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Call for questions: CANDY (Patreon)

Published:
2024-09-16 18:30:48
Edited:
2024-09-16 18:36:56
Imported:
2026-06

Content

I've been wanting to do this one for years and sweet sticky saccharin it's finally here: CANDY! My next interview is with one honey of a researcher: a candy historian and shop owner with over 40 years experience in the field. Her expertise is on the influence of candy in North America from its early history through the mid-1900s which means we'll cover everything from teas, syrups and spices to chocolate bars, lollipops and bubble gum. Drop me your questions for the ologist below.

Deadline: Thursday, September 19 at noon PST

 

Part of a Du Pont cellophane ad in the Saturday Evening Post, 1957

Comments

Matt Ceccato

Why the tying of certain candies to holidays?

Miranda Garniss

FTQA what's the candy with the weirdest history?

Lindsey James

What’s the earliest history (oral or documented) that we have of candy? How long have people been making and indulging in sweet little treats?

joesyourmom

Do we consider cough drops candy? What are some non candy candy substitutes?🤷‍♀️💅

RJ Doidge

Are the different colors of M&M’s ACTUALLY different? Why does my brain like them differently?? Gummy candy: why are different brands so many differing textures?!

Abraham Livingston

Have you seen those humorous Amazon reviews for the sugar-free gummy bears?

Nicole Howley

Why is candy the running fuel I have ever had?

Jessi B

What trends are currently shaping the future of candy and how to they balance consumer demand for both indulgence and healthier options?

Lindsey James

Besides modern holidays (like Halloween) what other kinds of rituals do we have with candy?

MrsCarterOfMars

When I'm really nauseous, sour candy helps me feel better. Why?

Zed Shirogane

What are some candies made back in the day that really shouldn’t have been made? Like stuff that would not pass the FDA product tests in present times.

Nicole Howley

How does candy preference differ in different regions/cultures?

gilliansmith

How have the ingredients of candy changed throughout the decades? Less pure ingredients? More artificial ingredients?

Liv Tambrini

What are the origins of salt water taffy? Who discovered that? And how?

Susan Lin

What's the most surprising candy you've encountered? Mine was rose petal candy from India, so lovely!

Cheryl W

Is chocolate candy or are they separate categories?

Clay Troyer

FTQA: This may be beyond the realm of candy and more on the neuroscience side, but my professor passes out hard candy before exams because it’s supposed to be good for your nerves. Is there actually any connection between having hard candies and mental performance or are we just suckers?

Kailyn Joviak

What’s a flavor from each decade that has been popular but since has been discontinued?

Naomi Jane

What's the weirdest thing you've come across as a flavour/ingredient/theme?

Andy Pepper

Would love to hear their thoughts (yay or nay) on the ever-polarizing orange circus peanuts! 😄 And if there’s time, if they know/love Adventure Time, home of the Candy Kingdom.

Chrysalis Ashton

What is the history of gummy candy? It is my favorite!

Chris Curious

Are there flavors that used to be popular that aren't anymore? I'm remembering the "spice drops" my grandmother used to love having around.

Renee

Chicago is the birthplace of so many candy brands, why is this and is there another city that also birthed a lot of candy.

Heather Mardis

FTQA, as a child I didn't have access to much candy, so the times I did were always pigout sessions, what's with that?

Mariann

Why is there not a better product to use instead of gelatin yet?

Annmarie Everhart

Do you know of any instances where candy played a key (maybe surprising) role in the outcome of any cultural, political, social, etc events?

Jenn Macgillivray

Explain castoreum to me. I was trying to explain it to my sister and she was like “surely that’s more work than just using vanilla?” But I guess back in the day when we were just killing beavers left and right for their pelts (were Canadian) it was easy and cheap as dirt?

Eil Be Gone

Why does chocolate make me feel happy?

Hannah

FTQA: Why does eating a comparable amount of gummy candies (e.g. gummy worms) make my tummy hurt and the same amount of chocolate will feel fine to my stomach. [no known gastrointestinal issues]

Kara

What are fun cultural holidays or rituals involving candy from around the world that westerners might not be familiar with?

Hannah

FTQA: What candy currently available has the worst history of creation (like Coca Cola having cocaine originally)

Iso Partee

I used to love super sugary candy as a kid( like pixie sticks and baby bottle pop with that sugar dip) Just straight sugar! I’m 26 now and the thought of that candy makes me gag! Why do kids love that sugar taste and when do your taste buds start to change ??

John Worster

Does gum count as a candy, and if not, what do you call blow pops? Or do blow pops have their own seperate category ?

Anna

Pop rocks, what makes them do that in my mouth?? love it but just what?? like how??

Amy Hailes

Hi there, first time question asker here! Will candy actually damage my teeth? I'm in my 30s (not like, a child) and I love candy, and last year my dentist suggested I eat less candy 'cause it could damage my teeth, and I'm simply not willing to do that. I'd rather replace my teeth. I want the dentist to be wrong.

Greg Walloch

Why is European candy and chocolate so much better than US candy?

Hannah

FTQA: I am convinced “blue” is the best flavor of candy, followed by “red”, then “yellow” - any thoughts? It doesn’t matter what the flavors actually are. If the same candy exists in different colors and corresponding flavors the color matters more to me.

Hannah

FTQA: How many licks to get to the center of a tootsie pop?

Dr. Lina Carpenter

(1) Does candy by definition have sugar in it? And/or does it have to be sweet? (2) What is the "oldest" version of candy we know of? I'm guessing candied nuts came before candies like toffee, caramel, hard candy, nougat, etc.? (3) Are there any historical figures who had interesting "guilty pleasure" candies? (4) Can we talk about how there are ingredients we use in US candy that other countries don't use? (5) I know chocolate has all sorts of ethical issues with child/slave labor and supply chain, but are there other ingredients in our candy that have ethical issues?

birdnerdrobin

Why do we like extremely sour candy, you know, the kind that makes our mouths pucker, yet we go back for more? Same for extremely spicy/hot candies?

