1. History

2. Sales

3. Production

4. Variants

5. See also

6. References

Candy corn is a candy most often found in the United States and Canada, popular^[1] primarily around Halloween. The three colors of the candy – a broad yellow end, a tapered orange center, and a pointed white tip – mimic the appearance of kernels of corn, hence the name.^[2] Each piece is approximately three times the size of a real kernel from a ripe or dried ear.

Candy corn is made primarily from sugar, corn syrup, confectioner's wax, artificial coloring and binders.^[3]

History

"Chicken Feed" was the original name of the candy with production starting in the 1880s.^[4] Wunderlee Candy Company was the first to produce the candy.^[5] Following the 19th century, the Goelitz Confectionary Company (now called Jelly Belly) manufactured the product. Along with other agriculture-inspired treats at the time, the late 19th century, America's confectioners sought to market candy corn to a largely rural society.^[6]

Candy corn is a staple of the Fall season and Halloween holiday in the United States of America. The taste of candy corn can be described as somewhat polarizing, and has been a subject of wide debate.^[7]

Sales

The National Confectioners Association estimates that 35 million pounds (over 9000 metric tons) of candy corn are sold annually.^[8]

Production

Originally the candy was made by hand.^[9] Manufacturers first combined sugar, corn syrup, carnauba wax, and water and cooked them to form a slurry. Fondant was added for texture and marshmallows were added to provide a soft bite.^[9] The final mixture was then heated and poured into shaped molds. Three passes, one for each colored section, were required during the pouring process.

The recipe remains basically the same today. The production method, called "corn starch modeling,"^[2] likewise remains the same, though tasks initially performed by hand were soon taken over by machines invented for the purpose.^[10] As of 2016, annual production in the United States is 35 million pounds, or almost 9 billion pieces of candy.^[13]

Variants

A popular variation called "Indian corn" features a chocolate brown wide end, orange center and pointed white tip, often available around Thanksgiving.^[4] During the Halloween season, blackberry cobbler candy corn can be found in eastern Canada. Confectioners have introduced additional color variations suited to other holidays.^[2] The Christmas variant (sometimes called "reindeer corn")^[11] typically has a red end and a green center; the Valentine's Day variant (sometimes called "cupid corn")^[12] typically has a red end and a pink center; In the United States during Independence Day celebrations, corn with a blue end, white center, and red tip (named "freedom corn") can be found at celebratory cook outs and patriotic celebrations; the Easter variant (sometimes called "bunny corn") is typically only a two-color candy, and comes with a variety of pastel bases (pink, green, yellow, and purple) with white tips all in one package. In 2011, there were caramel apple and green apple candy corn variants. In 2013 there were s'mores and pumpkin spice variants. In 2014, carrot corn was also introduced for the Easter season, typically being green and orange, and having a carrot cake type flavor. In 2015, birthday cake and "celebration" candy corn have been introduced for the Independence Day season.

See also

• Candy pumpkin
• Fruitcake

References

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