better luck with them.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (PolishBear)

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 10:30:53 GMT

Well, it looks like the ONLY way we're ever going to revive the old Ben Hurs is for someone to BUY the recipe from Farleys & Sathers, since they claim it is proprietary information. But they've already said they have no plans to sell the recipe. Isn't it sad? The company isn't going to post the recipe to their website, but they're not going to sell it, and they certainly don't plan to start manufacturing Ben Hurs again. I mean, just stab me in the heart and get it over with.

CHUCK ANZIULEWICZ

RE: Ben Hur Candies (tourtierre)

Sun, 16 Jan 2011 20:34:41 GMT

I'm glad to see this thread is still alive. After tasting a licorice jelly bean today, I (once again) got on google and tried to find out about a licorice candy I used to get in Ann Arbor, Michigan , some 40 years ago. It had a complex licorice taste that had a texture like a mint with a bit of a fizz as it melted. I used to buy it in a tin can. Never knew the name of the candy but was hoping I would find out some day. It sure sounds like the candy you all are looking for. I will also contact Farley & Sather's.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (kishkaeater)

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 11:47:33 GMT

I like black licorice and I like Sen Sen so I'm sure I'd like Ben Hurs I've never heard of them.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (PolishBear)

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:04:40 GMT

I just got a reply from Farley's & Sathers concerning the recipe for Ben Hurs (see above):

Dear Mr. Anziulewicz:

Thank you for writing Farley's & Sathers Candy Company, Inc. regarding Heide® Ben Hur. Hearing from our consumers better enables us to continue to provide quality products and services. Consumer feedback is very important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to respond.

The recipe for Ben Hur Candy is proprietary information owned by Farley's & Sathers Candy Company. At this time there are no plans to sell or share the recipe.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us regarding the availability of this product. I will share your comments with our marketing and research and development departments. This information will be helpful in our efforts to improve our current product offerings and in the development of new items.

Thank you for taking the time to contact us with your inquiry. Please visit our website at [FarleysandSathers - dot - com] for additional information about our products and services.

Sincerely,

Suzie Webb
Consumer Relations

RE: Ben Hur Candies (MartyK)

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:21:48 GMT

Hey Polish Bear. Great idea. I actually have some original ones in my possession. Had them from the mid 90's in a can in my cabinet and forgot about them. I ate one, pretty much taste like it should. I also have an original color catalog page of them

RE: Ben Hur Candies (PolishBear)

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 13:14:45 GMT

I sent the following email to the Farley's & Sathers Candy Company:

DEAR FARLEY’S & SATHERS:

It has come to my attention that the Farley’s & Sathers Candy Company has acquired the rights to the old Heide line of candy products. This is of great interest to me, since there is one old Heide candy that many people, including myself, have been obsessing about for many years: Ben Hurs.

Ben Hurs could be described as after-dinner mints in shape and consistency. They were a dark grey color. It was the TASTE that was the most unique thing about them. Ben Hurs have been described as tasting like Sen-Sen, patchouli, or candied ginger. Some people would describe the taste as “floral” or even “soapy.”

Yet as bizarre as that sounds, Ben Hurs actually have a rather fervent cult following or fan base, at least among those of us above a certain age!

I have heard through the grapevine that Farley’s & Sathers is not interested in producing Ben Hurs. The official explanation goes like this: “Due to the high cost of production for specialty items and the lack of sales, we simply cannot justify the manufacturing of this item at this time. The cost to the consumer would not be in line with other items currently available.”

Fair enough! However, if Farley’s & Sathers will never produce Ben Hurs again, would it be possible for the company to post the recipe for this product to your website? I could not help but notice that your website includes a long list of recipes already, and there are home candy makers who would be extremely interested in recreating this nostalgic confection!

I hope you will favor me with a reply. If it will never be possible to purchase Ben Hurs again, at least I could try making them at home!

I would encourage all fans of Ben Hurs candy to copy this letter and send to:
comments (at) farleysandsathers (dot) com

RE: Ben Hur Candies (Arctic Cat)

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 21:34:15 GMT

WValleyWest

My 2 cents. Sent thru email and thru comment page.

Ms. Graber, 12/16/07

Good day. As a middle aged man, having grown up in the sixties, I have enjoyed my share of candy.....

___,,,^.~.^,,,___ Wow, this thread has contributions going back as far as 2004 and then no more since 2009! I wonder if any of the original posters are still listening. Hello? Anybody still out there on this one? By the way, hi WValleyWest! I went there to for one year before moving to Mountaintop and transferring to Crestwood. It sounds like roughly during the same timeframe. I wonder if I know you? Drop me a line if you want at .