Greg Dobbs

Ferrara Candy Co has recently stopped making Atomic Fireballs, Jaw Busters and Lemon Heads. What drives a company to discontinue products? I already miss the Fireballs and Jaw Busters.

Amanderlander

FTQA why does even thinking about a warhead make my mouth salivate? Why is chocolate considered a separate subsection of candy? And why are jimmies (Chocolate sprinkles) as an ice cream topping so regional?

Greg Dobbs

The World May Never Know. 🦉

Honey Bee Grey

Is there any kind of candy that lessens the chance of tooth decay? I love sweets however my chompers don’t what so ever.

Hope J 🏳️‍🌈

Is the concept of healthy candy true or an oxymoron? I’m thinking of the German chewy and hard candy Nimm 2 which has vitamins infused into it. Or the fact that some people use cough drops as candy instead?

Dylan V

Are there any healthy candies? How much licorice or dark chocolate can I justify eating?

Greg Dobbs

I had a Swedish Fish tear off part of a crown. I may have weakened it with hard candy though. Can confirm candy will damage teeth.

BangtanNoah

FTQA: This! I’m interested in the relationship between how different regions’/cultures’ taste for sweetness is reflected in the candy/sweets of that region/culture. Idk if that makes sense, but I know there are different perceptions of what “sweet” is, and I wanna know how that affects candy preferences and/or what kinds of foods are considered candy in different regions/cultures. Yikes, sorry I can’t figure out how to be more concise about this!

Garrett McLaughlin

Are there candies that are “healthier” than others? I doubt any candy can be healthy, but are there candies that will be less bad for you?

Sean Murphy

First time question! I inherited a stock certificate from my late grandfather from the "Jobbing Confectioners' Association" - I had heard that my grandfather worked in the candy business when he was young, but never knew anything more. I haven't been able to find much about the organization and would love to know anything more about my grandfather's history!

Shelby Reardon

I feel candy, like soda, is a legacy industry. You don't see brand new candies or sodas popping up all the time. It's the same classics but they are just coming up with new formats (like how many reeses products can they actually make?!). Is that a true observation? If so, why have the classics stuck around so long? What does it take to break into the candy industry?

Hannah

I pulled a permanent retainer (bonded to two teeth in the back with serious dental glue) with a Sugar Daddy (the sucker version of Sugar Babies)

Nicole S

Why does international candy taste better than US candy?

Omennik

Castoreum smells so nice :)

Margaret Downs

1) What was the first candy? Would it be recognizable to us at all? 2) What "counts" as candy? I'm thinking of it kind of as a continuum, using chocolate as an example, from Hershey's kisses (definitely a candy, imo) to brownies (not a candy) with fudge somewhere in the middle. Interested in others' thoughts as well.

BangtanNoah

FTQA: How has industrial/commercial machinery affected how candy is made? I’m thinking of the art of sugar pulling/shaping (like candy canes) by people vs. machines. What are the differences there? Any similarities? Is something lost when an industrial machine is involved?

Rayna

Why are there so many fudge shops in the south?

Matt Thompson

Is gelatin for candy really made from animal by-products? (sorry if this ruins candy for some)

Smorgindorg

Hello! My question is: Is all candy sugary (not necessarily sweet)? and, what defines a candy; size, shape, snackability or adictiveness?

Matt Thompson

Why do Turkish delights taste like the scent of soap? I have a bone to pick with Edmund Pevensie

Omennik

Musk lifesavers sound weird to me, being in the US

Alex

What explains some of the cultural differences in how candy is made and what it tastes like?

Jennifer Froh

Do sugar free candies really make you poop? Why?

Matt Thompson

What are the artificial flavors made from?

fullmetalknee

My brain thinks dried fruits are better for you than regular candy. Is this false so I can feel less guilty about Mike & Ikes? How bad is it really and is moderation the solution as usual?

Jennifer Froh

Is chocolate really an aphrodisiac?

Diana Teeter

I want to know more about the history of penny candy. Also something that has always confused me-why was it called penny candy? Did it cost a penny per piece?

Jennifer Froh

Explain the difference between normal gummies and the white fluffy gummies

Jennifer Froh

Why did you not say GUMdrop your questions?

Eating dog hair for a living

When did chocolate get discovered and how did it get discovered? Was it used as candy at first or some type of "medicine"? When did sugar get introduced to chocolate? When was chocolate first marketed as candy? And by which company? Does chocolate make you fat? Or the amount of sugar added to it. When was milk chocolate first made? Does it have actual milk in it? Why is dark chocolate better for you? When did chocolate chips first get introduced and why? When did candy first start showing up in Halloween bags? Can you tell I prefer chocolate over other candy?

Lizzie R

Even accounting for changes in recipie, why do some childhood sweets not taste the same? Some taste different, some taste better/worse etc

Evan Davis

Why does sour candy destroy your mouth?

Bee

Is there any archeological evidence of candy and other sweet treats from around the world?

Michelle Fox

Why do you have to get sugar to such a precise temperature when you're making candy? What is the chemistry of that?

Elisha Ramey

I’m super interested in this as well! I live 2 blocks from Spanglers (specifically the Bit-O-Honey building) which is responsible for like 90% of all candy canes in the US according to the newly opened Spanglers store & museum on the square in our tiny town. This summer they celebrated some big anniversary and had a huge parade.

Edith-Marie Roper

Which combination is better: peanut butter and chocolate, or caramel and chocolate

Molly Sisson

FTQA - What defines something as candy? My stepson asked me this the other day & I was stumped on how to answer him.

