National Hard Candy Day
National Hard Candy Day, a favorite of young and old alike, recognizes the sweet tooth in all of us.
The majority of hard candies are sugar free with flavoring and colors added. Confectioners boil a sugar syrup to 320 degrees Fahrenheit in order to make a hard candy. Once the temperature is reached, the hot, pliable sugar is poured into molds, rolled and folded into shapes and left to cool. Solid sugar becomes hardened and brittle once cool, and brittle.
The first hard candies, such as lemon drops and peppermints, were likely to be used as a stomach remedy.
As sugar prices dropped, hard candy became a hit in the seventeenth century. Hard candy was something that only the wealthy could afford back in the days. Over 400 firms were manufacturing this popular snack by the mid-1800s.
Jolly Rancher's Original became the best-selling hard candy in 2015, beating Werther's Original as the best-selling hard candy. Dum Pops, Life Savers, Tootsie Roll Pops, and Charms Blow Pop are among the many popular hard candies.
How to celebrate #hardcandyday on a #hardcandyday
Enjoy your new hard candy. Be sure to pick some up to top those shelves as well as those that are on sale for some to try. National Hard Candy Day is also a good time to learn the history behind your favorite hard candy bars. You can find out more about many of the candy makers from bygone days or who are still making our favorites. These colorful candies are also made in this series. Watch videos showing you how these colorful candies are made. You'll be amazed at how innovative each candy manufacturer had to be to invent their own unique process.
To post on social media, use the hashtag #NationalHardCandyDay.
Candy FAQ
Who holds the record for the largest lollipop? Q. Who has the most lollipop?
A. See's Candies Lollypop Factory made the biggest lollipop on July 12, 2012. It was 4 feet 8.75 inches long, 3 feet 6 inches wide, and 5 feet 11 inches high without the stick. The stick was only 11 foot 10 inches tall.
Q. Who holds the record for the world's biggest candy cane? In Lansing, Michigan, A. Fabiano's Chocolates and Ice Cream set the record on December 5, 1998. The candy cane was 36 feet 7 inches long and 4 inches in diameter.
Q. What is the most common flavor of hard candy?
A. Cherry is the most popular flavor whether you're talking about candy canes, Life Savers, or some other hard candy.