___,,,^.~.^,,,___ I used to pine for these little candies for years and never knew what the real name was...until tonight when I stumbled upon this forum thread (thank you Mr. Google). We always used to call them Sen-Sens as several others here have pointed out, but now after hearing the name Ben Hur, I do recall my father once telling that's what they were supposed to be called.

___,,,^.~.^,,,___ We used to get them in Wilkes-Barre at The Boston Store way, way, way before Boscov bought them out. I remember getting them (both the grey anise ones and the lavender ones) at the food counter on the second floor near the parking deck entrance! I'm certain I recall that the Boston Store employees baked them right there on site. I remember watching one of the women pull a large sheetcake size tray of them out of an oven with mitts and my Dad and I had to wait for them to cool before she could crack the sheet into the little pillows and bag them. Maybe someone reading this knows someone who had an older family member that worked in the Boston Store candy kitchen and remembers the recipe? Wishful thinking I suppose.

___,,,^.~.^,,,___ The closest thing in flavor I've found over the years is a flavor of Life Saver candy that is sold only in Australia...not a knock-off brand but real actual Life Saver brand. They are an opaque, pastel pink color sold as "Musk" flavor. My company did some business with the Aussies a few years back and there were a number of onsite reps stationed at our plant. They had lots of these Musk Life Savers. Apparently they're very popular in Oz, and we were told an Aussie pastime when visiting is to offer a Life Saver to an American just to watch us gag and spit, because "Americans hate this flavor!" Well I'm proud to say I was the one who fooled them! I accepted the offer and two sucks into it I said, "OMG, Sen-Sens!!!!" The Aussie said, "Sen what's??" I loved them so much I had one of them mail me a whole case!
___,,,^.~.^,,,___ The flavoring in the Australian Musk candies is known to be patchouli, so reader hanshaas is correct in pointing that out. True, they're missing the licorice or anise component and so taste a little closer to the lavender Ben Hurs than the favorite grey ones, but one taste and you immediately recognize that patchouli is the magic ingredient that's missing from contemporary copies.

___,,,^.~.^,,,___ By the way, loved your letter to Farley and Sathers. I can't believe that impassioned plea after my own heart didn't elicit a more positive response! Any updates on that front since these postings stopped? I'd love to hear good news!

---Bye for now, and thanks for listening! :~)

Re:Ben Hur Candies (scrandel)

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 02:37:37 GMT

I believe I knew them as sen sen or sin sin. Timmy's market in Scranton PA sold them, they weren't in the Penny candy case, they were in a candy jar on the counter and when I would buy some the clerk would put them in the little brown candy bags. I also remember the purple ones too but they were hard to find.

Re:Ben Hur Candies (hanshaas)

Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:28:05 GMT

I used to buy Ben Hurs as a kid in Buffalo, NY at Parkside Candy. We checked them several years ago and they no longer carried them.

I have figured out the flavor is patchouli. Everytime I smell a patchouli candle or incense I think about them. I went as far as to buy some patchouli oil and put it in an after dinner mint-type candy formula- I couldn't get rid of a bitter aftertaste, but it seemed generally correct.

Don't know much else. If I could figure out the formula I would start a business.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (kms)

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 10:13:14 GMT

I also am looking for the lavender candies that I have found, after reading all the discussion are called ben hurs. My grandmother used to buy them for herself and her family in the 60's and for about the past 15 years or so we've been searching with no luck. Thanks for confirming that I'm not losing it. Will be actively watching for any results that are posted

RE: Ben Hur Candies (WValleyWest)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:40:24 GMT

After reading a bit on paregoric, no wonder us kids liked these "Ben Hurrs" !!

Dan

RE: Ben Hur Candies (WValleyWest)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 23:34:09 GMT

Pat,
Good to hear your close. You have the patience of a saint.
I for one am interested if you find the mystery combination.