Organic Free-Range Lily

What's your take on high-fructose corn syrup? Do you think the candy industry will ever stop using it? (I know some companies, such as Jones Soda, use old-fashioned sweeteners, but they're in minority.)

Yuri

Which nation has the best candy, and why is it japan?

Devin McPeek

Why is gummy candy SO GOOD even though it's so bad for our teeth? What makes us want to consume and chew on sugary gummy stuff that destroys our teeth?

Elisha Ramey

Scarcity mindset is a good place to start googling :)

Ivelisse Sanchez

What is up with red dye #5? Why is it in everything? Is there any candy that is good for you or better to consume compared to other types?

Evan Davis

Whats up with black current flavoring being illegal?

Lizzy Martinez

So you know how there's food categories where a hot dog is technically a sandwich? So, are soda and ice cream technically candy?

Quincey Robisheaux

Is there such a thing as nutritional candy? I've had troubles eating all my life but candy has always consistently been edible for me

Kelsey Larson

Why is temperature so key to the texture of candies?

PopsicleEmperor

Why has their been a decline in new candy innovation?

Kate Herrmann

How much Red40 is too much Red40? are Swedish Fish going to kill me

Camille Charlebois

Why is candy just so darn addicting? Once I start eating it, I can’t stop!

Saira (‘Sarah’) Manns

Ok but why is it called candy? I’m from Australia and we rarely use that term - we mostly will say “lolly” or “lollies”, which I guess is a shortened form of lollipop, but now I wanna know why they’re called lollipops to begin with, so bonus second question: why are they called lollipops?

Betsy Hoffmeister

I love the sensation of Spree and SweetTarts -- that hard texture that melts as you suck on it. I think it goes back to orange baby aspirin. I have never forgiven SweetTarts for getting rid of the orange flavor. Is there any other candy you can think of that has that same texture element? Whilhelmina Mints are really close, but they are too hard. It's a textural thing for me. Mmm.

Charlotte Parkinson

Why are certain flavours banned or not used, like blackcurrant where here in the UK, they're allowed?

Dave Brewer

Any favorite candy-themed books (besides Wonka) /movies (besides Wonka)/songs (besides “I Want Candy” (which I realize is not really about candy))/video games (besides Candy Crush/other works that you’d recommend?

Tania Magic Fingers

I had no idea that this is a name of sweets (candy) but I think any cluster of nerds is perfect. Such as the cluster of nerds here on Ologies. :) ;)

Crystal Wilson

Why does my brain love a super sour candy? Me thinks it would be counter productive🤣

Andrew McVay

Candy cigarettes and pipes, Big League Chew, Cherry Clan… of all the cancelled candy what did you like best (taste or cleverness)? What are your thoughts on “PC candy”?

Earl of Greymalkin

1) What is the sugar industry like now versus its history? Where is most of it sourced now versus hundreds of years ago? Is there any ethical candy consumption under capitalism? 2) Is anyone going to update the banana flavor?? Or is it going to stay like that forever? 3) How were flavored syrups and sodas developed? Was there a shift from medicinal application to recreation at some point? Were sodas developed out of teas? 4) What were the first candies? Were cave people out there enjoying bits of honeycomb or tree sap? 5) Is it possible to train yourself out of a sweet tooth? Does the availability of candy mean there are more people with a sweet tooth these days? 6) Do you have any fun historical candy recipes? 7) What the hell even is bubble gum?? How was it developed any where did that (nasty, omg ew) flavor come from? 8) How many bug parts are in candies? Like the red dye? What else is in candies that we have been blissfully unaware of? 9) Are there any particularly entertaining examples of candy-related legal cases? 10) How did the big names in the candy industry (Hersheys, Mars, Nestle etc) become what they are today? Did they get in early and take over or hit particularly winning recipes that became super popular? 11) Do you have any favorite local or small scale candy makers?

Ani Gee

Wait... What?? I'm which country???

Ani Gee

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to chocolates. There are lots of chocolates in America that are subpar. I know other countries weren't allow them because of quality, why are they allowed here in the States?

Hope

did candy start as a health fad? if so when did the transition to candy now start?

Raigene Thibaut

Same with hot candies like Hot Tamales, Red Hots, Fireballs, Cinnamon Juju bears? They hurt so good! It’s my go to road trip flavor to keep me awake and focused.

Ani Gee

A lot of gummy candies are made with gelatin and it's always from animal bones. Some companies make them with tapioca or other products. But not many. Of course that means my vegan a$$ can't eat gummy bears anymore.

Lauren Kelliher

My husband thought it would be cute to propose sincere marriage with a Ring Pop lollipop. I assumed it was one of his bits and did not say yes. When he pulled out the real ring, I was still so baffled from the candy that I could only ask if he was joking. We’ve been happily married for 22 years, so it worked out, but why did that candy ring confound me?

Jenifer Fleming

I'm half Mexican, grew up in southern California eating spicy Mexican candies alongside the regular US candy staples. Does the sweet and spicy combo affect us differently than just sweet or sweet and salty combos?

Jenifer Fleming

Why are special seasonal reeces cups better that the standard? Shout out to my pumpkin and tree reeces lovers.

Nathalie Jones

Where is the line between candy and any sweet treat? Do all cultures seem to have this distinction or is "candy" rooted in sugarcane/Western imperialism?

Iris Clover

How does dark chocolate help period cramps?

Erin Burbidge

How do elelemts other than flavor contribute to making something "candy"? How important are color and texture?

Andrea Devlin

Is there hope for lower sugar candy that still tastes good?? For people (such as myself) who have to watch their sugar intake 😊

CurtisDawg

Favorite song about Candy??? (I like Bow Wow Wow...)

