Are you a history buff or just an avid candy enthusiast? If you answered yes, you’re bound to find the history behind some of your favorite snacks both riveting and informative! After all, the history of sweets is about as rich as the candy itself. From lollipops to chocolate, here is a brief history of some of your favorite sweet treats.
Lollipops
Lollipops are universally loved by everyone. With so many flavors to choose from, they are indeed a treat that can satisfy everyone’s taste buds. Whether you like fruity lollies or enjoy a bakery-inspired confection, you can never go wrong when you hop on the Good Ship Lolllipop.
But have you ever thought about how they came to be? The history of lollipops starts in ancient Africa and Asia. Historians believe that back then, people inhabiting countries such as China and Egypt would coat and candy pieces of fruit in honey. The honey would help add an additional layer of sweetness, but it would also serve as a preservative to extend the life of whatever fruit they used.
Nowadays, lollipops are created using sugar and corn syrup as the main ingredients. Though the process isn’t too complicated, this sugary treat has come a long way since its early creation.
Though their exact date of creation is a bit fuzzy, lollipops as you know them have only been around for a century. The first lollipop automation machine was created in Wisconsin in 1908. Not only were our phones and cars evolving around this time, but our candy was, too. This machine allowed for mass production of the lollipop. After that, similar machines started to sprout up across the globe, making it easier to keep this crowd favorite in stock at nearly every candy store. Now, you can find lollipops virtually everywhere — from the grocery store to the local branch of your bank.
Chocolate
Chocolate is world-renowned for being one of the richest and decadent desserts to date. It’s also quite a popular delight. Around 50% of someone’s yearly candy consumption is made up entirely of chocolate.
This treat dates back to ancient times as well — as far as 450 BC, in fact! Chocolate is derived from the cacao plant, which had many uses to the indigenous people living in this area at this time. The Aztecs even used these cacao beans as a form of currency. It wasn’t until the Spanish invaded the Aztecs that the plant was later brought to Europe.
Of course, chocolate is now ubiquitous in western society. It’s seen as both an after-dinner treat and a declaration of love and affection. Many different kinds of chocolate now exist — from white and milk to the darkest chocolate. And with so many fun additions (like spices, nuts, herbs, and other surprising ingredients), there’s never been a more exciting time to enjoy a piece.
Gummy Candy
Gummy candy is another crowd-pleaser. Whether you’re a fan of Sour Patch Kids or chewy fruit snacks, you’ll be interested to learn that gummy candy was created in Germany in the 1920s by Hans Riegel. Though you may not know him by name, you’ve likely heard of his company. He was the founder of Haribo. Does it ring a bell? Riegel was inspired by the performing animals in the circus he would attend as a young boy. Thus, the gummy bear was born.
Gum arabic served at the primary ingredient and base. Therefore, the word “gummy” stuck around (pun intended!) and is still used over one hundred years later. Now, you can find a wide variety of gummy shapes in our shop, from bears and worms to fish and peaches!
Wrapping Up A Sweet History Lesson
As you can see, candy has evolved with us throughout the years. It’s more than just a sweet treat after a main course.
No matter the occasion, candy can help express your true feelings. That’s why you should work with a company that lives and breathes candy when you need a sweet and subtle way of communicating. Whether you need bulk chocolate for a wedding candy bar or want to buy bulk gummy candy for a holiday party, we are the online candy shop that can cater to every sweet tooth. For more information or to learn more about our selection, please contact us today.
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