Candy corn: Production, facts & popularity-Erakina

Introduction

Candy corn is one of the oldest candies, especially famous as Halloween candy. This is a tricolor candy that looks like corn kernels. The colors yellow, orange, and white are traditional colors used as colors of the harvest. Candies, sweet treats, and gummies play an important role in Halloween, which started mainly in the 1950s.

During the 1880’s candy corn arrived, which looked like corn or chicken feed invented by George Renninger of Philadelphia’s Wunderle Candy Company. This tri-color treat was stocked up by 95% of the holiday shoppers in 2019 (as estimated by National Retail Federation) and is still prevalent in multiple states and countries. By 1898 Goelitz Confectionery Company, now known as Jelly Bely, also started manufacturing candy corn.

The largest manufacturer of candy corn now is Brach’s Confections which produces 85% of the total production of candy corn during Halloween.

Candy corn: Production & facts

During the late 19^th century, the treats were mainly agriculture-inspired, and the shapes of turnips and chestnuts were also seen in buttercream candies, while the tricolor candy corn was unique for its bright color scheme. Earlier cakes and shortbread biscuits were popular and distributed to children and the poor. It is the staple candy of North America for Halloween but is also considered controversial as people either love it or hate it.

October 30 was also dedicated to ‘National Candy Corn Day’ by National Confectioners Association. Candy corn was made by hand initially by combining corn syrup, sugar, carnauba wax, and water. The slurry thus obtained after cooking them was poured into a mold to get the desired corn-shaped candy. Step by step, the pouring process was done to get the three colored sections or layers.

It is called corn starch modeling, and machines are used for the same output. There is not much alteration in the recipe. Candy corn sales are highest during Halloween, while in 2016, it was observed that the annual production of candy corn in the United States was around 35 million pounds. Some popular variants are also seen during Christmas, Halloween, or thanksgiving.

Cocoa powder is used in ‘harvest corn,’ which is white, orange, and brown. Other color variants are used for different holidays or occasions, such as red and green for Christmas and red and pink for valentine’s day. Varieties of colors are used during Easter. Reindeer corn is green, white, and red for Christmas. It has a shelf life of about six months when stored in a cool and dry place. The packaged candies can stay fresh for up to 9 months.

Candy corn is used nowadays in various desserts, treats, drinks, cakes, cupcakes, and more.

Candy Corn Popcorn

Let’s have a look at an easy candy corn popcorn recipe.

Ingredients: 1 cup popped corn, half cup candy corn, chopped milk chocolate, half cup.

Method

halloween

• Mix popped corn and candy corn together. 
• Heat the chocolate and drizzle on the popcorn mixture.
• Mix well. It is ready to serve.
• Any other kind of chocolate can also be added as per your choice.

Conclusion

Candy corn is a combination of corn and candy with added flavors. It does not have any nutritional value but is high in calories. It is fat-free and contains gelatin which comes from animal bones. It is good to enjoy it as a treat in moderate amounts. Candies are a part of tricking or treating during Halloween and hold a lot of fun factors for children.

Innovations around corn candies are unique and are widely used in different desserts or treats on other occasions. Desserts or treats with colorful candies are always delightful and add an extra dose of happiness to festivals or any special event.

Internal links:

have you try it befor? if not, try it. Wheat Nankhatai- Erakina

Vegan Butter: It couldn’t be any easier to make- Erakina

Make your Pumpkin Bagels with this effortless Recipe- Erakina

External links:

Read more about Candy corn benefits and recipe