Candy Canes

As a young candy maker in the early 20th century, I've always been fascinated by the history of our craft. The story of candy canes began in 1670 when a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany bent sugar sticks into canes to represent shepherds' staffs. He gave these all-white treats to children during long nativity services to keep them quiet. About 50 years later, the iconic red-and-white stripes appeared, though no one knows who invented them. It's funny to think that striped candy canes weren't seen on Christmas cards until after 1900. When I started in this business, we began adding peppermint and wintergreen flavors to candy canes. It was exciting to be part of this evolution, watching these simple sugar sticks transform into the festive treats we know today. As I craft each candy cane, I think about its journey through time. From a choirmaster's clever idea to a beloved holiday symbol, it's amazing how this little candy has touched so many lives. Who knows what changes the future might bring to our cheerful candy canes?