November 4th is National Candy Day, a delightful occasion to indulge your sweet tooth and celebrate the world of confections. Whether you’re savoring your favorite treats or experimenting with homemade sugary creations, this is the day to embrace the joy of candy!

Who can resist the allure of candy? From chocolate bars and taffy to sour gummies and licorice, candy is a universal delight. Each of us has a favorite—a treat that brings comfort, joy, or a nostalgic trip down memory lane. National Candy Day is the perfect excuse to indulge in those cherished sweets or explore new ones you haven’t tried yet.

Every country has its beloved candy traditions:

• USA: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and M&Ms are top favorites, with the former dating back to 1928 and the latter to 1941.
• Canada: Kit Kat fingers are a hit, with more than 700 consumed every second worldwide.
• Chile: Ambrosoli offers a range of popular fruit candies, caramels, and chocolates.
• Russia: Alpen Gold chocolate bars come in a variety of flavors, including those with liqueur and hazelnuts.
• Poland: Prince Polo, a chocolate-covered wafer bar, is so loved that Icelanders consume over a pound of it per person each year.
• Denmark: Haribo gummy bears and licorice are incredibly popular, with Danes consuming an impressive 18 pounds of candy per year on average.
• UK: Cadbury’s creamy, milky chocolate has a fan following with varieties that include caramel, mint, and even popping candy.

The love affair with candy dates back to ancient times. The English word “candy” is derived from the Arabic “Qandi,” meaning “made from sugar.” Ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and Chinese used honey to create candied fruits, a practice that also helped preserve food during travel. When the Spaniards brought cocoa to Europe from South America, it transformed into a beloved sweet treat, eventually leading to the creation of the first chocolate bar in 1847.

By the early 19th century, candy shops began popping up across Europe and the Americas, driven by innovations in sugar and cocoa processing. Hard candies like lemon drops and peppermints gained popularity, setting the stage for the modern candy industry we know and love today.

How to Celebrate National Candy Day

• Candy Tasting Adventure: Visit a specialty candy store or international market and explore new treats you’ve never tried before.
• DIY Candy Making: Try your hand at making homemade candy. There are plenty of beginner-friendly recipes online that guide you through caramelizing sugar to create delicious sweets.
• Share the Sweetness: Surprise a friend or loved one with a sweet gift. It’s a small gesture that can bring a big smile.
• Candy Nostalgia: Revisit your childhood by indulging in the candies you loved growing up. Share stories and memories with family and friends over your favorite treats.

National Candy Day is more than just an excuse to eat candy—it’s a celebration of the simple pleasures in life that bring us happiness and comfort. So, whether you’re a fan of classic chocolates, fruity gummies, or sour delights, take this day to indulge, explore, and share the joy of candy with others.

Here are 20 interesting facts about candy that might surprise you:

1. Ancient Origins: The earliest candies were made by the ancient Egyptians, who used honey to coat fruits and nuts as a form of sweet treat.
2. Chocolate’s Roots: Chocolate was originally consumed as a bitter beverage by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs. It wasn’t until the 16th century that sugar was added to make it the sweet treat we know today.
3. Candy Canes: The first candy canes were made in the 17th century and were all white. It wasn’t until the 20th century that the iconic red stripes and peppermint flavor were added.
4. Cotton Candy’s Inventor: Cotton candy was co-invented by a dentist! In 1897, Dr. William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton created the machine that spins sugar into this fluffy treat.
5. Mars and M&Ms: M&Ms were invented during World War II so soldiers could carry chocolate without it melting. The hard candy shell prevents the chocolate from melting in the heat.
6. Largest Lollipop: The world’s largest lollipop was created in California in 2012. It weighed over 7,000 pounds and was over 5 feet in diameter!
7. Pop Rocks: Pop Rocks candy was invented by accident in 1956 by a scientist who was trying to create an instant soft drink. The candy gets its fizz from carbon dioxide trapped inside the candy, which is released when it dissolves in your mouth.
8. Licorice Love: Black licorice gets its distinctive flavor from the root of the Glycyrrhiza glabra plant. However, most “licorice” candy in the U.S. is flavored with anise, not true licorice root.
9. Most Popular Candy: According to various surveys, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups consistently rank as the most popular candy in the United States.
10. Candy Corn: Despite its polarizing taste, candy corn has been around since the 1880s. It was originally called “Chicken Feed” and was marketed to farmers and their families.
11. Jelly Beans in Space: Jelly beans were the first candy to be sent into space. They were requested by President Ronald Reagan for the 1983 Challenger space shuttle mission.
12. Gummy Bears: Gummy bears were created in Germany in 1922 by Hans Riegel, the founder of Haribo. The original gummy bears were inspired by trained bears seen at street festivals.
13. Oldest Candy: One of the oldest known candies still made today is Turkish Delight, which dates back to the 1700s in Turkey.
14. Candy Buttons: Candy buttons, those little dots of sugar on paper strips, are one of the only candies still made with manual labor due to the complexity of the process.
15. Sweethearts Conversation Hearts: The iconic candy hearts with messages were first made in the 1860s by the New England Confectionery Company (NECCO). They have been a Valentine’s Day staple ever since.
16. Sugar Rush Myth: Despite popular belief, scientific studies have shown that sugar does not cause hyperactivity in children. The so-called “sugar rush” is more psychological than physiological.
17. Snickers’ Name: The Snickers bar was named after a favorite horse owned by the Mars family, the creators of the candy.
18. Tootsie Rolls in War: During World War II, Tootsie Rolls were included in soldiers’ rations because they could withstand various weather conditions and didn’t melt.
19. Sour Candy: The sourness in sour candies like Warheads comes from acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, and malic acid, which are also naturally found in sour fruits like lemons and limes.
20. World Record Kit Kat: The largest Kit Kat bar ever made weighed over 45 pounds. It was made in the UK in 2017 to celebrate the candy’s 80th anniversary.