Facts about Candy Canes

Candy Can Facts & Trivia

 

In what year was the candy cane first introduced to children? (A.) 1871 (B.) 1670 (C.) 1542 (D.) 1847

Legend states that the first candy cane was a straight white sugar stick. A choirmaster in Germany bent them into the shape of a candy cane. They were then handed out to all the children during a ceremony in hopes that it would keep them quiet during the show in 1670.

 

Facts about the candy cane:

1. August Imgard of Wooster, Ohio, was a German-Swedish immigrant who, in 1847, decorated a Christmas tree (Blue Spruce) with candy canes and paper ornaments. He was the first person in the United States to put candy canes on a Christmas tree. The candy canes were plain white.

2. Some say a candy maker in Indiana made a candy cane to represent Jesus. They say the white stripes represent Jesus’ purity. The red stripes represent Jesus' blood, and the J shape is for the staff of the Shepherds. Some say the J shape is also a reminder of Jesus.

3. The red and white stripes were added to the candy cane in the early 1900s. Possibly 1900.

4. Did you know that there is a National Candy Cane Day? It is December 26^th.

5. In 2012, a Swiss chef named Alain Roby made the world’s tallest candy cane, which measures 51 feet long.

6. In 1919, Robert E. McCormack founded Bobs Candies, the largest candy cane manufacturer.

7. About 1.70 billion candy canes are made every year. Around 90% of the candy canes made each year sell during Thanksgiving and Christmas. That is a lot of candy canes!

8. Candy canes come in a variety of flavors, but the traditional is the peppermint-flavored candy cane. Did you know that there is also a pickle-flavored candy cane and a mac-and-cheese-flavored candy cane?

 

What is your favorite type of candy cane?

 

Books about candy canes:

1. Candy Cane Magic by Beau Spearman

2. How the Candy Cane Got Its Stripes: A Christmas Tale by Kevin Brougher

3. Katie the Candy Cane Fairy Storybook by Thomas Nelson

4. Candy Cane Christmas by Helen C. Haidle

Parents ensure books are child-friendly before reading them to their/children.

 

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