Raja

Where did the word "candy" come from and has its definition changed/evolved since it was first a thing? ("Raja" rhymes with Papaya)

Euan Munro

Watch out, you'll have some Swedes arriving to defend it!

Tea Danilović

My mom was born in Sweden and is the only person in the family who likes it (no one in the family is actually Swedish tho) 😂 but honestly it's an interesting question, why is licorice so incredibly polarizing?

rowantree

Where does sour candy come from!! I’m obsessed with it. Why was it developed? What was the first sour candy?

Andrea Devlin

Also wondering, since there are so many different brands of chocolate out there (See's, Dove, Ghirardelli, Russell Stovers, etc) why do some taste so cheap compared to others? Is it just a different recipe or maybe the type of cacao plant??

Jenifer Fleming

Cherry heads is the name that replaced Cherry clan which makes a lot more sense for company branding if you ask me.

Tea Danilović

Is it me or does candy bought at the airport taste better than the same candy bought in a supermarket?

Sydonie S.

How have artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes changed candy?

Sydonie S.

With climate change impacting cocoa production, what can we expect for chocolate candies in the future? Is there a substitute?

mynameisaurien

Yes! My relatives bought and ate penny candy in the US NE as kids suring the 60s

Callie Fong

What's up with the sugar free gummy bears from Amazon making everyone's butthole a firey shitshow?

Kristina Weaver

What is the oldest candy recipe in existence?

Alli B

Missed lollipopportunity 🤣

Lalie Kossatz

Me too!!! Send help (or more candy, I ran out)!

Andrew McVay

Oh yeah, never a fan of Cherry Clan as a name. I was glad for the rebrand.

Alli B

Hershey bars and kisses are the classic American chocolates, and compared to higher quality bars, and chocolate from other countries, they are kind of garbage. Why is that chocolate so popular in the US? Are they riding on sentimentality? Bonus question, why is PGPR added to Hershey’s chocolate?

Bennett Vanderbosch

What would you consider candy that most folks would not? And what about vice versa?

Scientifically Lily

Is there any candy that’s actually good for you ? Is there any naturally occurring candy ? On my friends farm they will find honeysuckle and drink the nectar is that candy? Or is there a candy naturally occurring like that ? I feel like a lot of the candy in the US is mostly highly processed chemicals 😅. Is it bad to give a child candy ? I heard it can mess up their taste receptors and make them reject fruits and naturally occurring sweet things

Alli B

Who developed the first candy vending machines—the ones you pop a coin in and a handful of unwrapped candies roll down. I have fond memories from childhood in Germany, getting my handful of Boston baked beans (and candy cigarettes from other vending machines).

Scientifically Lily

Read the word tea. Would they be able to tell me how to make the best cup of chai tea from scratch ? There’s a spice store near me with most if not all the ingredients 🥰

Scientifically Lily

Why did my mom only let me get sugar free gum ? But other candy it didn’t matter. Is sugar in gum like super bad ? Ignore if gum isn’t candy 😂. What’s the best candy store in the US ???

Alli B

For the ologist: what is your all-time favorite candy, and has a new favorite tickled your fancy recently?

Scientifically Lily

Does the ologist hate people who pass out apples on Halloween ?

Scientifically Lily

Yummy recommendations for my diabetic father ? His doc said only sugar free boring candy

Alli B

What are some global trends you see coming to candy in the near future?

Lalie Kossatz

FTQA: Why do some people not like candy? If we are biologically programmed to like sweet, high-calorie foods, are those people evolutionary anomalies? 🤔

Anna

What do you think about freeze dried candy? Do you think any of the major brands will get in on it? Also why is it so good? (first time question asker)

David Villafranco

Does sugar actually give kids extra energy or are they already hyper to begin with

David Villafranco

What do you think of allulose, is it really the miracle sugar alternative?

Kellie McCain

Who decided white chocolate should be called a chocolate? It shades the world of chocolate. Be gone white abomination!

Joy Kotheimer

Have there been studies regarding candy preferences changing over time as people age- how much is taste preference vs nostalgia?

Rachel M

My husband says black licorice was invented because they didn’t have sugar. Any truth in that?

Brenden O'Donnell

I heard that Hershey’s chocolate bars are no longer considered chocolate because they don’t have enough cacao. Is that true? If so, who makes that decision???

Dave Brewer

Tangent: Black licorice is the only licorice. The red ones are called Red Vines or Twizzlers or something. The only place you might find the word licorice on a package of red is the name of the company. Apologies for being mansplainy, but this is a pet peeve.

Dave Brewer

Who are these monsters? 😉

Dave Brewer

I’m not Swedish but I like it.

Dave Brewer

I am interested in the banana question too.

Dave Brewer

Are you old enough to have had the original giant sweetarts? It was like a hockey puck.

Lee Wang

Are certain sweeteners worse than others? How do zero calorie sweeteners like stevia or erythritol stack up against real sugar?

Katherine Aaron

Why is white chocolate not considered a real chocolate?

Lee Wang

I've heard it can cause some pretty painful digestive issues for some people

Leiza Hicks

How did candy evolve from ancient times to modern day?

Leiza Hicks

How have different cultures effected the development of candy

Paula M

Is candy in the US/CA worse for you than European candy? It sure taste different and it seems Europeans are not as obsessed with candy compared to the US counterparts.

Storm

Is there a ‘healthy’ candy you can eat?

Deborah Gray

Why are dum dums called dum dums?

Storm

As i understand it, our craving of sugar was an evolutionary advantage, but no longer is, is there a way we can bypass this?

Storm

why are there no fun flavours of gum!? i mean there’s like cute fruit flavours but where’s the toffee or chocolate?!?

Deborah Gray

I heard that banana flavor in candy is based on a type of banana we can’t get anymore because the plants were nearly all wiped out. Is that true? What is the earliest example of candy?

