New England Has a Sweet Tooth

New England’s love affair with sweets began in the 1700s when a chocolate mill opened just outside Boston. Since then, the region has been home to an extraordinary array of baked, fried, dipped, sugared, and frozen treats. New England Has a Sweet Tooth unwraps the stories behind New England’s sugary legacy from Necco Wafers to Fluffernutters. Host Susan Mara Bregman is the author of New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons, and Whoopie Pies.

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Latest episodes

04 January 2026

Sky Bar - A Candy Box in a Bar

This episode introduces Sky Bar, the chocolate bar with four fillings that Necco launched in 1938. Louise Mawhinney, who rescued Sky Bar from the Necco bankruptcy auction, shares stories about the history of this iconic candy and her journey from tech executive to chocolatier.

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16:26

02 December 2025

Needhams -- Maine's Beloved Potato-Coconut Candy

Leave it to Mainers to add potatoes to their candies. This episode explores the history and lore behind Maine Needhams, a chocolate-covered coconut-candy treat. Guests are Malaika and Gerard Picard, who own the Maine Needham Company.

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27:02

20 November 2025

Making Whoopies -- Unwrapping Maine's Favorite Treat

In this episode of 'New England Has a Sweet Tooth,' host Susan Mara Bregman explores the fascinating history of whoopie pies, the quintessential Maine treat. Joined by Patrick Myers, who oversees Maine's annual Whoopie Pie Festival, they delve into the origins of this sweet treat. The discussion touches upon Maine's Whoopie Pie Festival and the importance of the whoopie pie in Maine's culture.

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17:53

19 November 2025

New England Sweet Tooth Intro

Introducing New England Has a Sweet Tooth -- a podcast that explores the region's extraordinary assortment of baked, fried, dipped, sugared, and frozen confections.

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01:03