Candy canes makes an appearance once a year over the holiday season. The iconic red and white striped peppermint hook is used to adorn Christmas trees, within reach for little hands to grab a treat when gathered around. They are a universal holiday decoration bringing color to storefront windows, front porches, and everywhere else. What most people don't know is how this minty treat rose to popularity and will forever be the most universally recognized candy associated with Christmas. Here are some of the most enlightening facts about candy canes that shed light on its shape, flavor, symbolism and history.
Everything to Know About Candy Canes
Most people probably don't know much about the history of candy canes or how this Christmas treat developed into a popular symbol of the holiday season. Children's books about candy canes share all the ways this hard, minty hook-shaped sucker appears throughout holiday celebrations. The rich tradition of this striped mint can be traced back hundreds of years. Interesting legends and folklore about when the candy cane was invented, the various places it first appeared, and what it represented to the people who enjoyed it. Kids will have a whole new appreciation next time they hook these stick candies around a Christmas tree branch or pass them out to friends at a holiday party. Here are some interesting facts about candy canes to ponder next time your are enjoying a peppermint treat.
History of Candy Canes
The candy cane has a surprisingly rich history, a fascinating blend of folklore, cultural shifts, and ingenious technological advancements. What began as a simple sugar stick evolved into the iconic Christmas symbol we know today. Its journey—from a quiet-keeping tool for children to a globally recognized holiday treat, continually evolving in shape, color, and flavor, and ultimately becoming mass-produced—is truly captivating.
(1) The origin of the candy cane can be traced back to 1670.
Candy sticks had already gained popularity, but then a choirmaster in Germany, frustrated by chatter young singers, had an idea. He twisted the sugary treats into the shape of a shepherd's hook and passed them out during religious ceremonies to keep little ones quiet.
(2) Candy canes made their first appearance in America in 1847.
A German immigrant introduced them as a sugary and decorative custom for the Christmas season. August Imgard is the name of the person credited for bringing them here. Legend has it that he decorated a spruce tree with handmade paper ornaments and candy canes for Christmas. And the rest is history!
(3) The red and white stripes were not added to candy canes until the 1920s.
For the prior 200 years, candy canes were entirely white. This was determined from Christmas cards showing pictures of the candy without stripes. Interestingly, the peppermint flavor was also a new feature around this same time.
(4) An Atlanta native is credited with distributing candy canes as Christmas treats to all his friends and family members.
Thanks to Bob McCormack , the peppermint sticks are widely available for everyone to enjoy during the Christmas season. The candy was originally made entirely by hand and was incredibly labor intensive. So, in the 1950s, Bob's brother-in-law (Gregory Keller) invented a machine to automate the production. Hence the birth of Bob's Candies, the first business to mass produce candy canes and distribute them around the world!
Candy Cane Sales
Candy cane sales offer a fascinating look into seasonal consumer behavior, market resilience, and the enduring power of tradition. The sales data for candy canes clearly illustrates how a product can become deeply embedded in cultural celebrations, remain relevant through careful innovation, and generate significant, predictable revenue, even—or perhaps especially—because of its extreme seasonality.
(5) More than 1.75 billion candy are produced and distributed for sale every year in the U.S.
What is even more staggering, although not surprising, is that 90% of the sales occur between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Another obvious fact still worth mentioning is that these peppermint sticks are the top-selling non-chocolate candy during the holiday season. Another interesting thought to ponder is what happens to the 10% not sold during this time of year. Are people really buying them during the non-holiday months?
(6) Disneyland sells candy canes for more than $70 per pound.
Even though prices soar all throughout the park, customers still may have some sticker shock when the cashier rings up a pound of candy canes. Even more interesting is the long line that forms every day outside of the candy shops that sell the limited, hand-pulled peppermint sticks. Sold on an alternating at two different locations, Trolley Treats and Candy Palace, customers flock there to purchase a supply of 18-inch, 5-oz candy canes. For perspective, they measure 6 inches longer than the standard size and weigh about 5 times as much.
Candy Cane Records and Contests
Candy cane records and contests are simply fun, mixing holiday cheer with a dose of playful competition and often some truly impressive feats. Since candy canes are so deeply tied to Christmas, any event featuring them instantly taps into the season's festive, lighthearted spirit. It's a fantastic way to engage with holiday traditions in a unique and memorable way. Whether you're trying to craft the world's longest candy cane or battling it out in an eating contest, there's an inherent challenge that makes these events exciting. People just love to test limits— their own and those of the candy cane itself!
(7) The largest candy cane ever crafted required 900 pounds of sugar and was 51 feet long.
It was made in 2012 by a chef in Illinois. Alain Roby, owner of a confection shop called All-Chocolate Kitchen, holds the Guinness World Record. After the candy cane was constructed, he used a blow torch to affix spun-sugar ribbon bows to as a final touch.
(8) The prior record was held by a candy cane cane measuring almost 37 feet.
Fabiano's Chocolates and Ice Cream, a Lansing, Michigan staple since 1924, holds a sweet spot in candy cane history. Back in 1998, the skilled team at Fabiano's crafted a colossal candy cane that measured an astonishing 36 feet 7 inches (11.14 meters) long and 4 inches (10.1 cm) in diameter. This impressive feat earned them the Guinness World Record for the largest candy cane at the time. While their record was later surpassed, Fabiano's continues its long tradition as a family-owned business, still delighting customers with their handmade chocolates and candies.
(9) A strange record was set for the most candy canes in a beard.
The current Guinness World Record for the most candy canes in a beard belongs to Joel Strasser from the USA. He accomplished this feat on December 16, 2024, in Boise, Idaho, by meticulously placing 200 candy canes into his facial hair. Strasser is well-known as a "serial record-breaker," holding numerous Guinness titles for adorning his beard with various objects.
More Fun Candy Cane Trivia
Learning candy cane trivia is a fun experience that combines nostalgia, quirky facts, and a sprinkle of holiday magic. There's an inherent whimsical charm to candy canes, from their iconic stripes and distinctive hook to their playful association with Santa and his elves. Delving into these fun facts helps us tap into the more magical side of the holidays. Plus, candy cane trivia makes for excellent, lighthearted conversation starters at any festive gathering around the Christmas tree.
(10) National Candy Cane Day is officially December 26.
It seems like there is a holiday for everything, so why not celebrate Christmas candy as well. There is really no traditional way or customary activities to do on this day, so feel free to get your creative juices flowing! One fun idea includes making paper mache candy canes and decorating them as a family. Another thought is to bake cookies or cupcakes and decorating them with red and white stripes.
(11) You can find some strange candy cane flavors.
Beyond the classic peppermint, one of the weirdest (and most recent) candy cane trends is the rise of truly bizarre and savory flavors. Some companies have rolled out incredibly unusual options, including pickle, bacon, mac & cheese, ketchup, shiitake mushroom, pizza, pho, and even ham. These unexpected candy canes offer a taste experience far removed from the traditional sweet and minty treat, often sold as novelty or gag gifts rather than for serious enjoyment.
More Fun Facts for the Christmas Season
