Candy cane
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A candy cane is a hard cane-shaped candy stick. It is usually white with red stripes and flavored with peppermint; however, it is also made in a variety of other flavors and colored stripes. The candy cane is a traditional candy surrounding the Christmas holiday, although it is possible to find them at any time during the year.
The candy cane was originally a straight, hard, and all-white candy stick. The cane shape is traditionally credited to a choirmaster at Cologne Cathedral in Germany, who, legend has it, in 1670 bent straight sugar sticks into canes to represent a shepherd's staff, and gave them to children at church services. Whether the choirmaster had the "Good Shepherd" in mind is unknown. Pepper mint candy with red stripes first appeared in the mid-19th century in the Swedish town of Gränna [1] (http://www.grm.se/turistinfo/ENGELSKA/grennaeng/polkagriseng.htm), and striped candy canes in the early 20th century.
Urban legends about the origin of candy canes
Apocryphal tales suggesting the candy cane was created wholecloth (usually by an American Protestant, usually described as being an unnamed candy maker in 1870s Indiana) to represent Jesus have become popular in recent years. These are recently created stories with no factual basis.
Other uses
Candy canes are sometimes ground up and use as a topping for foods such as ice cream or as an additive to drinks such as hot chocolate. They are also used to decorate Christmas trees.
Common flavors besides peppermint include:
The British confectionery called "seaside rock" is manufactured in a similar fashion.
External links
- About.com (http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blchristmas.htm): History of the candy cane
- Urban Legends Reference Pages debunking (http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/candycane.htm) of candy canes' religious originssv:Polkagris