Nerds are tiny, irregularly shaped, crunchy candies characterized by a tangy-sweet flavor profile and a hard, glossy exterior. Originally launched in 1983 by the Willy Wonka Candy Company (now owned by Ferrera Candy Company, a subsidiary of Ferrero), they are made by coating sucrose crystals with successive layers of sugar, corn syrup, malic acid, and artificial flavors, finished with a carnauba wax glaze.