Madeline DLC

Why does too much candy give me a headache?

Madeline DLC

My coworker just came back from Europe and she brought a candy called wine gum. They were kind of like chewier gummies and do not contain wine. Why is this called a wine gum?

Kathleen C

What's in saltwater taffy and why is it called saltwater taffy?

Mark McPhillips

Why do different cultures have different expectations of how sweet things should be. I'm British and traditional Chinese sweets taste almost savory to me, American sweets are kind of cloying, and Brazilian sweets are off-the-scale sweet. But for my friends from these cultures, their level of sweetness tends to be the baseline when perceiving everything else

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

What is it about sugar substitutes in sugar-free candy (ie sorbitol, malitol) that give you the epic poos? The sugar-free gummy bear reviews are of legend — has the Ologist ever read them?

Caro Young

What’s the origin of the word candy?

Anthony Richards

I've read that natural chocolate has prebiotics and antioxidants. Is this true?Is chocolate healthy before we add all the sugar and other stuff to it?

Caro Young

What are some of the earliest types of candies we’ve enjoyed and how has candy evolved over time?

Caro Young

Has candy always had such a bad rep or is this a product of modern times, mass production and health consciousness?

Caro Young

What are some unusual or forgotten candies throughout history?

Geo

What are some ingredients that were allowed in the past, but now would be against FDA regulations for candy?

Rachel Prestayko

How do they make sour candies sour? What are they coated with?

Rachel Prestayko

Why are sour patch kids kids? Why do we love eating candy versions of children?

Lillian Rolfe

Cinnamon candy: from Fireballs when I was a kid, to the bag of Cinnamon jelly beans I’m chewing on right now, has cinnamon always been a popular flavor? And why do I love the burn when I don’t typically like hot savory foods?

Rachel Prestayko

What's the history of maple sugar candies and maple taffy (maple syrup rolled in snow)? I'm Canadian and would love to brag it was invented here.

Rachel Prestayko

Why did they stop making Sodalicious candy? Root beer flavoured gummy candies were amazing

Rachel Prestayko

How popular are Jelly Belly Harry Potter every flavour beans? How did they develop a vomit and earwax flavour?

Rachel Prestayko

Canadian here! We've had gummy edibles here for a few years now. What changes about candy making when infused with cannabis and/or CBD?

Turner Pierce

First time question asker: How is sugar free candy made? Why does sugar free chocolate never quite taste right? Are there any sugar free candies that you swear by? Love your friendly neighbor type 1 diabetic with a sweet tooth.

Rachel Prestayko

What's the history of razor blades in Halloween candy? Is this an urban legend?

Rachel Prestayko

Does a spoonful of sugar really help the medicine go down?

Paige

So I was in Spain recently and a tour guide in Barcelona claimed that lollipops were created there. But when I do research, there are so many different people claiming to have created the lollipop. Do we actually know when lollipops were first created?

Rachel Prestayko

How big is the candy industry in the US? How much money is spent on candy per year?

Diana Staresinic-Deane

What, exactly, makes something candy? Is candy universally recognized? Did candy exist before cane sugar?

Lisa St

What's the weirdest candy you've come across? I'm not a fan of licorice (or the red stuff), and whoa, salmiakki is like OMG what did I just put in my mouth??? I think it's the only 'candy' I had to spit into a napkin... (clearly not of Scandinavian heritage, though I do have those genes...) I also don't especially like gummies or jelly beans. Are there texture issues with candy for people? Is candy categorized into various textures? (I do like chewing gum and chewing on dried squid... so it's not the chewiness) (lisa saint)

She Purple

I second “did candy exist before cane sugar”.

Jackie G

How is it that Hershey's dark chocolates taste LESS like chocolate than their milk chocolate counterparts when they should have more real chocolate in them?

Jackie G

We put a both real fruit and candy out last Halloween and lots of kids took fruit, especially very young kids, who we hypothesized took what looked familiar to them as a 3 year old might not recognize seasonal candy packaging, and teenagers who we hypothosized realized that their candy haul needed some balance. It was a facinating experiment.

She Purple

I also want to know about historical figures’ candy preferences

Jackie G

Similar to others' questions, I'm curious of the lines between candy and other categories. I personally view this as a spectrum but I believe there are regulatory definitions to enable various laws. How does the ologist see it? Do they have a stance on fudge? Ice cream? Soda? Hot Cocoa? Frappuccinos? Gum? marshmallows? No-bake cookies?

Rose

Does “candy” refer to a specific category of sweets? For me personally I never think of chocolate when I hear the word “candy” I think of hard candies or gummies or jellybeans or something more “manufactured”. Is chocolate definitionally a candy?

Cooper Michael

Is there any sort of science behind why some people like different kinds of candy? And do candy creators create for specific types of customers?

Rachael Mae

FTQA: This is a similar question that others had relating to children loving sweeter things! I used to dislike dark chocolate as a child, but now that I’m an adult I find myself enjoying that bitter taste. Why? Is it simply because the world is causing me to become bitter too? 😂

Brain 🧠 Shenanigans

What is it about sour candy that makes it highly recommended to snap you out of an anxiety spiral? Or to help with nausea whilst pregnant (like Preggie Pops)?

Sadie Vipond

Can you talk on Indigenous sweets?

Sadie Vipond

A women who was one of the oldest people to have lived said her secret was dark chocolate (if I'm remembering correctly). Is there any truth behind this?

Sadie Vipond

How come I love chocolate, but hate chocolate ice cream?

Sadie Vipond

Does candy affect our gut microbiome in any way?

Sadie Vipond

What the heck is happening with Pop Rocks?

