If you ask Buddy the Elf, candy canes are one of the four major food groups. And there's no denying they're an iconic holiday treat!
You might hang them from your Christmas tree, give them out as stocking stuffers, or use them to decorate a peppermint candy cane cake. But where did the tradition of candy canes come from? And what's the real history behind one of the world's most popular Christmas candies? Surprisingly, candy canes have a pretty fascinating story that dates back more than 350 years! Fun fact: Candy canes didn't always have those classic red and white stripes. (It's hard to imagine, but more on that later.)
Legend has it that it all started with a group of boisterous choirboys, so let's find out more about this peppermint treat. Read on for everything you need to know about the history of candy canes, including some sweet facts about why they're shaped like hooks and how they're made.
What Is the Origin Story of Candy Canes?
Candy canes have a long history that some people say started in Germany back in 1670 when a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral handed out sugar sticks to a group of youthful choirboys who had a hard time keeping quiet during the church services. Though these early candy canes weren't striped but rather all white sticks, the choirmaster did bend the candy into the shape of a shepherd's staff as a nod to the religious story told.
Others say that the hooked shape came about as a convenient way for people to hang the treats from trees. Either way, candy canes didn't gain those festive red and white stripes or even the peppermint flavor until the early 20th century.
Why Do Candy Canes Have Red and White Stripes?
The early days of candy cane making was an arduous process of twisting, pulling, and bending all by hand. But in the 1950s, the production of candy canes became automated which made things a whole lot easier. Red stripes and peppermint flavor were added as a result to appeal to a mass audience and the popularity of candy canes skyrocketed from there. According to the National Confectioners Association, 76 billion candy canes are now produced in the United States every year!
These days, you can find candy canes in various colors, sizes, and even flavors. They're not just a symbol of Christmastime, but they're also a delicious topping for peppermint bark or a festive addition to a cozy hot chocolate board.
But here's the real question that has everyone wondering: What's the right way to eat a candy cane? Do you start with the hooked top or the straight bottom? Let us know in the comments!
