Children of the Candy Corn
Oct 27th, 2009 by Ealeal
One of the tell-tale signs of Halloween season is the traditional candy corn which seems to populate every candy aisle in every store. A self-confessed candy corn addict, none was more thrilled than I to discover this video from the Food Network, detailing the labor of love with which this colorful treat is made. Like many others, I too had no idea how this addictive candy was originally created, or what its ingredients actually are, until viewing this gem.
The Food Network goes behind this triangle-shaped wonder, and gives you the low-down on how candy corn was originally created by the Goelitz Brothers Candy Company, and gives you a behind-the-scenes look at how candy corn is made, along with Bill Kelley, President of Goelitz and a fourth-generation candymaker.
Did You Know? Top 5 Candy Corn Trivia Tidbits:
1. Thank goodness for mass production: In 1900, the Goelitz Brothers Candy Company, later known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company (yes, the same awesome folks are responsible for Jelly Belly, too!), started mass-producing the candy. However, due to the relatively primitive machinery of those days, it was only available seasonally from March to November. Its recipe has remained unchanged throughout the years.
2. Sweeter than you think: A cup of candy corn actually contains fewer calories than a cup of raisins. If that’s not good enough to soothe away post-Halloween sugar-induced guilt, I don’t know what is.
3. Layered, not stirred: Candy corn is actually made by using molded layers, with orange as the first layer, yellow as the second layer and white as the third. Next time you wish to eat your candy according to hierarchy, keep this fun fact in mind.
4. Corn-colored holiday: Candy corn was even rewarded with a holiday of its own, with October 30th marking National Candy Corn Day.
5. The secret ingredient: Part of what helps candy corn retain its unique texture and mouth-watering taste? Marshmallows. We swear!
Happy Halloween,
The 5min Team
