The candy is, undoubtedly, one of the most loved food items all over the world. It is referred to as “chocolate” in common parlance and is consumed, in one form or the other, by young and old alike. The word “candy” is in popular usage in the US while the term “sweets” is used mostly in the U.K. What is the origin of this ubiquitous candy and who were the first to create it?

An assortment of candies

Brief history:

Though, it may sound a bit surprising, it was the caveman who first created the basic candy. He took honey from the beehives and dried them to make candy. The early candies were basically fruits and nuts rolled in honey. From then on, it has passed from generation to generation; the candy has undergone many developments and new flavors have been introduced. Today, candy-making has become a much-wanted skill as candies are dominating the world market proving themselves as one in the top five consumer food- items. 

The first modern candy, made from sugar, was in 1854 when the first box of Whitman’s Chocolates was invented. From then on, a spate of candies came including Cadbury Chocolates, Tootsie Roll and candy corn.

In the 1900s more candies like lollipops, jellies and milk chocolates came into the market. The Chewing gum and Bubble gum which were invented at this time are also type of candies made out of a gum base to which sweeteners are added.  The Snicker Munch Bar, one of the popular candies made from peanuts and butter, made its appearance in the year 1970.   

Composition:

Candies are mostly made from sugar and gelatin which is boiled in water to a very high temperature and then cooled. Many candies have additionally caramel, corn syrup, nuts, butter, desired colors and flavors. Some candies, like the Milky Bar, is made of white chocolate and has milk solids to give the taste of fresh milk.  Still some others, like licorice, contain certain chemicals like ammonium chloride to give the desired color. Corn syrup is added in many candies, mostly in the hard varieties, to control the tendency of the sugar to crystallize. Likewise, Citric acid is sometimes used to give a fruity flavor to fruit candies and egg white is found in marshmallow candies. The gum base in Bubble gums and Chewing gums is usually a mixture of starches and certain polymers.

Basic process:

The sugar is first dissolved in water or milk and is then boiled to about 150-170 degrees centigrade till most of the water evaporates. The other ingredients are added slowly during the boiling process as per the type of candy being prepared. Candies can be classified as HARD or SOFT depending on the extent to which the syrup is boiled. The best example of hard candies is lollipops while marshmallows, milky bars and candyfloss are few of the soft candies.

Related terminology: Confectioneries and Caramel:

Confectioneries are mainly those candies which are rich in sugar, usually the term meaning certain soft candies.  However, there is not much of a difference as both the terms are generally used interchangeably.

Caramel, made by slowly heating any of the variety of sugars is a constituent of many soft candies. It is recognized by its dark tan color and serves as a popular topping for cakes and ice creams. A variety of candies like caramel apples and caramel candies are also made from caramel and its products. A well-known caramel candy from time immemorial has been the Caramel Eclairs.

Types and brands:

Today, there are almost a hundred varieties of candies savored all over the world. They come in different shapes, sizes and colors. Some of the most popular candies include:  Almond Joy, lollipop, milky bar, Snickers, candy cake, licorice, Butterfingers Candy bar, Chicklets, Chuckles, Peppermint,  Kit-Kat, Nestle Crunch, Apple candy, Candy corn, jelly gems, Wrigley’s gum, Spearmint chewing gum marshmallows, candyfloss, Crackles etc.

• Written by Sridevi.
• In category Food.
• 14 years ago.

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