PEZ: the cult candy dispensers that became collector's items!

Life in PEZ: the story of an icon

The first PEZ candy came to life in 1927, dreamed up by Eduard Haas. Originally, it was a peppermint candy sold in little metal tins. By the way, the name PEZ doesn't come from its inventor's initials, but from the abbreviation of the word "PfeffErminZ" (peppermint) — you take the first letter, the middle one and the last: P-E-Z!

But the real turning point happened in the United States. As early as 1952, PEZ started operations in New York and revolutionized its concept: 1952 saw the first mechanical dispenser, then above all, from the '50s on, the famous character heads that top the dispenser. It's this genius idea — a candy plus a collectible toy — that made PEZ the worldwide phenomenon we know. The marketing turned toward kids, the flavors became fruity, and the legend was born.

Did you know PEZ holds a record for licenses?

If PEZ became cult, it's not so much for the taste of the candies (even if they are delicious!) as for its dispensers. Over the decades, more than 1,500 different heads have been created, and PEZ is the brand that has landed the most licensing deals of all time! Disney, Star Wars, SpongeBob, Marvel, the Minions, cartoon heroes, Halloween and Christmas characters... the list is almost endless. That's what makes it such a sought-after collectible.

The collectible PEZ dispensers

With their bright colors and their countless licenses, PEZ dispensers have become true collector's items. Around the world there's a huge community of collectors — the "PEZheads" — who trade rare models and hunt for exclusive editions. The phenomenon is so big that an entire museum is dedicated to them in the United States, and you'll find classic dispensers (about 12 cm) as well as more exceptional giant formats. Some rare models can even fetch crazy sums among collectors!

PEZ candies and refills

Of course, where there's a dispenser, there's candy! PEZ refills are those little compressed rectangular candies, available in many fruity flavors: strawberry, orange, raspberry, lemon, cherry... Enough to refill your favorite dispenser again and again. At MYAM, you'll find PEZ candy refills so you never run out of candy!

A fan's tip: PEZ as a gift or décor

The PEZ dispenser is the perfect little gift: slip one into a Christmas stocking, an Easter basket or a birthday party favor bag. Collectors also display them in a case or line them up on a shelf for a guaranteed pop, colorful effect. And for fans of geeky décor, a row of PEZ featuring your favorite heroes always makes an impression on a desk!

Where to find PEZ?

My American Market, your online American grocery store, selects the best of the PEZ universe for you. Whether you're a candy fan, a dispenser collector or simply nostalgic, you'll find what you're looking for. Want more candy? Take a look at the many candies in the shop!