Lisa Gorman

Is smaller batch candy generally tastier? Does mass production limit the ability to make candy taste as good as it can due to practical concerns (such as needing to remain smooth at certain temperatures)?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Salty European liquorish! Is it candy? Is it savory? Is it actually an edible food item? How did it come to be?

Lisa Gorman

Why are there flavors of Cadbury bars available in the UK and Canada that we don't have here in the US? Any good tips on where to get international candy beyond giving traveling friends a shopping list?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

How have some candy varieties come to be considered for kids vs for cool teens vs for sophisticated mature adults? Signed a lover of sour gummies and nerds rope in her mid 30s.

Lisa Gorman

Why did they get rid of lemon flavored jolly ranchers? Also, why are they called jolly ranchers?

BeckytheSassySeagrassScientist

Please spill the (Boston baked) beans about how weird animal bits like beaver butt juice and bug shellac made their way into my sweet treats! I guess also, is it true that 'natural flavor' can be from beaver glands and candy coating can come from insects?

Piper Warnick

What is the earliest thing considered to be candy? Both how we would define that with our current understanding as well as when was that a concept people thought of

Sam

Do I actually need to stop drinking sweet n low (saccharine) in my coffee? Other sweeteners don’t cut it.

Bob in Oregon

FTQA: What has "Big Candy" done to the treats we love to make them so unhealthy?? Is fruit really the best healthy alternative?

Betsy Hoffmeister

Well, there's beet sugar and sorghum and rice sugar. Japanese candy is ancient. People have been eating honey forever. Maple syrup. Lots of forms of sweet before cane sugar!

Betsy Hoffmeister

haha haha I accidentally ate some of these once, can confirm, pure laxative.

Steve Kelem

How are liquor-filled chocolates made? And I don't mean the hard sugar container that some brands use, and not the capped method. Lindt does something special...I think with a left-handed sugar and glycerine. I want to know more about that process!

Alice Rubin

How do candy companies have the audacity to call root beer syrup in a wax shell candy?? The nerve!

Alice Rubin

Who decided blue color is raspberry flavor?

Alice Rubin

what is the origin story of jaw breakers and how did they get do ding dang big? Who wants a half licked ball of sugar laying around?

Pacheecha

How did candy come to be and was it considered a food item then and is it actually a food item now? Also, are chocolates considered candy or are they in a separate category? Someone asked why there weren't more interesting gum flavors and i have tasted some weird ones, like in Japan they had a Lady gum that was perfumy and I've had salt licorice gum in scandinavia. And one last thing, is sugar as addictive as they say, because it sure feels like it!

Heidi heidistrohl@mail.com

My 6 year old daughter wants to know what different kinds of sugar are used in candy and what additives make it so addictive

Addie Cappello she her

Who decided that figuring out fancy ways to eat sugar was a good idea?

Diana Staresinic-Deane

Fair point! I'm curious when different cultures began making candy for candy's sake.

Renee Wanger

Simple question but: how does one define "candy"? What (technically) is it?

Lucy Antonelli

Bogdon’s Candy Reception Sticks… not a question just been looking for them for years. Grandma used to get them… haven’t had one in years. lmk if anyone knows where to find 👁️👁️

SuchaHotMetz

How do I kick my candy problem? Is it actually an addiction? What was the first candy ever made? Was candy ever associated with social status ala charlie and the chocolate factory? Have you ever seen Adventure Time? Watch the 1st episode with the candy that turn into zombies!!!! Candy corn?

SuchaHotMetz

I have never heard this and now plan to carry some around. I guarantee a shock tart would help me out if an anxiety spiral! Thanks Shenanigans!

Nathan Marion

Soo many candy questions from a sweet tooth… What the heck is Blue Raspberry flavoring and why is it so good and so popular? How are hard candies like Jolly Ranchers manufactured on an industrial scale vs how hard candies are manufactured in artisan shops ? Why does North American chocolate and European Chocolate taste so different? WHY ARE KINDER EGGS ILLEGAL IN THE USA ?

Mariko

Why do candy flavors become popular or unpopular? What is similar or different across cultures or eras? Is it marketing, or does it reflect regional ingredients and traditions? I'm Mexican American and the nostalgic candies for me are all centered on tamarindo, chile, and various forms of condensed milk. But, for example, colonial New Englanders had horehound and cloves (as in Necco wafers)... If ancient people had experienced, say, a Starburst, would they have liked it?

Janika Mäki

Have you ever tasted the classic Finnish candy: salmiakki? And what do you think of it? Acquired taste, I've been told, but as a Finnish person I've loved it since I was born.

shyla bradford

What are some of the ways advertising has changed for candy over the years in North America and why do you think the trends are as such?

shyla bradford

Why was candy first made and how have the purposes of it changed over time if at all?

Keerat Singh

What type of candy is the hardest to make? Are they any flavoring or coloring decisions that are made due to chemical reasons?

Mark McPhillips

Less of a question for the expert and more a request for clarification for non-US listeners in the main body: What does "candy" mean in US English? It seems to include chocolate, but in UK English we definitely don't use the word like that

Vanessa Adams

Is candy just all chemicals and artificial stuff? Is there any natural candy?

Vanessa Adams

What’s the oddest candy flavor?

Danielle Sucher

Is this Captain America fanfic right about banana candy tasting like the formerly common Gros Michel bananas rather than failing to taste like real bananas at all? https://archiveofourown.org/works/1488142/ Are there other examples of candy tasting like old natural flavors we no longer regularly encounter in the natural world?

Vanessa Adams

Isn’t modern candy more like a food science playground pushing the limits of what’s edible, and less about the experience of eating a treat?

Hazel

What was the first candy?

James Jakes

When did candy stop being a delicacy, and something cheap that anyone could eat whenever they wanted?

Caro Young

What is the best candy?

