How Candy Corn Became a Halloween Staple

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  • Опубликовано: 17 окт 2024
  • Candy corn is a divisive Halloween treat. Some like it, others absolutely hate it. Where do you stand?
    The history of candy corn takes us on a fascinating journey, including a detour through the invention of corn syrup, all the way to the origins of trick-or-treating. How did this simple novelty treat become associated so heavily with October?
    Food History is a series from Mental Floss where we dive deep into the culinary stories that lead to the food on our plates. If you have an idea for a dish, cooking technique, or cuisine that you’d like us to explore in a future episode, tell us in the comments.
    And for the origins of many other foods, check out our episode of the List Show / @mentalfloss
    Website: www.mentalfloss...
    Twitter: / mental_floss
    Facebook: / mentalflossmagazine

Комментарии • 205

  • @Urspo
    @Urspo 4 года назад +37

    Candy corn ! The devil’s earwax. Halloween isn’t so without some 🎃

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +10

      This is correct and supported by the historical record.

  • @jacobdrj101
    @jacobdrj101 4 года назад +27

    I love candy corn... I can't stop eating it...

  • @nastybedazzler
    @nastybedazzler 4 года назад +10

    I never knew people hated candy corn this way. I've always really liked it. I mean, I haven't had it in like ten years, but I had no problem with it.

  • @RaytheonNublinski
    @RaytheonNublinski 4 года назад +24

    The government created a surplus of candy corn in 1937 and we’ve been eating from that stash ever since. Some say we have only 3 millennium left til no more candy corn for anyone.

    • @matthewdrummond1340
      @matthewdrummond1340 4 года назад +3

      🤣

    • @yveslafrance2806
      @yveslafrance2806 4 года назад +2

      Somebody’s been listening to Lewis Black
      « They wash it, they wash it! »

    • @RaytheonNublinski
      @RaytheonNublinski 4 года назад +2

      @@yveslafrance2806 Yea that’s it! I knew I heard it somewhere but couldn’t place it. Haha. Thanks

    • @JM_HUh
      @JM_HUh 2 года назад +1

      🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  • @Shizukanexen
    @Shizukanexen 4 года назад +12

    I love Candycorn. People can fight me.

    • @JM_HUh
      @JM_HUh 2 года назад +2

      We can jump the haters!!! 😂

  • @BallotBoxer
    @BallotBoxer 4 года назад +13

    *Pro tip:* combine candy corn with peanuts for something not unlike a PayDay candy bar.

  • @laexploradoraaaXD
    @laexploradoraaaXD 4 года назад +7

    Heroes was one of those shows affected by the writer's strike (2007).

  • @TheAyeAye1
    @TheAyeAye1 4 года назад +3

    It's great for making candy vampire fangs.

  • @Miss_Kisa94
    @Miss_Kisa94 4 года назад +17

    😂 I like candy corn me and my sister would fight over them for Halloween

    • @alexandracomus755
      @alexandracomus755 4 года назад

      Is your enjoyment of candy corn based on the actual flavor, or is it more of a color-paraphalia-type thing?

    • @Miss_Kisa94
      @Miss_Kisa94 4 года назад

      @@alexandracomus755 I'd say a mix between flavor and texture. I always like those soft pillow mints or some people call them butter mints but its very similar to candy corn.

  • @joewilson3393
    @joewilson3393 4 года назад +8

    No honorable mention for the frequent Candy Corn companion, the Mallow Pumpkin?

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      Alas, no. But I *will* now be asking people to refer to me as "the frequent candy corn companion."

    • @biancabrooks280
      @biancabrooks280 4 года назад

      I love Mellocreme Pumpkins!! Those and around Easter I get the Mellocreme Peas and Carrots 🥕

    • @m.jewell9107
      @m.jewell9107 4 года назад

      @@MentalFloss I love the Mellocreme Pumpkins also, but nowadays it seems they are all orange-flavored. they were better as vanilla, like candy corn.

