Candy corn a classic favorite

Corny candy

Whether you’re a princess or pirate, ghost or goblin, one thing likely is on your mind today – candy.

Lollipops. Snickers. Tootsie Rolls. They’re all out there, waiting to be snatched up.

But what about that simple little candy that often gets left behind for the shiny wrappers and flashy names?

Yup, we’re talking about candy corn. The tri-colored goodie might not be the fanciest of sugar rushes, but it is an old-school favorite. It even has its own day: Sunday was National Candy Corn Day.

In honor of this occasion, we thought it would be fun to take a little look at this triangular sweet and see what makes it stick.

Where did candy corn come from?

The Jelly Belly Candy Co., formerly known as the Herman Goelitz Candy Co., started producing candy corn around 1898, which means they’ve been making candy corn longer than anyone else.

But were they the first? Last year, Bill Kelley, the fourth-generation owner of Jelly Belly, told The Seattle Times that candy corn was invented by George Runninger at the Wunderle Candy Co. in the 1880s.

When candy corn first came along, farmers were some of its biggest fans. Some people considered the candy revolutionary because of its three colors – yellow top, orange middle, white tip.

If Halloween isn’t your holiday, the candy makers have an answer. Sugar lovers everywhere now can enjoy Reindeer Corn (red, green and white) for Christmas, Cupid Corn (red, pink and white) for Valentine’s Day and Bunny Corn (pastels) for Easter.