Dan

RE: Ben Hur Candies (patmic)

Sun, 20 Jan 2008 15:05:37 GMT

Yeah, I never received a reply back from Farleys and Sather's after their initial reply that I posted in here. You are right, maybe no news is good news. However, I spent the last month trying to make it myself. A few weeks ago I posted the dismal results. I have made it many more times since then, some even worse than my original attempts........................... BUT............... I finally got something that I got called VERY CLOSE by everyone who tried it. I have been working off that recipe to perfect it and no matter what I do from that it makes it worse. I work with a woman who is also working off my recipe. She has dozens of cook books, many of which are candy cook books for recipes from candy we have not heard of in very many years. We are attempting to modify this recipe one ingredient at a time. Once we get it perfected we will let you know. Of course, it's not in the "pillows" or mints shape that we remember but the shape means nothing to me. I have been working with different extracts besides anise, hoping to get even closer. My sister believes they used paregoric, for those of you whose parents ever gave them this medicine when they were kids. Actually, I just wikipedia'd this medicine and found that one of the key ingredients was anise oil. So, I give you credit Maria! Anyone have any paregoric in their parents' medicine cabinets out there they are not using? Should anyone else want to email Farley's and Sathers to express their interest in seeing the candy brought back even if it's once a year, their contact email address is comments@farleysandsathers.com or visit the company's website to see what other Heide candy (Heide is the company that originally made the candy) they sell. I have to say knowing that I can make something myself that is very close takes a lot of the anxiety out of it. These companies are not making anything that you can't create yourself. Those of you familiar with the Dunmore Candy Kitchen will know that they have been making Cherry Cola's long before Coca Cola and they are far better. There's not a candy out there you can't duplicate yourself; it's just taking the time to work on it.

Patrick

RE: Ben Hur Candies (WValleyWest)

Sat, 19 Jan 2008 18:49:36 GMT

Well, been a while since I sent a letter to Farley & Sathers....never got a reply. Is no news good news???

Keep the Faith!

RE: Ben Hur Candies (PurplePlum1)

Fri, 18 Jan 2008 23:10:12 GMT

I can't believe this forum exists. I would talk about these 'sim-sims' to my Pocono friends (orig. from the Scranton area - we know what sim-sims are - LOL; but now, the Poconos - maybe they don't?), and they would look at me as if I had three heads! LOL I can't tell you how many people thought I was talking about those God awful Sen-Sen pieces. (Yuck! ...not even close in taste) I never knew they were called Ben Hurs, though; always knew them as sim-sims....so I'm also learning a lot from all of you.

When we visit family in Dunmore, we always stop at GH...but it's always the same answer - No, I'm sorry.

I'm glad you all are out here. I'll be back again.

Have a good night & weekend...

RE: Ben Hur Candies (patmic)

Sun, 06 Jan 2008 21:30:55 GMT

Happy New Year Everyone,

Just thought I would keep everyone posted. I had mentioned before that I was going to attempt making my own candy. I have made 2 batches already, each worse than the other. Ended up with sambuca flavored taffy more or less but I will keep working on it. The flavor is completely wrong. There must have been ingredients that were not obvious in the Ben Hurs. Anyway, I will work on it. Just don't know if anyone else has tried. Let me know. Keep me posted. Also, has anyone else emailed farleys and sathers yet and expressed interest in having them bring the product back to market? It couldn't hurt. They hold the recipe but are not even familiar with the product, never having explored the candy any further. What a shame. I posted their response previously, their main concern was that it was an expensive product to manufacture and it wasn't in line with their current products. There definitely is a niche in the marketplace for this product and other higher end candy. There were also very good suggestions by some of you which included just making it at a certain time of year (I would definitely stock up). Anyway, all we can do is keep the interest going. Email me directly if you want at patgeneric@hotmail.com

I will keep you all posted on my progress but definitely take a minute and email them expressing interest in having the product return even if for a limited trial basis. comments@farleysandsathers.com

Patrick

RE: Ben Hur Candies (matilda)

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:33:22 GMT

quote:
Originally posted by patmic

Marty,

...I love to catch an old version of a game show and you see products mentioned that you have not thought about or heard of in 25 years. They may have even been very popular at the time but later were discontinued for lack of demand. ...

Pat

Something I never realized or considered. You've given me a reason to, at least occasionally, stop the remote on that channel from time-to-time.

RE: Ben Hur Candies (patmic)