  • @ConradSpoke
    @ConradSpoke 4 года назад +12

    You kept using words like "eat" and "ate," as though candy corn should be placed into the mouth, chewed, and swallowed.
    This implies that candy corn is a food product.
    ???
    This makes no sense. Please clarify.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +5

      😂Sorry-probably some kind of translation error on our part.

  • @coejbee
    @coejbee 2 года назад +2

    I absolutely love candy corn so much, it’s a good day every year when it hits the shelves and I first see it. Munching on some now, watching this cause I feel like the only person who actually loves it.

  • @Lolalogo
    @Lolalogo 4 года назад +6

    This almost makes me want to buy candy corn

  • @m.jewell9107
    @m.jewell9107 4 года назад +3

    The reason it was originally called 'Chicken Feed' was its low price. Things that didn't cost much were referred to as Chicken Feed. Candy corn was sold in the general stores as 'penny candy', the candy loved by kids because you got so much for just a penny or two. Penny candy was usually very simple sugar-based sweets(non chocolate), nothing complicated or 'fancy' but as a kid you could get sick on 5 cents' worth of it-it was a lot of candy!

  • @CaptainPIanet
    @CaptainPIanet 4 года назад +84

    "Candy corn is a pretty decent candy" gang where you at?

    • @matthewdrummond1340
      @matthewdrummond1340 4 года назад +4

      I can get on the pretty decent candy bandwagon. It's not my favourite but I don't think it's horrible.

    • @Gaia_Gaistar
      @Gaia_Gaistar 4 года назад +4

      I actually like it pretty well, I usually buy a bag every October and eat on it over the month.

    • @unclemetal8774
      @unclemetal8774 4 года назад

      I'm also a fan of necco wafers.

    • @anujshah9335
      @anujshah9335 4 года назад +1

      I love the stuff

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      @@unclemetal8774 Now you've lost us.

  • @GLHS592
    @GLHS592 4 года назад +9

    Even though I love candy corn, I doubt it is anyone’s favorite candy. However, we can all agree it’s way better than that crap that comes in the orange and black wrappers.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +3

      I think I may have blocked those things from my memory until you mentioned them.

    • @jennaargo7356
      @jennaargo7356 3 года назад

      Peanut butter kisses 🤢

    • @jessabelvin1697
      @jessabelvin1697 3 года назад

      GLHS592 Candy corn is my favorite candy of all time

  • @terrafirma5327
    @terrafirma5327 4 года назад +9

    Also about that Heroes reference, the reason it went off the rails after season 1 is because they intended to have a new cast of characters every season. However, the network said the characters were too popular and insisted that they keep them. So they had to quickly write a story with the existing characters.
    I did like the show despite it all :)

    • @spmil999
      @spmil999 4 года назад

      Wait. That's all the reference was about? It wasn't some secret reference to trying something with chickens first before trying it on humans?

    • @terrafirma5327
      @terrafirma5327 4 года назад +1

      @@spmil999 There is a quote from there "Save the cheerleader, save the world."
      That was the reference in particular.

    • @gifrancis
      @gifrancis 4 года назад +1

      @@terrafirma5327 "Save the cheerleader, save the world."
      Wow, thanks. I was really struggling... :)

  • @talideon
    @talideon 4 года назад +4

    As pronunciations of 'samhain' go from Americans, it wasn't _quite_ right (incorrect vowel in the first syllable), but close enough. Nicely done! Good to see somebody put in the effort!

  • @elementalturnip
    @elementalturnip 4 года назад +6

    Wait, so candy corn could have been candy turnips? Another almost win for us root vegetables.

  • @Real3doPlayer
    @Real3doPlayer 4 года назад +6

    I love candy corn, it is my favorite Halloween candy. Come at me

  • @sophiescott143
    @sophiescott143 4 года назад +4

    I hate candy corn so much. But if you put a bowl of it in front of me I will eat the whole damn thing.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +2

      Hahahah on second thought, this is the only correct opinion.

