National Candy Corn Day
By Sharon Schweitzer
In the late 1800s, George Renninger of Wunderle Candy Company created candy corn. His sweet treat represented the bright colors of corn kernels. Originally, candy corn was yellow, orange and white. However, it wasn’t until1889 that the Goelitz Candy Company made the candy popular. Later, other candy makers developed a variety of popular colors and flavors as well.
The original confection was made by hand using corn syrup, sugar, water, marshmallows, fondant, and carnauba wax (a wax made from the leaves of a palm tree). However, modern candy makers combine the original ingredients using machines.
Believe it or not, candy corn was first marketed as “Chicken Feed”. The confection proved so popular that the conglomerate, the Goelitz Candy Company (sort of like a modern Brach’s), competed to take over mass-production of the seasonal sweet treat.
Having won the rights to produce the candy, the company soon put the original name of “Chicken Feed” out to pasture … and “Candy Corn” was born.
Candy Corn was notable partially due to the fact that it was the world’s first tri-color candy! It didn’t hurt that the related companies realized that specialized candy for Halloween was becoming increasingly popular in this era. So more and more styles of Halloween candies became popular during this time of the year. Next on the list to be created by Wunderle were the Candy Pumpkins made from Mellocreme–a very close cousin to Candy Corn that is often sold in the same bag, called Autumn Mix.
Whether you enjoy a bag for a sweet treat or use it as part of your fall decorations, there is always room for candy corn to celebrate the fall season.
Photo by nsfamilyline.org
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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