The Sweet History of Candy Canes

When you think of the holiday season, a few classic symbols probably come to mind: decorated trees, sparkling lights, and the red-and-white striped candy cane. But have you ever wondered how this tasty treat became a part of Christmas? The history of candy canes is full of fun stories, traditions, and a lot of sweetness. Let’s take a closer look at how this holiday favorite came to be!

The Beginning: From Simple Sugar Sticks to Curved Canes

The story of the candy cane starts in Europe, but not in the form we know today. Back in the 1600s, people made plain white sugar sticks called "sugar rods." These sweet sticks were popular during celebrations, especially at Christmas.

According to one legend, around 1670, a choirmaster at a church in Germany decided to bend these sugar sticks into the shape of a shepherd’s staff. He wanted to give children a treat to keep them quiet during long Christmas services. The hook shape was meant to remind people of the shepherds who visited baby Jesus. We’re not sure if this story is true, but it’s a fun way to explain the shape of candy canes!

Candy Canes Come to America

By the 1800s, these sugar sticks made their way to America with European immigrants. At first, they were still plain white, but the hook shape was becoming more popular.

The first recorded mention of "candy canes" in the U.S. was in 1847. A German immigrant named August Imgard decorated his Christmas tree in Ohio with these hooked candies. They were still simple, but the idea of hanging them on trees began to catch on.

The Stripes and Peppermint Flavor Appear

Candy canes didn’t get their red stripes and peppermint flavor until the early 1900s. No one knows exactly who added the stripes, but they likely made the candy canes look more festive and fun.

In the 1920s, a man named Bob McCormack from Georgia started making candy canes for his friends and family. Then in 1950, his brother-in-law, Gregory Keller, invented a machine that could bend the candy canes automatically. This made it much easier to produce candy canes in large quantities, helping them become a popular Christmas treat.

What Do Candy Canes Symbolize?

Some people believe that candy canes have special meanings. The white color is said to stand for purity, while the red stripes can symbolize the blood of Jesus. The peppermint flavor might be linked to hyssop, a plant mentioned in the Bible that represents purity. The hook shape can remind people of a shepherd’s staff or even the letter "J" for Jesus.

Fun Facts About Candy Canes

• National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on December 26th in the United States. It’s a great time to enjoy more candy canes after Christmas!

• The largest candy cane ever made was over 51 feet long! It was created in 2012 by Chef Alain Roby in Illinois.

• More than 1.7 billion candy canes are produced every year, with most of them being sold during the holiday season.

Candy Canes Today

Today, candy canes come in all kinds of colors and flavors. You can find them in rainbow colors and flavors like blueberry, watermelon, or bubblegum. But no matter how they change, the classic red-and-white peppermint candy cane is still a holiday favorite.

The next time you hang a candy cane on your tree or enjoy its minty crunch, remember that you’re taking part in a tradition that has lasted for centuries and spread all over the world!