1. When did people first start eating candy?

Well, it all depends on your point of view. Did cavemen eat Twizzlers and Milky Ways? Probably not. But honey, a naturally sweet treat, has been a favorite throughout recorded history and is even mentioned in the Bible. According to the National Confectioners Association, the ancient Egyptians, Arabs and Chinese candied fruits and nuts in honey – making an early form of candy. The Mayans and the Aztecs both prized the cocoa bean, and Mayan texts refer to cacao as the “food of the gods.” In 1519, Spanish explorers in Mexico discovered the cacao tree, and chocolate made its way to Europe. People in England and the American colonies enjoyed boiled sugar candy in the 17th century. Hard candies started to become popular in the 19th century – especially sweets like peppermints and lemon drops.

2. How is candy made?

The specifics are different for each type of candy, but the basic process is the same: Candy is made by dissolving sugar in water. The level of heat determines what kind of candy results. Hot temperatures make hard candy, medium heat will make soft candy and cool temperatures make chewy candy.

Candy corn is the signature candy of Halloween. When was it invented?

George Renninger, who worked for the Wunderlee Candy Company, invented candy corn in 1880. In 1900, the Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly Candy Company) started producing the tricolor confection. Today, the popular candy is produced by machines, instead of by hand as it was in the early days. It is created from the bottom up – first the yellow layer, then orange and then the white tip. This year, more than 35 million pounds of candy corn will be made. That’s almost 9 billion pieces!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!