My Hero Zero

Every summer when we pack up the kids and head to North Carolina from the Chicago 'burbs, my heart skips a beat. Is it the lush mountains that await? The soothing ocean waves? Well, sure. But long before we reach those picture-perfect spots, I'll be doing something almost as exciting: stocking up on Zero candy bars, tricky to find in the Windy City but ubiquitous in gas stations from southern Indiana on down.

The Zero bar--sometimes unfairly called the "albino Snickers"--features a thin sheet of caramel atop a thick layer of peanut and almond nougat, covered in "white fudge." Honestly, I can't tell you what white fudge is, except that its straight-up sweet and a nice contrast to the bar's nutty, chewy (but not TOO chewy) insides. The nougat is much darker and richer than you get with, say a Three Musketeers.

This isn't the only nutty candy bar I enjoy. Payday evokes strong childhood memories, just like the Zero bar; boasts an appealing sweet-salty contrast; and is actually nicely filling. Leftover Halloween Snickers are a dangerous thing for me. Almond Joy is delish. And sometimes nothing will do but a classic Hershey's with almonds.

But for some reason, I've harbored an unnatural attachment to Zero bars since around age 8. I can't even remember when and where I had my first one, but I've been chasing them ever since.

The Zero bar was launched in 1920 as "Double Zero" by the Hollywood candy company, which changed hands several times before being purchased by Hershey's in 1996. According to the Hershey's website, the name may have come from how the bar was originally marketed: a treat "as cool as zero degrees."

Hershey's adds that some fans still like it frozen, and you can count me among them! This approach is not for the faint of teeth, though. Zeros really firm up in the freezer, and you can't easily crack 'em like a frozen Charleston Chew.

I never really got into Smashing Pumpkins, despite the hometown-pride factor (go Chicago!). But I always secretly wondered if Billy Corgan's trademark "Zero" shirt was a nod to my fave candy bar.

Does anyone remember Schoolhouse Rock on Saturday a.m. TV? "My Hero Zero" is one of many fun math bits on this awesome DVD collection. A staple when my kids were younger!

The old Hollywood Candy Company, ultimately acquired by Hershey's in 1996, produced the Milkshake, 747, and Payday bars, along with Zero. All are gone now except Payday and Zero.

What do you say? Have I whetted your appetite for the elusive Zero bar? Or do you have fierce candy loyalties elsewhere? Snack on!