Molly Louise

Is it true that some popular candies contain ground up insects as dye, and if so, which ones? Does that mean vegetarians need to be aware of what candies they're consuming?

Kayla Meyer

this is kind of a two in one but why does candy hurt peoples teeth and why does chocolate make me sneeze LOL

Kayla Meyer

not sure if either of those are in your field of study but it’s worth a shot to ask!

Lindsay Mayer

How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?

Lindsay Bowman

What causes some candies to have these pop culture phenomenon? Like M&Ms with the characters, customizable candy, and a freaking M&M store in Time Square. Or Pez candy with the collectable dispensers. Is it just good marketing, or is it something else? Also, what's your favorite pop culture moment involving candy?

Lindsay Bowman

What's the deal with "wax candy" like Wax Lips and Wax Bottle Candy like Nik-L-Nips. Are you supposed to eat the wax or just chew on it?

Autumn Knol

How have different candies/flavors developed in different parts of the world? And, and where would you draw the line between candy and ... patisserie/dessert? Like does it have to be be small? How small?

Rebekah Fitchett

What is Horehound flavor? Why was it a popular flavor? Why is it not common now? Why are Turkish Delights a thing? What's up with Rose Water flavor?

Kadie Quiles Gray

Why is my husband an absolute slave to candy/sugary treats?

Jessica Chance

Were any of our favorite candies invented by mistake?

Moth Sprout

What makes candy and sugar so irresistible when we’re kids (like literally will just eat raw sugar if you can get it) Vs same people as adults, possibly showing absolutely no interest in candy?

Jadine Lannon

Okay will it actually rot my teeth?!

CurtisDawg

Forgot about Bleached - Sour Candy

Kellie McCain

Are there any other icons, legendary characters like Willy Wonka and how much did that really shape our culture of candy? Did the witch really have candy on her house for Hansel and Gretel? What was considered candy in the origins of the story?

Kellie McCain

Can The Candy Man can like Sammy Davis really proclaimed?

The Farming Linguist

who/when/where did the lines between candy and health-item blur? I'm thinking about things like lozenges, gummi-vitamins, etc.

Sophie

What is the oldest unchanged type of candy that we consume today?

Michael Kovens

What is the actual definition of candy? Like, what separates candy from other sweet treats, such as dessert? If something is candied, like a candied apple, is that considered candy?

Linda Guimond

Why do I have LESS will-power to resist candy tempatation now than when I was a teenager? How can I turn-off my desire to consume mass quantites of candy? My waist-line is asking for a friend.

Ingrid Felsl

When does chocolate become candy? I feel like plain dark chocolate is not candy, but pairing it with caramel or sweetened coconut makes it candy. And milk chocolate just needs to be pressed into a cute shape to be considered candy

Paulina Tarr

I'm a teacher and students will do ANYTHING for candy. Why is candy such a powerful motivator??

Ingrid Felsl

How do candy preferences change across the world? How have they changed over time?

Zinc

as someone who is intolerant to refined sugar, why is it so magical like that? i don’t miss the sweetness levels, i miss the endless variety in texture! is there a way to scientifically replicate that?

daniel schmaniel

what's the best candy, and why is it reese's peanut butter cups? also, have you ever ordered them "fresh from the factory", and do they actually taste better, or is it just a psychological trick?

daniel schmaniel

which is worse: candy corn or circus peanuts?

Zinc

is it true or not that sugar makes kids hyper? i have heard conflicting “facts”

Nathalie Jones

This may be more of a dessert-ology question but how long have humans been having little sweet treats (fruit, candy, dessert) after their last meal of the day? Is this a worldwide phenomenon?

Avren Keating

Why has American mainstream chocolate been so shitty for so long? Like Cadbury chocolate in the UK is cheap like Hersheys and mainstream and actually tastes good. Why are we Americans punishing ourselves.

Avren Keating

I know we are getting better (and higher priced) chocolate like Lindt and others, but those aren't available everywhere like Hersheys is.

Heart

Is it really thaaaaaat bad for you? 🙇🏻‍♀️

Zinc

same question from me. with the current obsession on “clean eating” (orthorexia), it feels like food such as candies are vilified to the highest degree.

Hazel

Thanks🥰 she got put down about 1 year ago we miss her

mariia k

is the most candy bought on halloween or is there another day/holiday where theres even more candy bought?

mariia k

what is the weirdest product that still counts as candy although you might not think it is

Diane Doty

Help a mom out. My 11-year-old wants to hear it from an expert. What is the limit to eating candy

Izzy Sofio

Do you think there's a way to get candy to be made of whole, "healthier" ingredients again? (I say again referring to things I've heard about candy once upon a time not having maltodextrin, HFCS, etc.)

Izzy Sofio

Could you tell us more about red 40 dye-- is it really carcinogenic? What has it been banned in certain countries but not the US? What foods/candies have the most of it? Are there other chemicals in most candies that are also carcinogenic? - from izzy & sarah

Izzy Sofio

Why is aspartame in gum?? - Izzy & Sarah

Emily Totero

Did the concept of candy originate in a specific place, or is it more universal? Sweets seem to vary greatly from region to region (or between cultures). What makes something candy vs. another kind of sweet treat?

Molly Shotwell

My 11 year old MUST know - can dogs eat Skittles?

Molly Shotwell

Is there a database of failed recipes? How do we know what is innovative vs a previous disaster?

Alli B

Yas! Freeze dried skittles!

zoey

did people across all cultures crave and create candy or did it originate from one place? is the craving for sweets innate human behaviour??

