If you want to know what Halloween lovers are passionate about, it isn’t the best face for a jack-o-lantern, homemade vs. store-bought costumes, or even their favorite horror movie.
It’s candy corn.
Everyone has an opinion on this controversial candy, but there’s no denying it’s a Halloween icon.
The interesting thing? That’s not quite how it got its start.
Here are 20 fun facts about this popular sweet you may not have known.
20 Fun Facts about Candy Corn
Candy corn was invented in the 1880s – It was created by George Renninger, a confectioner at the Wunderle Candy Company.
It was originally called chicken feed – When Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly) started mass-producing it in 1898, they marketed it as ‘chicken feed’ because corn was mainly used as animal feed at the time.
Each piece is three colors, but made from one pour – The layers (yellow, orange, and white) are poured in separate stages into cornstarch molds.
Candy corn has remained unchanged for over 100 years – The recipe has stayed nearly the same since its invention.
It was a year-round candy at first – Before becoming a Halloween staple, it was enjoyed throughout the year, especially by farmers.
National Candy Corn Day is October 30 – Just in time for Halloween!
More than 35 million pounds are produced each year – That’s about 9 billion pieces of candy corn annually.
It’s mostly sugar and corn syrup – The main ingredients include sugar, corn syrup, fondant, and marshmallow-like vanilla flavoring.
It’s technically fat-free – Not that it makes it a health food…but there’s no fat in classic candy corn.
People either love it or hate it – It’s one of the most divisive Halloween treats, sparking debates every spooky season. (Which side are you on?)
It pairs well with peanuts – Some say mixing candy corn with salted peanuts tastes like a PayDay candy bar.
There are multiple flavors now – Variations include caramel apple, pumpkin spice, and even Thanksgiving dinner flavors!
It used to be made by hand – Before automation, workers would pour each colored layer by hand into molds.
It’s shaped like a kernel of corn – Though some people think it looks more like tiny traffic cones or party hats.
If you stack pieces in a circle, they form a cob of corn – A fun party trick to see how it resembles real corn!
It was one of the first penny candies – When it was first sold, a large bag of candy corn only cost a few cents.
The taste has been described as ‘frosting in a different form’ – Since it’s mostly sugar, it has a similar sweetness to cake frosting.
You can use it for baking – Candy corn can be melted down into cookies, brownies, or even homemade butterfingers.
Some people bite off each color separately – While others pop the whole piece in at once.
It’s a popular decoration for Halloween and fall – Even if people don’t eat it, they love the way it looks in candy dishes or craft projects.
The only question left: are you pro- or anti-candy corn?
Let me know in the comments. Then be sure to check out the rest of this series to create your own candy corn tea party this spring.
(For the record, I’m pro-candy corn…for about three pieces and then it’s too sweet for me. But I LOVE it for decorating!)
