Written By Sam Henselijn
Candy Corn Explained. Halloween is arguably one of the most fun holidays of the year! From themed activities and over-the-top costumes to the mega candy extravaganza, the month of October just has it all. But one thing in particular deserves an honorable mention. After all, what would Halloween be without candy corn? Here is Halloween candy corn explained.
What is Candy Corn?
Every year on Halloween, little triangle-shaped candies in shades of yellow, orange and white fill trick-or-treat bags all over the country. America’s most iconic confection is a sweet replica of dried corn kernels. Candy corn is considered a “mellow cream”. That’s a
type of candy made from corn syrup and sugar that has a marshmallow-like flavor.
Candy Corn Explained
Candy corn was invented in the 1880s. Yes, they’ve been around for more than a century… At the time, the tri-colored invention was nothing short of revolutionary for the candy industry.
Today, candy corn is almost synonymous with Halloween. Nevertheless, the treat didn’t become associated with the holiday until after World War II.
The candy’s harvest colors and low price point made it a popular choice for trick-or-treating. After that, it quickly became associated with Halloween.
How is Candy Corn Made?
The recipe for candy corn hasn’t changed much since the late 1800s. What’s changed is the way it’s made. Back then, workers mixed sugar, water and corn syrup in large kettles. Afterwards, they added a sweet creamy icing called fondant and marshmallow for smoothness. The next step was pouring the mixture into kernel-shaped molds in cornstarch trays. This whole process was repeated three times, one for each color. Because the work was so time-consuming, candy corn was only available from August to November.
Today, machines do the work. Manufacturers use the “cornstarch molding process” to create the signature design. For this, trays of kernel-shaped holes are filled with cornstarch to hold the candy corn in shape. Then each hole gets partially filled with a sweet white syrup. Next comes the orange syrup, and finally, the yellow. The mold has to cool for about 24h before the trays can be emptied. Any excess cornstarch shakes loose in a big sifter. Finally, the candy corn gets a glaze to make it shiny, and it’s ready to be packaged.
Candy Corn Fun Facts
Although candy corn tastes rich, it’s actually a fat-free confection. Yep, that’s right. Candy corn has zero grams of fat.
Candy corn was first marketed as “Chicken Feed.” It made sense, considering so much of America’s workforce were farmers at the time. Agriculture-themed products were popular back then…
People didn’t start calling it candy corn until the 1940s, when trick-or-treating took off after WWII.
According to the National Confectioners Association, candy companies produce nearly 35 million pounds of the corny candy every year. That’s about 9 billion individual pieces of candy.
Candy corn has its own date. A staple on Halloween, National Candy Corn Day is celebrated on October 30, just before it’s time to trick-or-treat.
Is there a right way to enjoy candy corn? A survey done by the National Confectioners Association found that 7% of Americans eat the thick yellow end first, whereas 29% enjoy nibbling at the skinny white tip. 65% prefer to just eat them all in one bite. Which do you prefer?
Caramel Candy Corn
Most people know the traditional candy corn with three stripes:
yellow, orange, and white at the top. That’s the classic Halloween candy corn. But there are many variations of this sweet treat… We think it’s even more delicious when paired with a rich caramel flavor.
Christmas Candy Corn
Our reindeer candy corn is a Christmas rendition of the classic! With shades of green, white and red, this festive looking candy will be a fun new addition to your holiday table. Despite the new look, it tastes exactly the same as the traditional candy corn we all know and love.
FAQ Candy Corn Explained
What is candy corn?
Candy corn is a small, triangular candy that mimics the appearance of dried corn kernels. It’s a type of “mellow cream” candy made from sugar, corn syrup, and other ingredients, offering a marshmallow-like flavor.
How did candy corn become associated with Halloween?
Originally invented in the 1880s, candy corn became linked with Halloween post-World War II. Its harvest colors and affordability made it a popular choice for trick-or-treating, solidifying its association with the holiday.
How is candy corn made?
The traditional method involves mixing sugar, water, corn syrup, fondant, and marshmallow to create a smooth mixture, which is then poured into kernel-shaped molds. Today, machines automate this process using the “cornstarch molding process” to achieve the candy’s signature tri-color design.
Sam Henselijn Author’s Biography – Meet L’Orenta Nuts CEO
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