The idea of sweet treats was first invented by cavemen who ate honey from beehives.
During ancient times, the Egyptians, the Arabs and the Chinese prepared confections of fruits and nuts candied in honey.
The original candy canes were straight and white and date back to almost four centuries ago. The candy cane was said to be "Christianised" in the late 1600s to resemble a shepherd's staff. Later, a German immigrant brought them to America. Candy cane flavours are traditionally peppermint and wintergreen.
During the Middle Ages in Europe, the high cost of sugar made candies delicacies available only to the wealthy.
Candy is made simply by dissolving sugar in water. The different heating levels determine the types of candy. Hot temperatures make hard candy, medium heat will make soft candy and cool temperatures make chewy candy.
Cocoa, from which chocolate is made, was discovered in 1519 by Spanish explorers in Mexico. The Aztec Indians are said to have used the cocoa bean as drink. The scientific name of the cocoa tree's fruit is Theobroma Cacao, which means "food of the gods".
The melting point of cocoa butter is just below 98.6 degrees, which is why it literally melts in your mouth.
In Jamaica, Christmas and Valentine's Day are two holidays when candy sales are the highest. Meanwhile in the United States, Halloween is the holiday in which candy sales are recorded to be in the highest.
Boiled sugar candies were enjoyed in the 17th century in England and in the American colonies.
Sweet-making developed rapidly into an industry during the early 19th century through the discovery of sugar beet juice and the advance of mechanical appliances. Home-made hard candies, such as peppermints and lemon drops became popular in America during that time.
Denmark has the highest per capita consumption of candy in the world at 29.5 pounds.
Information compiled from www.candyusa.org and candymakers.com
