Sunday, September 2, 2012

Origins of Your Favorite Candy Shop Candies


Just mentioning the word "candy" is enough to make many people's mouths water. Forget cakes and cookies, candy is the way to many hearts. What other food product takes center stage during holidays like candy does around Valentine's Day and Easter? There is a reason why sweet treats are so popular and everyone has their favorites.
People like candy for the sweet taste created by its sugar content. The flavor is rich and the treats come in different types. Their consistency attracts many people and whether you prefer hard, crunchy, or chewy candy, it is not difficult to find. In the earliest form of candy, cave people sucked honey from beehives. Spanish explorers discovered cacao, the main ingredient used to make chocolate, in 1519.
Gummy candy has been a favorite for decades. Gummy bears were the first gummy candies created, made during the 1920s by Hans Riegel, owner of Haribo German candy company. However, it was not until 1982 that gummies began being manufactured in the U.S. by Haribo. Trolli candy manufacturer actually beat its German competition to the punch, making the first gummy worm candy in 1981. Gummy worms are now the most popular gummy candy.
An edible gelatin forms the basis of gummy candy. This ingredient is also used to make licorice, soft caramels, and other sweets. It provides elasticity, chewiness, and extends shelf life. People have been using gelatin since the era of Egyptian Pharaohs, making it a longstanding staple in food preparation. Cornstarch, sugar, corn syrup, flavoring, and food coloring are the other ingredients used to make gummy treats.
Many chocolate lovers head straight for candy store display racks holding M&Ms candies. Most of us know the company slogan by heart and are very thankful that Forrest Mars developed the recipe for this delicious chocolate in the midst of the Spanish Civil War. The first M&Ms chocolate was made available for public consumption in 1941. Peanut M&Ms were introduced in 1954, the same year the slogan and adorable M&Ms characters made their appearance. Vegetable dye is used to imprint the letter "m" on each piece of candy.
While some people stick with these sweets, others go for one of the many novelty candies available. Pez is particularly popular and was initially created as a substitute for cigarettes. The first Pez candy was peppermint-flavored and the word "Pez" stems from the German translation, pfefferminze. Who knew that candy shop candies had such an interesting history?


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7239600

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