Did you know that the average American eats almost 25 pounds of candy every year? About 50% of that candy comes from the 51 chocolate bars that Americans eat every year, making chocolate candy a popular and possibly even an addictive habit. Much of this popularity stems from the easy availability of chocolate candy online, besides, of course, the flavor of chocolate and the candy itself. Let’s take a brief look into how the humble candy evolved to become one of the most sought-after treats today.
Origins of Chocolate Candy
Sweet treats are believed to have its origins in the Egyptian empire where ancient Egyptians combined fruits, nuts, and honey to create chewy and juicy treats. But candy can be traced to ancient India, known for its sugarcane cultivation. Small pieces of sugarcane were boiled and when it thickened, it was consumed as Khanda which came to be known as candy.
Besides Egyptians and Indians, people from China, Persia, and Greece were also known to have sweet treats using honey and later, from sugar based on the chronicles of people who traveled to India and brought back this recipe for candies.
Transformation to a Sweet Treat
The earliest candies were prepared to calm the digestive system and to fix a sore throat, and not really as a treat. Herbs were mixed with fruits, nuts, and sugar to treat different conditions, especially those related to the digestive system.
This idea changed in 1830 when the Industrial Revolution made it easier than ever before to make candies through machines. Also, the abundant availability of sugar boosted its production, thereby leading to the opening of many candy shops around cities. In fact, the candy store became a staple of Americans and epitomized the idea of giving them away as treats to children.
Commercialization of Candies
The next step was the invention of candy press that made it easy to make bulk gummy candy within a short time. From then on, manufacturers began to experiment with different ingredients to create their signature candies. Of course, chocolate proved to be the most versatile and profitable of it all because of the inherent penchant that consumers had for this flavor.
Rapid Strides
The candy industry started making rapid strides from that point on, especially after it was given as gifts to soldiers who returned from the two world wars. Also, it became a common practice to gift chewy candies and lollipops during Christmas and Easter. Sometime in the 1950s, giving away hard and soft candy became an integral practice of Halloween and it continues even today, with sales skyrocketing year-on-year.
Emergence of E-commerce
The emergence of e-commerce and globalization gave a big boost to all businesses, including candy. Many chocolate candy online stores emerged that specialized in selling chocolate candies in different flavors and shapes to meet the growing demand for it. Most times, these stores also sold mint candies, gourmet lollipops, and more.
Today, chocolate candy online stores even personalize candies for different occasions. For example, wedding candy bars are a popular option offered by chocolate candy online stores that double up as the perfect return gift for all the guests at a wedding. Likewise, these stores offer personalized bulk candies for companies to give them as gifts to their employees during the holiday season. These ideas and the possibility to customize chocolates to meet different needs and occasions have made it a great choice of gift for everyone.
Thus, the humble candy has come a long way from ancient India to become an essential part of life for most people around the world.
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