  • @Gaia_Gaistar
    @Gaia_Gaistar 4 года назад +3

    I actually love candy corn.

  • @mjinhamburg
    @mjinhamburg 2 года назад +1

    I've never had it, I'm British, in fact I assumed it was some kind of candied corn. Thank you for setting me right!

  • @Penguin_Tree
    @Penguin_Tree 4 года назад +4

    candy corn is good. Also eat it one color at a time

  • @JM_HUh
    @JM_HUh 2 года назад +1

    So many ppl hate them & I loveeeee them!! Lol

  • @cindystrachan8566
    @cindystrachan8566 3 года назад +1

    Did anyone else use the kernels the make vampire fangs? Half the fun of eating it.

  • @KooblyK
    @KooblyK 4 года назад +2

    Candy corns being made with corn syrup in cornstarch moulds? Man, they really know how to stick to a brand

  • @yogabear7140
    @yogabear7140 2 года назад

    Interesting info! I love candy corn, it’s always the first Halloween candy I buy every year.

  • @christinegengaro8931
    @christinegengaro8931 3 года назад

    I love candy corn, but I limit myself to one bag in October. I adore the description of it near the end of the video-warm vanilla notes. Yes! Exactly.

  • @Imjakejones2322
    @Imjakejones2322 4 года назад +1

    Bro I love candy corn. Your bravery has inspired me

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +1

      Not all heroes wear capes *(he typed out, wearing an oversized cape emblazoned with whimsical candy corns on it)*.

    • @Imjakejones2322
      @Imjakejones2322 4 года назад

      @@MentalFloss wear your cape! It makes others feel good! You are a massive help to the world. Never stop

  • @XmorganlamiaX
    @XmorganlamiaX 4 года назад +1

    I've never tried candy corn. It's never been a "thing" here in the UK, so people mostly only know it from seeing it in US movies and tv shows. You can only really buy it from dedicated US candy import sites. Amazon has some too, but that's just random retailers importing it from the US, like the dedicated sites do.

  • @biancabrooks280
    @biancabrooks280 4 года назад +2

    Yo, if there was a candy corn kernel that big, I’d eat it.

    • @AwesomeJohn117
      @AwesomeJohn117 4 года назад

      ruclips.net/video/2qAtsn9NpFo/видео.html

  • @Welsh7133
    @Welsh7133 9 дней назад

    Candy corns are my favorite candy, also probably the reason Halloween la been my favorite holiday

  • @Mrenderboyo
    @Mrenderboyo 2 года назад +1

    About the flavors, the only color that is any different is white because its slightly less chewy then the orange and yellow

  • @sylvieficco1320
    @sylvieficco1320 4 года назад

    I like candy corn. I also love the little candy corn pumpkins

  • @mattakudesu
    @mattakudesu 4 года назад +13

    I've always liked candy corn, but it isn't exactly a favorite. Eating too many pieces at one time makes the chemical taste really apparent. My favorite candies are gummi bears/worms, almost any kind of really sour candy, and for some reason, Runts.

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад +5

      Runts just don't taste the same when they're not coming out of that absolutely filthy machine that dispenses a handful for 25 cents.

    • @mattakudesu
      @mattakudesu 4 года назад

      @@MentalFloss This made me laugh way harder than it should have.

    • @sogghartha
      @sogghartha 4 года назад

      pray tell, what does something non-chemical taste like?

    • @mattakudesu
      @mattakudesu 4 года назад +1

      @@sogghartha By "chemical taste" I mean the bitter taste from chemicals that do not taste like food typically tastes. Sure, food and medication are both chemicals, but you generally don't chomp down on an asprin like you would a skittle because the taste of the pill isnt meant to be appetizing. The unappetizing flavor I taste from candy corn after eating too many is the food coloring, I believe.

  • @ashcatchum
    @ashcatchum 4 года назад +3

    I’ve loved candy corn since I was a little girl. It’s soft sugar what could go wrong?

