Nestlé Canada is marking Canada’s 150th by proclaiming Coffee Crisp, one of the country’s most iconic treats, “a local Canadian gem.” Prepared in Canada, the Coffee Crisp wafer bar is a Canadian original, and has been delighting Canadians since 1939 with its perfect balance of crispy wafer, creamy coffee flavour and enrobed in chocolate.
“As Canadians, we’re fiercely proud of the local treasures and icons we call our own and declaring Coffee Crisp ‘a Canadian gem’ is a fun and exciting way for Nestlé to celebrate Canada and Canadians’ love for this iconic treat,” said Christine McClean, Marketing Leader, Confectionery, Nestlé Canada.
Over 153 million Coffee Crisp bars are produced every year, with one of the peak times being Halloween. The bar is only produced in one factory in Canada – located in Toronto – and is made in a peanut free facility with natural flavours, and with 100 percent sustainable sourced cocoa certified by UTZ.
Coffee Crisp’s ancestry began in the United Kingdom in the 1930s as a chocolate bar named Rowntree's Wafer Crisp. The bar was later introduced to Canadians as Biscrisp. In 1938, a coffee variation was added to the line of flavoured Biscrisps and eventually became known as Coffee Crisp. By 1948 Coffee Crisp was one of Canada’s most popular confectionery products, a position it has maintained throughout the years.
Added McClean: “The story of Coffee Crisp in Canada mirrors so many of us. It originated abroad and made its way to Canada – evolving with the country and reflecting our unique tastes and preferences.”
Learn More About Some of Canada’s Favourite Treats:
Confectionery
Kit Kat – the #1 brand in Canada, Smarties, Aero, and Coffee Crisp are produced in Toronto and made with 100% UTZ certified Nestlé Cocoa Plan cocoa.
Smarties is one of Nestlé Canada’s oldest brands. Originally introduced in 1937, Rowntree made a candy called “Chocolate Niblet Beans” that were re-branded in 1937 as Smarties. These became available in Canada in 1939 and the Canadian factory began production of Smarties during the 1940s.
- Smarties has been made with no artificial colours since 2009 and with natural flavours since 2011
- In 2015, Nestlé Canada launched innovative Canadian-developed packaging which includes portioned guidance indicators to meet the shifting consumer landscape
- The treat has been a Canadian-favourite for over 77 years
- 3.52 billion Smarties are produced at the Toronto factory every year
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
In London, Ontario, Nestlé produces Nestlé Real Dairy, Nestlé Parlour, Häagen-Dazs, and Nestlé Drumstick.
- DRUMSTICK is the number 1 cone brand in Canada
- In Canada, over 54 million cones are made each year – almost two for every person in Canada
- If all the cones made in one year were laid out in a line, they would span Canada coast to coast 1.5 times
- All of our ice cream products are made with 100% Canadian milk. In 2016, Nestlé in Canada purchased dairy products totaling over $38 million from Canadian dairy farmers
Nestle in Canada
Nestlé’s presence in Canada dates back to the early years of Confederation.
- Nestlé planted roots in Canada in 1887 and began producing quality products for Canadians in the early 1900s through the purchase of a small milk factory in Chesterville, Ontario
- Nestlé Canada proudly employs more than 3,500 Canadians who work in 20+ facilities across the country
- The London Ice Cream factory alone employs over five hundred employees who produce Canada’s favourite ice cream and frozen dessert brands, including Häagen-Dazs, Drumsticks and Real Dairy
- 95 percent of Canadian households contain a Nestlé product; everything from chocolate and confectionery, to coffee and beverages, to ice cream and frozen desserts, and pet care products
For delicious Canada 150 recipe ideas, please visit: www.madewithnestle.ca/happy-canada-day
Media Contact:
Nestlé Media Line (416) 218-2688 or [email protected]