Self-proclaimed candy freak Steve Almond fondly remembers the day he discovered he could buy candy by the pound. He turned to candy as a boy for solace and comfort instead of to his harried family. And he never turned back. When relationships soured or writing projects stalled, sugary confections helped him through. He has trouble letting go of brands of yore, like the domed chocolate and peanut butter Oompahs and the Caravelle, the chocolate bar that inspired his new book “Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America.” He has crisscrossed America visiting small-town candy factories, relishing the sweets that never make it to the shelves of Wal-Mart and Stop & Shop. Tonight, On Point: a tour of America sweetest spots.

Guests:

Steve Almond, his new book is “Candyfreak: A Journey through the Chocolate Underbelly of America.” He teaches creative writing at Boston College and is also the author of “My Life in Heavy Metal.”