First made1927
Made by thenEduard Haas III, Vienna, Austria
Made by nowPez, Inc. (Austria; US candy made in Orange, Connecticut)
StatusStill made
TypeHard and tangy candy
What it is
Small pressed sugar blocks that come out of a spring-loaded character dispenser.
The story
- 1927: first made by Eduard Haas III, Vienna, Austria.
Fun facts
- PEZ is short for PfeffErminZ, German for peppermint. It began as a mint for adults.
- Early dispensers looked like cigarette lighters and were pitched as an alternative to smoking.
- Character heads arrived in 1955; Pez reached the US in 1952.
Is Pez still made?
Yes. Pez is still made, by Pez, Inc. (Austria; US candy made in Orange, Connecticut). Look for it at candy shops that stock old-fashioned candy, or search for Pez on Amazon.
If you like Pez
- Boston Baked Beans (by 1924): Peanuts in a hard, brick-red candy shell, shaped and colored like baked beans.
- Red Hots (1930s): Tiny, hot cinnamon candies, a favorite for decorating cakes and cookies.
- Jolly Rancher (1949): Hard, glassy, intensely fruity candies.
- Smarties (1949): Rolls of small, chalky, tangy tablets in six pastel colors.
See every candy from the 1920s or all hard and tangy candy.
Frequently asked questions
When did Pez come out?
Pez was first made in 1927, by Eduard Haas III, Vienna, Austria.
Who makes Pez now?
Pez, Inc. (Austria; US candy made in Orange, Connecticut).
Is Pez discontinued?
No. Pez is still made by Pez, Inc. (Austria; US candy made in Orange, Connecticut).
Questions and memories from readers
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Sources
Checked October 22, 2026. Pez is a trademark of its owner; this page is not connected to the maker. How we check our facts.
