Turtles (chocolate)

Turtles were developed by Johnson’s Candy Company (which became DeMet’s Candy Company in 1923) in 1918, after a salesman came into the commissary’s dipping room and showed a candy to one of the dippers, who pointed out that the candy looked like a turtle. Soon after, Johnson’s Candy Company was making the same kind of candy and selling it under the name "Turtles."[2]

Today, Turtles candies come in all sizes, shapes and recipes, some even shaped like a turtle, with modern mold-making techniques, but the originals were produced by candy dippers on a rectangular marble 'board', similar in size to a contemporary kitchen cutting board. The original recipe, as executed on marble, was pecans, caramel and various chocolates; they were a multi-task confection, requiring several sittings.

Pecans dipped in chocolate were commonly made in the early 1900s, however, Johnson's Candy Company first protected the trademark "Turtles." In 1923, the stores dropped the Johnson name and assumed the name DeMet's, passing along the trademark.[2]

Nestle owned the brand in the USA for a time, but sold it to Brynwood Partners' DeMet's Candy Company in 2007. In 2013, Brynwood sold the company to Yıldız Holding.[3]

In Canada, Nestle uses their brand name to sell Turtles at retailers. The Canadian packaging features Mr. Turtle, a mascot of an anthropomorphic turtle wearing a tuxedo, a top hat, and a monocle.[4][5]

The turtles are the favorite sweets of Rochelle Rock, series character Everybody Hates Chris, acting as a soothing to her. The character appeared eating them in several episodes and even had a withdrawal crisis when she had to stop eating them for a short time.

• Canadian website (Nestlé)
• U.S. website (DeMets)