  • @Plantbliss
    @Plantbliss 2 года назад

    Heroes! That show ended with the worst cliffhanger then never came back😣. The characters have been buried for like 20 years! I kinda like candy corn, at least the first three pieces I eat every year…

  • @donnaspears2253
    @donnaspears2253 2 года назад

    I love candy corn. I buy it all year round if I can❤️

  • @mikeroni
    @mikeroni 4 года назад +2

    I always find it funny that people seem to hate candy corn but most enjoy cream soda. Bruh a cream soda literally tastes like liquid candy corn

  • @skrys2236
    @skrys2236 4 года назад

    I love the pumpkins that are made out of the same stuff

  • @alexanders2228
    @alexanders2228 4 года назад +15

    Me: *watching a video about candy corn*
    Also me: *has never tried candy corn*

    • @joewilson3393
      @joewilson3393 4 года назад +1

      This is the time to try it, when it is still soft and fresh.

    • @CyrisDarkness
      @CyrisDarkness 4 года назад +2

      @@joewilson3393 As long as you have access to it, I'm from Europe and have never seen it in real life.

    • @firstcynic92
      @firstcynic92 4 года назад

      Don't.

    • @chipkosboth3233
      @chipkosboth3233 4 года назад +1

      DON'T! just- don't.

    • @KattReen
      @KattReen 4 года назад

      The only sweet american traditions worth their name are pies(ie mud pie) imo.
      American sweets are pretty trash in general from a european perspective. Lots of decent textures, but virtually no good flavours. Almost everything tastes like either drinking syrup directly from the bottle, or like eating spoonfuls of sugar right out of the bag. They have a few things that are atleast edible in small amounts, like snickers.

  • @illiteratemochi4150
    @illiteratemochi4150 4 года назад +1

    I like candy corn but only in very small quantities before I get sugared-out

  • @katz86
    @katz86 4 года назад +2

    I like candy corn its yummy

  • @frostyfalcon
    @frostyfalcon 4 года назад

    I love the board game collection.

  • @lilyseven5769
    @lilyseven5769 4 года назад

    I LOVE candy corn and always have

  • @missheadbanger
    @missheadbanger 4 года назад +1

    I like candy corn, I haven't had her in a while though.

  • @sixtylimes
    @sixtylimes 4 года назад +5

    candy corn is like the edges of icing on a cake that get kinda crusty & firm but soft & creamy like fudge yoooommmmmmmmm

  • @rivlesbeware
    @rivlesbeware 4 года назад

    I liked candy corn as a kid and the pumpkins.

  • @maylien
    @maylien 4 года назад +1

    Depends on the brand. Cheap brands used corn syrup. Good brands use honey.

  • @gearmonkey
    @gearmonkey 4 года назад +1

    I frickin love candy corn. come at me

  • @WavingWorld
    @WavingWorld 3 года назад +1

    You get a like for a flippant "Heroes" reference.

  • @shuu4869
    @shuu4869 4 года назад +1

    I like candy corn but i can only eat like 10 before im done

  • @TroyBrophy
    @TroyBrophy 4 года назад

    I don't seek out candy corn, but if you place a bowl of candy corn before me I will consume it all.

  • @comment.highlighted
    @comment.highlighted 4 года назад +2

    I like candy corn 🙂

  • @navret1707
    @navret1707 4 года назад +9

    I can eat those things until I got sick. Btw, I am NOT a kid.

  • @Amy_The_unbearded
    @Amy_The_unbearded 2 года назад +1

    ...eating candy corn as I watch this...

  • @rawrm247
    @rawrm247 4 года назад

    Candy corn is amazing 🎃

  • @BenRollinsActor
    @BenRollinsActor 4 года назад

    I'm actually a HUGE fan of candy corn.

  • @felsenaxt6237
    @felsenaxt6237 3 года назад

    I always buy candy corn in bulk in October. I have to lay away enough of a horde to last me through the year.

