Confection EducationVan Otis Sweet Spot Now Open

Van Otis retail patrons can finally have the question answered, “How DO they do it?” The Sweet Spot, adjacent to the Manchester, NH candy shop, is now open to complete the sensory experience at Van Otis Chocolates.

The former Van Otis Café space located at 341 Elm Street has been transformed to share a glimpse into our handmade candy making process. See the fresh ingredients that go into every Van Otis product. Smell the confection combination that makes every product a one-of-a-kind. Taste a sample prepared in front of you by our confectioners.












This interactive setting is great for inquiring kids and adults alike! The Sweet Spot also offers a leisurely seating area and coffee station.

Stop into the Sweet Spot today and see for yourself why Van Otis was voted as New Hampshire’s Best for the eighth year in a row.

Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice

Most New Englanders choose to endure tough winters because they love the very in-your-face change of seasons. Fall is truly my favorite. I love the vibrant colors, a slight evening chill, football games, and pumpkin-infused everything.

I can’t get enough of the flavors and aromas created by the combination of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger. It’s in my coffee, candles, ice cream, and body lotion. My husband and I literally had a high-five moment when we discovered our favorite pumpkin-flavored beer on the grocery store shelves.


I seek it out knowing that candy cane and gingerbread flavors will soon oust my beloved pumpkin. Like a squirrel preparing for a long winter, I hoard pumpkin-flavored items that won’t be seen again until next fall.


I recently added two items to my seasonal stockpile: Van Otis’s White Chocolate Pumpkin Pie Spice Creams and Pumpkin Fudge. Encased in a white chocolate shell and sprinkled with sugar crystals and pie spices, the creamy pumpkin center of the pumpkin pie creams is melt-in-your-mouth good. The fudge is a more subtle blend of pumpkin flavoring and spices. The creamy, buttery fudge doesn’t leave a greasy coating in your mouth like most fudge does, and it’s complemented by a light cinnamon and sugar topping.

Sugar, spice, and everything pumpkin. That’s what this little girl is made of.

Totally Tubular

I remember thinking that the term “retro” meant things from the past that are now cool again. You know, it was the return of avocado green appliances, bell bottoms, and frosty-blue eye shadow. I felt like I’d been gagged with a spoon the first time I realized that those things defining my generation - music, clothing styles, slang terms - are now what constitute “retro”.

The first time I became aware of this trend was when I identified my first “remake” on the radio. I was so indignant listening to the cover band make a complete mess of the original. I thought, “What a poser.” I’ve now come to terms with the fact that my music can be heard during “way back weekends” and “the ‘80s at eight”.

The greatest blow to my aging ego occurred this past Halloween. Tweener after tweener arrived at our door dressed in their ‘80s costumes. It’s surprising enough to see styles that you once wore cycle back to the store clothes racks - but a costume? Wicked.

Retro or “old-fashioned” candy is one of the few exceptions to this disheartening evolution. As mentioned in the previous blog “Like a Kid in a Candy Store”, candy is often associated with pleasant childhood memories. In most cases, old-fashioned really refers to candy from an earlier time during our life-span rather than that from an earlier generation.

You don’t have to “eat my shorts” to reconnect with your youth. Just eat some candy.

Don't Sugar Coat It

According to the American Diabetes Association, a total of 23.6 million Americans had diabetes in 2007. That’s 8.0% of our total population. Even more concerning is the statistic that 57 million people were diagnosed at that time with “pre-diabetes”. It’s pretty clear that without health improvements gained by diet, exercise, and/or medicinal intervention, this population is going to give that 8.0% a big bump - and not for the better.

What a chocolate buzz kill.

Thankfully abstinence from the pleasure of sweets isn’t the only option for those who are combating or hovering near diabetic conditions. Sugar-free options exist and even better news, REALLY GOOD sugar-free options exist.

Bypass the dust-covered bags of chalky chocolates hanging on the store-chain pegs and head to Van Otis Chocolates in Manchester, NH or http://www.vanotis.com/ for some sugar-free treats. They offer many of their hand-made confections in sugar-free form.

You can enjoy novelties such as their award-winning Swiss Fudge, Cashew Clusters, Coconut Clusters, Almond Butter Crunch, Macadamia Caramel Patties, Cashew Caramel Patties, Almond Bark, Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups, Almond Butter Toffee, Milk Chocolate Raisin Clusters, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties, Orange Sherbet Creams, Vanilla Butter Creams, Black Raspberry Sherbet Creams, Maple Walnut Creams, Raspberry Jellies, Orange Jellies, Milk Espresso Truffles, Mint Truffles, Meltaways, Peanut Butter Truffles, Black Raspberry Truffles, and many more!

Sweeeet. (Sugar-free, of course.)