10 Interesting Facts About Candy

Did you know there are hundreds of interesting facts about candy?

Have you ever wondered if there was a story behind your favorite candy? Many of us know that the more popular candy brands and bars have been around for a very long time. The question that I found myself asking is exactly how long have they been around? I also wondered if there were any interesting facts or stories that are associated with some of our favorite candy. In order to satisfy my curiosity, I decided to compile a list of 10 interesting facts about candy that I came across.

Interesting facts about candy

A dentist invented cotton candy

In 1897 a Dentist named William Morrison and John C. Wharton made a machine that spun sugar into super-thin strands. Before it was called cotton candy it was “Fairy Floss” and it was introduced at the Worlds Fair in 1904.

White Chocolate

This is not in fact chocolate at all! White Chocolate does not have any cocoa solids, so it is not really considered chocolate. It is made from cocoa butter, sugar, and milk.

The initials M&M are for the creators’ last names

Forrest Mars and Bruce Murrie introduced the candy in 1941. You normally see the candy in the popular varieties of milk chocolate and peanut year-round. But there are more than 20 different varieties. Some are only around for the holidays, or certain times of the year.

Life Savers were invented in the early 1900s as a “summer candy”.

In 1912 Clarence Cane developed the candy as an alternative to chocolate to sell in the summer. He came across a pill making machine in a pharmacy and thought that this could be a way to make hard round candies that would not melt in the summer months.

Tootsie Rolls

This little candy was first introduced in 1896 by Leo Hirshfield and was named after his daughter. The candy was included in soldiers’ rations in WWII because they didn’t melt and helped to boost morale.

More Tootsie Rolls

The little candy also played a role in the Korean War. At the time the code for mortar shells was “tootsie roll”. When some soldiers radioed for “tootsie rolls” they were sent a drop of the candy instead of the needed shells. But all was not lost, the candy boosted their spirits and they came in handy for fixing damaged equipment.

Willy Wonka Candy Company

The movie “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” was based on the book “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl, and released in the early 1970s. Quaker Oats financed the movie and wanted to promote their new line of chocolate bars. The movie was titled “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in efforts to promote the Wonka Bar. The candy company was later established and created many of the candies featured in the film.

The First Candy

Candy has been around for a very long time. In ancient times honey was used to make candy and had various nuts and spices in it. The spread of sugar to the West in the Middle Ages brought candy to Europe, but it was only available to the upper classes because of the cost. It was not until about 1830 that candy became available to the middle and lower classes.

Kit Kats

Here in the U.S., there are only a few types of Kit Kat bars, but they are even more popular in other countries. In Japan, the candy’s popularity has caused many more flavors of the bar to be created. There are over 50 varieties, including one made from ruby chocolate, which is very rare.

Candy Canes

In the late 1600s, Churches began to use candy canes as a way to keep children quiet during certain services. The practice began in Germany and the hook at the top was done to look like a shepherds crook. They would be given to young children who were being noisy during services that were conducted around the Christmas holiday.

Final Thoughts on Interesting Facts About Candy

What other interesting facts about candy do you know? Share them in the comments.