Did you ever wonder how America's favorite holiday treat - the candy cane - came to be? The history of the candy cane goes all the way back to the year 1400. Spangler® Candy is glad to be an integral part of a long-standing tradition, especially one that dates back to the year 1400!
French priests in the early 1400s invented a candy stick. The candy was solid white and did not have the modern candy cane shape, yet. The stick was used to balance and support Christmas tree branches at a time when food was the standard way to decorate a tree. Sugar was also very expensive in the 1400s, so those who decorated their trees with sugary items were considered wealthy.
It wasn't until 1670 when priests in Germany created the modern shape of the candy cane we know and love today. The intention of the priests in Germany was to create a candy that looked like a shepherds hook. A hooked ornament was easier to hang on a traditional Christmas tree and a tasty treat for children who were well-behaved during the holiday services.
To solidify the candy cane's role as a holiday treat, the red stripe was added in the early 1900s. The white and red stripes were twisted together, making the assembly very labor intensive. Interestingly, the white portion of the candy cane is the only part that has the peppermint flavor, the red is added for decoration purposes only.
A holiday was even created to celebrate the candy we know and love! December 26 is known in the U.S. as National Candy Cane Day, proving that taking down tree ornaments doesn't have to be sad since eating the ornaments the day after Christmas can be a tasty tradition! The day is meant to appreciate the history of candy canes, one of America's favorite holiday treat and, of course, to eat Spangler® Candy Canes.
Candy canes have certainly come a long way since 1400. Today, over 600 years later, different colors, flavors, shapes andbranded candy canes are available. But, many Americans still use the traditional candy cane to decorate their holiday trees. Although candy canes started as something associated with churches and religion, today people of all religions and all ages enjoy them!
Have extra Spangler® candy canes at home? Learn ways to create food and drinks with our candy cane recipes and candy cane crafts.
About Spangler Candy Company
In business since 1906, Spangler Candy's line of quality confections includes Spangler® Candy Canes, Dum Dum Pops®, Saf-T-Pops®, Circus Peanuts and Marshmallow Treats and Valentine, Easter, Halloween & Christmas candies.
For information, contact Spangler® Candy Company (1-888-636-4221 or email@example.com), or visit our website:www.spanglercandy.com.