19 December is National Hard Candy Day, and is observed annually.
Most hard candies are 100 per cent sugar with added flavouring and colouring. Most confectioners boil sugar syrup to 160 degrees Celsius to achieve a hard candy. Once the desired temperature is reached the hot, pliable sugar is poured into moulds, rolled or folded into shapes and left to cool. The solid sugar, once cooled, becomes hardened and brittle.
The first hard candies, such as lemon drops and peppermints, were most likely prescribed as medicine for stomach ailments.
When sugar prices dropped in the 17th century hard candy became popular – previously it was something only the rich could afford. This popular treat was manufactured by more than 400 companies by the mid 1800s.
Werther’s Original was surpassed by Jolly Ranch in 2015 to become the best-selling hard candy in the USA. Other popular hard candies include Dum Dum Pops, Life Savers, Tootsie Roll Pops, Charms Blow Pops, Beacon’s Sparkles, humbugs and butterscotch sweets.
Celebrate today by visiting a candy store and buying yourself some of your favourite hard candies.
Post on social media using #NationalHardCandyDay.
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