Unicorn Pops (History, Pictures & Videos)

Unicorn pops are delightful treats that are full of fruity flavor. The unicorn pop has been around since 1932, when it was first made by Adams & Brooks, Inc. This delightful and whimsical candy captured the imagination of children who believed that they were really consuming a unicorn’s horn and possibly gaining magical powers by doing so.

This style of lollipop remains quite unique, which is likely a big part of why the candy has remained so popular even today. If you have never tried this confectionary delight, you really need to order yourself a unicorn horn or head to your local candy store and get one to try out. There is nothing quite like this traditional treat.

History

Unicorn pops were made by the Adams & Brooks company in the early 1930s and the treat has continued to be made by this family-owned company ever since. The company began when Emmert Brooks and Paul Adams met in the most unlikely way possible.

Brooks picked up Adams as a hitchhiker and Adams helped Emmert to sell some saws that he needed to part with. Their friendship grew over time and the two went into business during the great depression. Adams had a family recipe for caramel corn and the two sold bags of this treat outside the local theater while people waited to buy tickets.

The business grew rapidly and before long, the pair owned a raw corn processing plant in Kansas for their needs as well as a popping plant. When popcorn started being sold in the lobbies of theaters, the pair branched out and started crafting sweets. The most recognizable of these treats are Unicorn Pops and the jumbo size Whirly Pops.

By the late 50s, they had gotten contracts to sell candied nuts as well as confectionery products at the Los Angeles fairgrounds and they registered their trademark P-Nuttles since the candied nuts were so popular.  The pair also opened locations for candy sales and more at the Pan Pacific Auditorium, at local Ice Shows, and for all the Auto Shows in Exposition Park.

The candy part of their business really took off when they were contracted to open four locations within the first amusement park in Southern California in 1955. This secured the success of the candy products that they still make today and the locations stayed open for the life of the amusement park.

John Brooks Sr, son of founder Emmert, still runs the company and he works hard to stick to the products and standards that his father cared about when he started the company. There are factories in Mexico and California that belong to this company today and they still sell chocolate bars, caramels, lollipops, and sugar roasted nuts. The sensibility that guided the creative process of the original products that the company was built upon is evident even today.

The Adams & Brooks company has always prided themselves on being able to provide something special to people of all classes and they are proud to sell their products internationally as well in all the states of the US.

What Does a Unicorn Pop Look Like?

A Unicorn Pop is a long and thin lollipop with multi-colored strands of candy. They are bright, colorful and so easy to eat and there is a magical sense about carrying this candy delight with you as you eat it. Just as brightly colored as the Whirly Pops that the company is also known for, this is a classic candy treat that will make anyone smile.

Kids, in particular, are drawn to these colorful treats and they love to laugh as their colorful tongues when they are done eating them. There is something playful and delightful about this candy, from the shape and the bright colors to the yummy taste.

What Do Unicorn Pops Taste Like?

People report that this candy tastes fruity and that you can detect notes of unique flavors woven into the outside layers of the candy. As you consume the lollipop, the flavors blend into one sweet and satisfying fruity note that is really pleasant and not too sweet.

Some people try to just focus their attention on their favorite flavors when they begin to eat, but since the candy is twisted together, this is not really practical and you will have to end up just eating the whole thing at some point. There is no shortage of good things to say about the flavor of this classic confectionery treat, and it is so well-loved because the flavor is so popular.

What Sizes Are Unicorn Pops Sold in?

These distinctive unicorn lollipops are sold in a mini size. They are also sold in 18 inch and 12-inch lengths. The mini pops are a relatively new addition to the sizes that are offered for this treat and the 12-inch size is the classic offering.

People often use the min size for kid’s party bags or for trick or treating while the larger horns are more likely to be purchased at a candy store as a special treat. You can order Unicorn Pops from Amazon or buy them at Walmart. Other online candy stores sell them as well and they are commonly offered at any privately-owned candy store.

You can buy your favorites in boxes or singles as well. They are one of the few companies that will sell boxes of their favorite treats right to consumers off their website. Usually, you have to head to Amazon for that luxury. That being said, the Amazon price is sometimes better than the direct purchase price.

No corner candy seller is likely to miss out on having some classic Adams & Brooks products on their shelves, and Unicorn Pops are almost always among the offerings.

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What Are the Ingredients?

From the Amazon listing for mini unicorn pops:

• Sugar
• Corn syrup
• Natural and artificial flavors
• Citric acid in fruit flavors
• May include one or more of the following colors: Blue 1, Blue 2, Red 40, Red 40 Lake, Yellow 5, Yellow 6.

All in all, a simple candy with simple ingredients. This is true of many of the company’s products as they have tried to stay true to the old recipes that have always been successful for them. You will find some of the most simple and easy-to-understand labels on goods and products when you buy from Adams & Brooks for your sweet tooth’s needs.

Nutrition

Serving Size:	1 pop (12g)	% Daily Value*
Amount Per Serving
Calories from Fat	0
Calories	60
Total Fat	0g	0%
Saturated Fat	0g	0%
Trans Fat	0g
Cholesterol	0mg	0%
Sodium	0mg	0%
Total Carbohydrates	15g	5%
Dietary Fiber	0g	0%
Sugars	12g
Protein	0g
Vitamin A		0%
Vitamin C		0%
Calcium		0%
Iron		0%

• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet

Packaging

Originally, these candy treats would probably not have been protected by a wrapper of any kind. Today they are sold with simple plastic wrappers that have a cute little cartoon unicorn on them and the whimsical and cartoonish logo that states that they are Unicorn Pops. The packaging is upbeat and charming and the overall inspiration from vintage candy.

This is a candy that is still being sold in much the same way that it ever was. After all, there’s no need to change a marketing plan that is working, and Adams & Brooks have made limited changes over the years to their product design and packaging. This is one of the benefits of buying products from a family-owned company that is still under the family’s control. You will get a quality product that is still the same as it was when it was first made.

What Other Products Does Adams & Brooks Sell?

Many people are familiar with the large and colorful WhirlyPop that the company sells but they also sell Big Cherry candies which are a classic treat that many people still remember from their childhood. The P-Nuttles which were such popular 1930s candy are still going strong and you can also get a Good News Bar or some Fairtime Taffy from the brand. Their Coffee Rio candies are a yummy nod to your favorite cup of coffee and they come in various coffee flavors for those who love this candy type.

They also make the Charge Bar and Cup O Gold. Many of these treats will be more familiar to those who were young in the 50s and 60s, but it can be really fun to pick up these snacks and try them out with the younger people in your family. This is a candy company that has stayed true to its roots and still offers the best classic snacks and sweets that you will find anywhere.

On top of the fun flavor profiles of years gone by, you will love the simple and traditional candy packaging that the company still uses for all of its products. They have stayed true to the original branding styling of the company and you will love the simple and classic wrappers that come on every candy.

Pictures

Videos and Commercials

This is a great video about the Adams & Brooks company and you can see some of their ad campaigns as well as their other products features in it:

Check out some Lollipop ads from the company here