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:10:36 GMT

Marty,

I am so glad you gave a heads up before posting the link to the pic because I believe I may have lost it had I not been prepared for the pic first! I got depressed when you started to mention the guy at the "Major League" candy store believing there was little chance of it returning to market. You're right. It's a certain demographic that enjoyed the product. Although, it is encouraging that some products do come back by popular demand. Wunderle had a great line of candies. Products come and go every day in this country without incident. They're discontinued. I love to catch an old version of a game show and you see products mentioned that you have not thought about or heard of in 25 years. They may have even been very popular at the time but later were discontinued for lack of demand. I realize that Ben Hurs may never return to market. From a financial standpoint it makes absolutely good business sense. But a product like that should not simply be left to never be made again when there is a demand to keep it going. I would love to buy the recipe if it were for sale. I offered that in my original email to Farley's and Sathers. If they NEVER plan to manufacture it, why not let a small time guy or group of guys have it at a fair price. If I could only make enough of it in my house for family and friends who loved the product I would be happy. I thought you were going to tell me that the guy from Major League had the recipe for it. If the product is not returned, my original goal was to at least find someone who worked at the company who made the Ben Hurs and knew the recipe or at least the ingredients. I don't need it back in the Gertrude Hawk candy stores again to be happy. Just on my kitchen counter! Can't wait to see the pic again when you get it posted. I get more optimistic with every new posting in here.

Pat

RE: Ben Hur Candies (MartyK)

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 06:57:34 GMT

I had the time to stop at a "Major League" candy store, no, make that warehouse, called b.a. Sweetie, Located in Cleveland on the west side.( if you are ever near Cleveland, you have got to stop at b.a. Sweetie. Every candy, and I mean every candy, currently made is here. In mega amounts too. I was lucky to strike up a conversation with a gentleman putting up more stock. His name was Tom and we had a pleasant conversation about our beloved Ben Hurs. He is the owner. His outlook on them coming back was not very good. he stated the big candy companies must mfr. for the masses to turn profit and that the Ben Hur market is limited to a certain age demographic. I reminded him that I got my kids started on them when they were 4, 6, and 9 respectively, and they still talk about how great they were. In light on his bleak answer he also alluded to Snaps and how they were not made for 5 or 6 years and how a grass roots movement of people bombarded the liquorice mfr. so much they brought them back and they are still being made. So maybe there is hope for our Ben Hurs. Now some more interesting news. This gentleman was kind enough to copy his 80's Wunderle Candy Co. Catalog, in color no less, and it has pictured the Ben Hurs and other nostalgic items they made. I will be trying to link the copies( 3 pages) to this blog sometime today for those who would like a copy. Marty

RE: Ben Hur Candies (patmic)

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:30:14 GMT

Dan, Here's a link to the one that we get every year from one of our sales reps. The outside of the box says "Candy you ate as a kid". You can choose from a different decade or you can pick and choose. Take a look at the extensive list they have. Everyone goes nuts for this. You can view them alphabetically and there's a pic for every one.

http://www.oldtimecandy.com/packabag.htm

----------------------

there's also www.oldfashionedcandystore.com

You're right on the gummy bears and marketing the Ben Hurs differently. I would eat St. Paddy's Day Leprechaun Ben Hurs, Halloween jack-o-lantern mints, or even the deer poop I think it's called in the little bags, if they were Ben Hurs, I wouldn't care of the shape. I haven't heard back from the email I sent them again a few days ago. It took a few days to get the last response. Either way it's worth keeping them aware of the interest in the Ben Hurs. Only drawback to us is that this company has never manufactured them; they only acquired the recipe as part of a group purchase. They may have more on their plate right now with the products that are currently manufacturing. Oh well, we'll keep it going. As far as the other sites that mention it, I can't find the comments I was looking for and maybe those blogs are no longer active. A quick search found them mentioned on a couple sites like candyaddict.com but it's more of a question to others if anyone knew where they could find them. Trouble with discussions in the past was the candy's name, since everyone called them something different like sen-sens and anise mints. Discussion always went back and forth just with the name alone. Oh well, hope you have a nice holiday too. Merry Christmas everyone.

Pat

RE: Ben Hur Candies (WValleyWest)

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 21:24:48 GMT

Pat,
Do you have a down and dirty list of the various sites where they discussed the Ben Hur? Otherwise I can start doing some searching.

I usually get a hankering, and buy some, then ship a care package off to my 2 sisters. TeaBerry gum, Flying Saucers, CHowards Violet gum and candies. Always a big hit. As a matter of fact, I just ordered some Beemans gum and other oddities from a couple of sites. Beemans was discontinued, then made limited production run by popular demand in 1985 and again in 2005, according to some web sites. So it is done by some companies.
Farley's and Sather could even market the Ben Hur during Halloween and mold them into a little black bat shape or witch hats, even black cats. How cool would that be.

I mean come on, how many different 'shapes' of gummy candies are there, all the same taste, just a different shape. Either a bear, a worm, a snake, a caterpillar, geeze, give me a break.

Have a Merry Christmas and happy Holiday season, all.
My New Years resolution is to do all I can to get Ben Hurs back in the candy stores.

Dan