Bálint Novák

Could you ask her to describe a couple of her favorite candies (favorite by taste and favorite by looks of the candy wrapper maybe)? Even better if she recalls a couple old timey ones that have been discontinued. I'm asking because it's exciting to hear about candy being described by experts in an audio-only medium 😄

Bálint Novák

Also, I'm Hungarian, so I'll probably know only few of the US favorites 🙂

Zoë Scholtes

Why did we ever invent candy? Was there a purpose or did people just want a sweet treat?

Lalie Broten

Why is Hersheys/cheap american "chocolate" such a disappointing product when compared to European chocolate?

Megan Lynch

Ologist to Ologist question here. I've read notes of a horticultural scientist who said that carob pods were not uncommon to find in the US in the late 19th c. as a "candy" in pharmacies/general stores to be eaten as is. I have not yet been able to find primary sources on this, though. Are they aware of this at all?

ChickenChomper

liquorice candy. why??!! :(- :(- lol

Deviancy

Why is there such a generational gap in candy consumption? My whole lift adults have been fretting about what or how much candy kids eat. Now that I’m an adult I just rarely even want it. Do our tastes just change or our circumstances? Are kids just simple sugar loving zombies or are adults just party poopers who forgot what it feels like to experience simple joy?

Mouse Paxton

What is the oldest candy we know of? Does anyone still make it? What is the most elaborate candy making process? Do you have a favourite candy? Least favourite? Why is there such a difference in sweetness levels in candies from different parts of the world? I'm half Chinese and a lot of the Asian sweets I've had are far less sugary than North American candy.

Han the Bee

Tell me more about Marzipan - I LOVE IT, but I know its a very polarizing sweet. Part of the fun is that it comes in such cute little shapes and designs. What is the origin of sculpting Marzipan - was it considered very fancy?

ValBeListening

How has candy advertising to children shifted in the past 40 years? Are there any rules and regulations nowadays?

ValBeListening

I'm super curious about animal and insect products in candy. When did candy makers start adding gelatin to gummy treats? Who came up with the idea to add shellac or cochineal bugs to candy? Is there a shift to make candy more veg-friendly?

Ryan Ketchum

What’s the story with Lifesavers? Is the hole there to actually keep you breathing when you got candy-in-the-craw?

Ryan Ketchum

I love love love black licorice! But many of my fellow humans do not. What’s the earliest known origin of this devisive delight? And what the hell is *red licorice?! It’s not even a distant shirt-tail cousin of the OG in my opinion…

Jacob Morvay

Why does all commercially made chocolate in the US suck so much? What you can get in Europe is so much better.

GhoulNextDoor

What are some candies that are no longer made or rarely found that were once super popular? Why did they fall out of fashion?

GhoulNextDoor

Do different generations have different candy preferences generally? My grandmother loves circus peanuts but I find even the thought of them somewhat nauseating. Does nostalgia play a part in those preferences?

GhoulNextDoor

What does the future of candy look like? What popular candies now seem most likely to fall out of fashion in the next generation or two?

Bahdi_Phat

Is there one candy style that seems to be worldwide? For example, is "taffy" a global thing?

Thomas Payne

We are all likely familiar with candies that taste sweet, sour, bitter or salty, and in combinations thereof, but are there any umami candies?

Thomas Payne

What role does childhood taste imprinting have on candy preferences later in life? How can it be that Mexicans of all generations, for example, savor sweet, sour, fruity hot spicy confections? Or Scandinavians who favor ammonium salty bitter liquorices.

Thomas Payne

Could sweet pickles or chutneys be considered candies?

Jalene Tangen

In your opinion, have you ever tasted a candy that’s “to die for”? Like so mind blowing and delicious a part of you momentarily dies and goes to heaven while you consume its goodness?

Kelly Shaver

Why does my hard candy turn brown when I add the citric acid??

Kelly Shaver

What is the first record of humans making candy?

Kelly Shaver

My 3 year old niece wants to know why some colored candy makes your mouth change color and some candy doesn't?

Kelly Shaver

Why do jolly ranchers get stuck to your teeth and pull out fillings and things like that?

Kelly Tracy

When did candy become associated with children and childishness?

Kelly Tracy

Why does candy with a strong mint flavor (looking at you, Altoids) make some people (me) sneeze?

Olivia Lester

Do any species in the animal kingdom have “candy?”

Jesse Masci

Is it true that refined sugar is the only cause of dental cavities?

Coloradokeith

First timer here. What candy by weight is the most consumed every year? Does the answer change much over time?

Coloradokeith

If Allie was on the less sweet - more sweet scale, would she break the glass end for soooo sweet?

Allie Brown

What’s the most dangerous additive we used to put in candy? I’m sure we did lead or something back in the day!

Laura Fitzgerald

Where is the oldest continually running candy shop in the U.S.? In the world? Why are those videos of people pulling, pouring, and forming sugar to make things like ribbon candy and candy canes so dang cool?! What do the stats look like for overall candy consumption throughout the world? Are areas like the US and the UK eating way more candy than other parts of the world?

Smiley Kylie (she/her)

I know a lot of candy contains palm oil, which destroys orangutans (and I’m sure others) habitat, and/or sugar that’s been harvested unethically. I’m curious on how we can enjoy candy sustainably? Thanks so much 💕

Scott Hanley

Spearmint leaf sugar coated gummies. I had these as a kid in the 1970s and enjoyed the subtle mint flavor, now I bought some from a company called Nice Candy sold at a Walgreens and the flavor is sharp like a breath mint. Yuk.

Jessie Crawford

What was considered human's first candy? I've heard that we are all so addicted to sweets due to our evolutionary biology and need for calorie dense foods, especially in times of food insecurity. Do you think we will always be hardwired to enjoy sugar so much, or will we ever "evolve" out of it now that we aren't in survival mode as a species.

Elie Zwiebel

Is there any way for me to eat my beloved milk duds without destroying my already filling-and-crown-filled dental disaster that people call my "smile"?