Candy sticks, also known as candy canes, are a popular treat around the holidays. But what exactly are candy canes and how did they become associated with Christmas?
The History of Candy Canes
There are differing accounts of the origins of the candy cane. However, most agree that candy canes first appeared in the 17th century, likely in Germany. It is believed that the white candy sticks were invented by choirmasters who were looking for a sweet treat to keep children quiet during long living nativity ceremony reenactments. The canes were made straight initially, but legend has it that a choirmaster in Cologne, Germany bent the sticks into cane shapes to represent a shepherd’s staff. The red stripes were also meant to represent Christ’s blood and the Church.
The candy cane gained popularity in Europe and eventually made its way over to America in the 1800s. At this time, they were still pure white. It is unclear exactly when the stripes were added, but it seems to have become common practice by the early 1900s. Around this time, candy cane making started to become mechanized and they could be produced in mass quantities.
There are a few different theories as to why candy canes are associated with Christmas:
- The red stripes are reminiscent of St. Nicholas’ bishop robes
- They were thought to represent the shepherds’ crooks present at the nativity scene
- The peppermint flavors and colors (red, white) just evoke feelings of the Christmas season for many people
By the mid 20th century, candy canes had become one of the most popular Christmas treats and holiday decorations.
How Candy Canes Are Made
Today, candy canes are still produced using largely the same process as when they were first invented. Here are the basic steps for how candy canes are made:
- Sugar, corn syrup, and water are mixed together and heated to create a liquid base.
- Flavors and colors are added to the hot liquid. Peppermint oil is a popular choice which gives candy canes their distinctive taste.
- The liquid gets poured into long tray molds and left to cool and harden.
- Once hardened, the candy sticks are extracted from the molds and the ends are cut and shaped.
- The sticks are set aside to complete the hardening process.
- Next, each stick is twisted and bent into the distinctive curved cane shape.
- Finally, stripes are added by brushing the sticks with red food coloring.
- The finished candy canes are packaged and shipped out for selling.
Modern candy companies have industrial machines to complete most of these steps, which allows them to produce candy canes in mass quantities. But it is still a labor intensive process requiring precision and skill.
Fun Facts About Candy Canes
Here are some interesting facts about candy canes that you may not know:
- Over 1.76 billion candy canes are produced each year.
- The largest candy cane ever created was over 58 feet tall and weighed over 1,200 pounds.
- Contrary to popular belief, candy canes are not just a Christmas treat. Over 20 million candy canes are produced daily, year-round.
- The curvy shape of the candy cane makes it one of the only confections that requires being produced by hand. Machines still assist, but shaping requires a human touch.
- The very earliest candy canes were entirely white and completely straight.
- Candy cane flavored products have expanded way beyond just peppermint. You can find them today in flavors like cherry, orange, grape, cinnamon, and more.
- In 1919, Bob McCormack started selling candy canes commercially and is considered the “father” of candy canes in America.
- Urban legend says that candy canes were once used as secret ways for persecuted Christians to identify each other. The legend claims the candy shape was chosen to represent Jesus and the stripe colors were religious symbols.
Common Candy Cane Flavors
While peppermint remains the most popular candy cane flavor by far, there are actually many flavor varieties found today. Here are some of the most common candy cane flavors:
| Flavor | Description |
|---|---|
| Peppermint | The classic candy cane flavor, providing a cooling and refreshing minty taste. Peppermint oil is used to create the distinctive flavor. |
| Wintergreen | Similar to peppermint, though some people detect a more herbal flavor note. Provides a cooling effect. |
| Spearmint | A milder mint flavor without the cooling sensations of peppermint. |
| Cinnamon | A popular flavor choice for a warmer, spicier twist on candy canes. |
| Strawberry | A sweet candy cane flavor that replicates the bright, juicy notes of fresh strawberries. |
| Grape | Candy canes made with mild Concord grape flavoring. |
| Orange | A citrusy candy cane that provides a fresh burst of orange flavor. |
| Cherry | A taste of classic cherry candy in candy cane form. |
Specialty stores may offer even more unique or limited edition candy cane flavors like lemon, watermelon, pumpkin spice, and more.
