Here are some interesting historical facts about candy development in America. It is generally believed that the idea of a sweet treat was first conceived by cavemen, who were known to gather honey from bee hives. Later as civilizations began to develop, honey was often used to barter for other goods and necessities. Later when sugar processing was discovered it too became a highly traded commodity.
During the Middle Ages, sugar wasn't readily available, and what little was, came at a high cost. This made 'sweets' of any kind a delicacy available only to royalty and the very wealthy.
In the seventeenth century in England and in the American colonies, as sugar became a little more available, people began to boil sugar and water into hard candy. At first these candy delights were mainly for their own consumption, but it wasn't long before they began showing up for sale in various shops.
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.
Sweet-making developed rapidly into an industry during the early nineteenth century through the discovery of the 'sugar beet' and the advancement of the mechanical age. Also at this time an assortment of flavors began to be introduced into the candy mixture. Hard candies, such as peppermints and lemon drops became hugely popular in America during that era.
By the mid-1800s candy in America was being manufactured by over 380 factories. Most were producing individual hard candies which were then sold loose. A trip to the general store was a real treat for kids growing up in that era. There they would drool in anticipation, over the array of "penny candies" proudly displayed in glass jars by the shop owner.
The middle of the nineteenth century also began to see the introduction of chocolate into the candy industry as both cocoa and sugar production rose to new heights.
American Time line of Confectionery:
1854 - The first packaged box of Whitman's chocolates makes it debut.
1868 - Richard Cadbury introduces the first box of chocolates designed specifically for Valentine's Day.
1881 - Wunderle Candy Company creates a multi-colored confection is calls 'candy corn'.
1893 - William Wrigley, Jr. introduces America to Juicy Fruit gum and Wrigley's Spearmint gum.
1896 - Tootsie Rolls debut, introduced by Leo Hirshfield of New York who named them after his daughter's nickname, 'Tootsie'.
1898 - Goelitz Confectionery Company takes over making candy corn. They have since made this Halloween favorite longer than any other company.
1900 - Milton S. Hershey of Lancaster, PA introduces the first 'Hershey' milk chocolate bar, and the beginnings of a chocolate empire.
1901 - The 'King Leo' pure peppermint stick candy was developed and trademarked. The stick has been in continuous production since then and is still offered today, by its current manufacturer, Quality Candy Company, Inc.
1901 - Pastel colored little candy disks called NECCO wafers first appear named for the acronym of the New England Confectionery Company.
1902 - Necco makes the first conversation hearts - tiny Valentine's Day favorites with messages printed on them.
1905 - The Squirrel Brand Company of Massachusetts creates the first peanut bar.
1906 - Hershey's Kisses chocolates appear in their familiar foil wraps.
1912 - Life Savers, the candy named for its ring shape with the hole in the center is introduced in peppermint flavor. It would be 22 years before the popular five-flavor roll is introduced.
1912 - The Whitman's Sampler box of chocolates is born when the company president decides the needlework hanging in his home would make beautiful packaging. It is the the first box of chocolates to include a now-famous index showing the filling in each candy.
1913 - Goo Goo Clusters, a Southern favorite, was the first bar to combine milk chocolate, caramel, marshmallow and peanuts.
1920 - Fannie May Candies opens its first candy shop in Chicago producing a variety of chocolate enrobed butter creams and caramels.
1920 - The Baby Ruth candy bar is first sold. Contrary to popular belief, it was named for President Grover Cleveland's daughter - not the famous baseball player.
