Needhams
Maine Needham Company
One of Maine’s most popular candies is named after a preacher who, according to his New York Times obituary in 1902, was nearly eaten by cannibals. The chocolate-covered coconut creams known as needhams were created by candymaker John Seavey of Auburn around 1872 when he added a “secret” ingredient plentiful in the state: potatoes (see Maine potato).
In taste tests, the candy was a hit, the potato adding creaminess but no noticeable flavor. As the story goes, Seavey decided to name the dense, square-shaped candies after George Needham, a popular evangelist preacher of the day.
Made with coconut, sugar, butter, dark or milk chocolate, and mashed potatoes, the original Seavey Needham line is no longer in production, but they are today made by several modern confectioners and by Mainers in their home kitchens.