Candy Cane Shapes and Sizes
The traditional candy cane shape is the distinctive curved cane with a hook. However, today you can find candy canes in many shapes and sizes, including:
- Standard size – 5 to 6 inches long. The most common size.
- Jumbo size – Around 12 inches long. A dramatic, festive decoration.
- Mini size – 2 to 3 inches long. Bite-sized for easily snacking.
- Twists – Two or three canes twisted together.
- Wreaths – Candy canes bent into circular wreath shapes.
- Hearts – For Valentine’s Day, canes are made into heart shapes.
- Stars – Star-shaped canes as festive decorations.
- Trees – Candy sticks stacked together into mini tree shapes.
- Sticks – Straight candy sticks with no crook.
The time-honored classic cane with a crook is still the most popular, but candy makers are continually coming up with new shapes and sizes to provide variety.
Jumbo Candy Canes
Jumbo candy canes are extra long candy canes, usually around a foot long. They are perfect for decorating, or breaking into pieces for sharing. Most jumbo candy canes are mint flavored, but sometimes other flavors like cherry or strawberry are available. These oversized canes can be hung on Christmas trees, used as table centerpieces, or propped inside holiday gift baskets to add festive flair.
Mini Candy Canes
Mini candy canes are petite sized canes that are only a couple inches long. Their small size makes them perfect for craft projects, baking into cookies or cakes, adding to gift bags or stockings, or just for easily snacking on. They come in an assortment of flavors and colors. You’ll find mini candy canes sold in bulk bags around Christmas time for just a couple dollars per bag.
How To Use Candy Canes
Beyond just eating them straight out of the package, there are many fun ways to incorporate candy canes into treats, crafts, and decor:
- Hang them on the Christmas tree or use to decorate wreaths.
- Crush them and use the pieces as peppermint topping on cupcakes or milkshakes.
- Make candy cane reindeer by attaching them to brownie bites.
- Melt them into peppermint bark by breaking candies into pieces and drizzling over chocolate.
- Stir crushed candy canes into holiday cookie dough or gingerbread batter.
- Dip the crooked ends into melted chocolate or yogurt for a sweet coating.
- Thread mini candy canes onto pipe cleaners to create candy jewelry.
- Freeze candy canes to turn them into flavored stirring sticks for hot cocoa.
Candy canes aren’t just for eating – their iconic shape makes them perfect for integrating into all kinds of edible crafts and decorations.
Candy Cane Alternatives
For those who don’t enjoy peppermint or are simply looking for something new, there are several tasty alternatives to classic candy canes to satisfy your sweet tooth:
Jelly Beans
Jelly beans offer tons of flavor variety beyond mint, including fruity flavors like cherry, orange, lemon, and more. You can find jelly beans shaped into miniature canes around Christmas.
Cinnamon Bears
These chewy hot cinnamon flavored gummy bears are a spicy and satisfying alternative to minty candy canes. Opt for the red and white colored bears for the visual look of candy canes.
Striped Peppermints
For a milder mint flavor, look for softer striped peppermint candies that can be straight or curved like canes. Great for those who don’t like the intense crisp bite of candy canes.
Candy Sticks
For non-mint options, shop for fruit flavored sticks without the curve. You can find sticks in flavors like strawberry, grape, orange, and cherry.
Holiday Hard Candies
Mix and match straight candy sticks, rods, and tubes in an assortment of holiday flavors like gingerbread, sugar cookie, and eggnog for variety.
The next time you want that iconic taste of the holidays but aren’t in the mood for peppermint, give one of these festive candy cane alternatives a try.
Conclusion
With their distinctive shape and refreshing minty flavor, candy canes have become an iconic treat and decoration associated with the Christmas season. But as we’ve explored, they have a long and storied history dating back centuries, and still require an intricate handmade process to create. Candy cane confectioners have expanded the classic cane in endless ways with new shapes, flavors, colors and sizes. Though peppermint remains the timeless favorite, candy lovers today have many alternative cane flavors to choose from. Beyond just eating, candy canes’ versatility makes them perfect for incorporating into holiday crafts, desserts, and gifts. So next time you see those familiar red and white stripes, remember there’s much more to discover behind the treat than initially meets the eye.