pez

PEZ is a brand of candy and the distinctive plastic dispenser system that originated in Austria in 1927. The candy was created by Eduard Haas III as a peppermint breath mint intended for adults trying to quit smoking; the name PEZ is derived from PfeffErminZ, the German for peppermint.

In the late 1940s and early 1950s the company began producing the peppermint lozenges in a small plastic dispenser designed to hold a column of candies and pop one out when the top is pressed. In the 1950s and onward, decorative character heads and other designs were added to the dispensers, and the concept gained popularity in the United States.

Today, PEZ candies are sugar-based mints or fruit-flavored sweets available in a wide range of flavors and colors. The dispensers, typically plastic with a twist-down mechanism, come in countless designs—from simple blocks to highly elaborate figure heads representing cartoons, films, or brands. The combination of candy and collectible dispenser has made PEZ dispensers a long-running hobby, with extensive catalogs and exhibitions.

PEZ remains a global brand, and its products are distributed widely through international markets. The dispensers have also served as promotional items and as cultural artifacts, reflecting changes in popular culture over several decades.