This bright and colorful candy has been around for over 100 years. In the early 1880s, an employee of the Wunderle Candy Company, George Renninger, invented candy corn. In 1898, the Goelitz Confectionery Company, founded by two brothers, began mass-producing this sweet treat, which increased its popularity. Today, after many business mergers, the fourth generation of Goelitz brothers still carries on the tradition of making quality candy corn at the Jelly Belly Candy Company.
Originally, the confection was made with sugar and corn syrup cooked in large kettles. The candy was poured into buckets; then, the candy makers poured the hot liquid into kernel-shaped trays as they walked backwards. This process took quite a long time, as the workers had to do this three times to achieve the layers of white, orange and yellow colors. Once made, it was packaged in wooden boxes and tubs, and distributed by wagons.
Today, candy corn is created similarly, but now machines do most of the work. Manufacturing companies use tray molds made from cornstarch, and each colored layer is poured by automated machinery. The mold is then left to dry, which generally takes from 24 to 48 hours. After this process, the trays are emptied and the candy corn is born!
This candy is so popular it actually has its own day designated for it; October 30 is National Candy Corn Day. Nearly nine billion pieces of this sweet confection are produced yearly for all to enjoy!
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
