The surprising Toronto origins of Canada’s beloved Coffee Crisp

Canada is known for a lot of sweet treats. We’re talking maple syrup, Beaver Tails, poutine and even Coffee Crisp. Yes, the delicious, crispy wafer chocolate combination is a Canadian staple, but it has deeper roots in Toronto.

One of the country’s most beloved and iconic treats is a Canadian original since 1939, according to Nestlé Canada.

For years, Canadians have enjoyed the sweet taste of the coffee-flavoured, chocolate-wafer combination that is unique to the country.

But its ancestry dates back years, having originated in the U.K. in the 1930s.

History tastes so sweet

It was first known as a chocolate bar named Rowntree’s Wafer Crisp.

It was later introduced to Canadians as Biscrisp. “In 1938, a coffee variation was added to the line of flavoured Biscrisps and eventually became known as Coffee Crisp,” shared Nestlé Canada in an email to Curiocity.

“By 1948 Coffee Crisp was one of Canada’s most popular confectionery products, a position it has maintained throughout the years.”

More than 153 million of these bars are produced in Canada every year, and Halloween happens to be one of its peak times. Coffee Crisps have only been made in one factory across the country, and that’s right in Toronto at 72 Sterling Rd.

Throughout the years, there have been limited-edition releases like the fruit-flavoured Coffee Crisp bars in Orange and Raspberry back in 2001, and most recently its Coffee Shop-inspired flavours like Carmel Iced Cappuccino, Vanilla Iced Cappuccino, and Pumpkin Spiced Latte.

That’s not to mention the other variations released like Coffee Crisp Thins and Stix, Coffee Crisp Pops, and bite-sized Coffee Crisp.

The wafered chocolate, along with other chocolate favourites like Kit Kat, Aero, and Smarties, is produced in Toronto, too.

Who knew supporting Canadian brands tasted so good?

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