National Candy Day – November 4, 2022, history, significance
We hope your sweet tooth is ready, because November 4 is National Candy Day. These sweet and sour treats have been our favorite snack since childhood. Whether they’re hard, chewy, fruit flavored, or a “melt in your mouth not in your hand” sort of treat, candy has been a consistent source of happiness and, as we get older, nostalgia.
History of National Candy Day
In the early 13th century the English borrowed a word from the French who in turn adopted it from the Arabic word “Qandi” meaning “to be made from sugar.” Honey has been a favorite since ancient times.
The Egyptians, Arabs, and the Chinese used it to make candied fruits that continue to be popular today, including candied ginger and honeyed dates. This also helped with the preservation and ability to store fruits as they traveled.
After the Spaniards discovered cocoa, which had been used in South America as an unsweetened drink by the Aztec and Mayans since the late 15th century they began importing it to Europe, where it quickly became popular. While it took until 1847 for the first chocolate bar to be made, chocolate is now one of the world’s favorite candies.
Hard candies became popular until the early nineteenth century, lemon drops and peppermints were favorites. When the candy business took off in the early nineteenth century with the excitement spread like wildfire, candy shops started popping up throughout Europe and the Americas,
and the shipping of sugar and cocoa was a big industry during this time. Candy shops and industries sprang up around the idea of making new and better candy. The competition for finding new ways to make the best candy continues still, with companies fiercely guarding their confectionary secrets.
NATIONAL CANDY DAY TIMELINE
1817
Butterscotch
In a town in Yorkshire, England, Samuel Parkinson began making butterscotch as a hard candy.
1883
Saltwater taffy
David Bradley’s candy store in New Jersey flooded due to a major storm, resulting in him calling his taffy “saltwater taffy.”
1941
M&M’s
M&M’s were invented by Forrest Mars, who got the idea from soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard shell during the Spanish Civil War.
1960
Starburst
Starburst candies were invented in the UK by Peter Phillips.
CANDY BY THE NUMBERS
65% — the percentage of the total candy produced that is consumed by Americans over the age of 18.
65% — the percentage of U.S. candy brands introduced more than 50 years ago.
36 million — the number of heart-shaped boxes of chocolate that are sold on Valentine’s Day.
1800s — the period when physicians commonly prescribed chocolate to patients with broken hearts.
1875 — the year when Daniel Peter and Henri Nestle created milk chocolate.
2.8 billion pounds — the amount of chocolate consumed in the United States each year.
22 pounds — the average amount of candy consumed each year by Americans.
2 ounces — the amount of milk chocolate that is poisonous for a 10-lb puppy.
$7 billion — the amount spent on chocolate every year.
25 pounds — the amount of candy eaten per person per year in the United States.
2 — the number of Ms on M&Ms that stand for Mars and Murrie.
NATIONAL CANDY DAY ACTIVITIES
Buy candy for a friend
Give sweets to be sweet! Nothing says “Have a great day” better than a box of colorful candy.
Make your own
How about making your own candy for a change? Candy is made by boiling sugar in water or milk until it starts to caramelize. Find a recipe that strikes your interest and make it at home!
Try something new
We all have our go-to candies, but next time you’re at the shop, try the candy you always look at but never actually pick up. It might be a new favorite.
5 DANDY FACTS ABOUT CANDY!
Cotton candy’s original name
Fairy floss was the original name of the cotton candy.
Snickers was a horse
The Snickers candy bar was named after Frank Mars’ family horse.
Chocolate’s comforting properties
The ancient Aztecs believed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac.
Candy is healthy
Some candies such as gummy bears, lollipops, and sour balls are cholesterol-free, making them a healthy treat.
The Swiss love their chocolate
The Swiss consume more chocolate than any other country in the world.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL CANDY DAY
It’s delicious
If you’ve never had a king-sized Kit Kat bar or pack of Sour Patch Kids, then you haven’t lived. Candy is great. End of story.
Childhood nostalgia
From crushing piñatas at birthday parties, to passing out Hershey’s Kisses for Valentine’s day, candy was a big part of our childhoods. No matter how much we grow, candy will always bring back those special memories.
It’s improves your mood
Happy? Sad? It doesn’t matter! Candy is used by many people as a way to boost happiness. It has a natural knack for lifting our moods.
