Behind the Scenes at Historic See’s Candy Factory

Michele StuevenFood

Rum nougat begins its journey in the See's factoryRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factoryRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factoryRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factoryRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stueventhe most important ingredient at See’s Candies: It uses more than 12 million pounds each year.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat quality controlRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat quality controlRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat quality controlRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat quality controlRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat quality controlRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenCharles dreamed of moving to sunny California to start his own candy company and started by selling his mother Mary's homemade treatsRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenCharles dreamed of moving to sunny California to start his own candy company and started by selling his mother Mary's homemade treatsRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stuevenalong the route of the Rose Parade.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenStretching the butter chew for bridge mix. In the late 1920sRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stuevenbutter and caramel pieces. See's came up with the idea of delivering melted Guittard chocolate in tanker trucksRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stuevenit's already melted and ready to go.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenEach yearRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stuevensuch as these chocolate-covered caramels.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenChecking chocolate perfection for bridge mix; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenNever too much sugar; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenPreparing elements of bridge mix; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenAt the 1939 World's Fair in San FranciscoRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stuevensuch as this one working on bridge mix.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenAerating and cooling of the bridge mix. See's produces 26 million pounds of candy each year between candy kitchens in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.; Credit: Michele StuevenRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenMade by hand in AmericaRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stuevenbridge mix includes milk chocolate almondsRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele StuevenbutterscotchRum nougat begins its journey in the See's factory, traveling the length of a football field to its final packaging destination.; Credit: Michele Stueven

The See’s Candy factory in Baldwin Hills broke ground in 1949 and still uses some machines that were built in 1921, the year Charles See opened his first candy shop at 135 Western Ave. 

Located in the shadow of the Expo Line La Cienega station, See's has a long line of employees who have worked there for 40 years and longer.

Join L.A. Weekly for a behind-the-scenes look at how peanut brittle, bridge mix, Scotch kisses, butter chews, molasses chips and rum nougat are created, and read more about it here.

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