  • @terrafirma5327
    @terrafirma5327 4 года назад +4

    What qualities of candy corn do people dislike? I am curious because I enjoy it and it tastes to me like something more people would enjoy.
    I do get nauseous pretty quickly eating it though, so it's best in small amounts.

    • @JackRR15
      @JackRR15 4 года назад +1

      Same lol, one of my favorite candy.

    • @terrafirma5327
      @terrafirma5327 4 года назад

      @@JackRR15 *eagerly awaits a hater to tell us why*

    • @sophykitten2212
      @sophykitten2212 4 года назад

      I think part of it is just the "its cool to hate candy corn" crowd, since that's become a running joke.
      It's also very easy to see how anyone not too fond of sweet flavors wouldn't like it. I've never been able to describe the flavor, but the video's "fondant, marshmallow, and vanilla notes" seems right. Those are all essentially cake ingredients instilled in a very tiny package and the effect can seem like a sugar bomb to those that just pick up "sweet."

    • @terrafirma5327
      @terrafirma5327 4 года назад

      @@sophykitten2212 Ya know what? That makes a lot of sense. I also would imagine anyone with a cavity or exposed nerve would definitely feel a painful hit from these as well.

  • @charlesmangum3108
    @charlesmangum3108 4 года назад

    My wife and I love candy corn.

  • @CaptainPIanet
    @CaptainPIanet 4 года назад +10

    Chocolate candy corn is actually terrible though. Just like chocolate laffy taffy.

  • @kandipiatkowski8589
    @kandipiatkowski8589 Год назад

    I like candy corn as well. I usually buy at least one bag a year and eat it myself. If any else in the house wants some...they have to get their own bag.....🤣🤣🤣

  • @Luna3141592
    @Luna3141592 3 года назад

    good pronunciation of "samhain!!"

  • @chipkosboth3233
    @chipkosboth3233 4 года назад +1

    Always thought of them as zombie teeth with the gastronomic appeal of the same

  • @leveretth
    @leveretth 4 года назад +2

    Candy corn. I can take it or leave it. NECCO Wafers on the other hand? Chalk. Lotta fun to shoot out of a slingshot though cuz it makes a cool sound.

  • @TheBusyJane
    @TheBusyJane 4 года назад +2

    I actually like candy corn. As a vegetarian, my Halloween is not the same since finding out it has gelatine. The vegan one is not as good.

  • @tryingagain1960
    @tryingagain1960 3 года назад

    I like it

  • @Hunter-nr5iu
    @Hunter-nr5iu 4 года назад +1

    Vote!

  • @alexanders2228
    @alexanders2228 4 года назад +1

    Candy corn

  • @itsastrocat4158
    @itsastrocat4158 4 года назад

    GIMME THAT CANDY CORN

  • @brittanydixon1996
    @brittanydixon1996 2 года назад

    I love candy corn, I love it a bit too much. It's my favorite candy. We don't have seasons in Florida (well we do, but not like northerners do), so candy corn is fall for me. I know there's pumpkin spice, but that only became a thing when I was a teenager (I was born in 1996), meanwhile I grew up with candy corn. I've been surprised by the backlash in recent years. I love to stuff a handful in my mouth, savor it by chewing it until it becomes a liquid before swallowing it, letting the juices drip down my chin. Whenever I have the telltale orange-yellow stains on my shirt, people are always like "Brittany got into the candy corn again". In fact, my parents always hide some from me so that I don't eat so much I get a stomachache.

  • @kirbyrules55
    @kirbyrules55 4 года назад

    The pumpkin mellowcreme are where it is at. Taste decently better than good ole candy corn.

  • @Omniscient87
    @Omniscient87 3 года назад

    "Geolitz, known today as Jelly Belly" I can't imagine why they would change their name. :p

  • @thedeetzes
    @thedeetzes 4 года назад

    I like candy corn toooooo

  • @elizabetha.188
    @elizabetha.188 4 года назад

    I love candy corn- in October only. It's just a seasonal treat.

  • @ritacastagna
    @ritacastagna 4 года назад +1

    i've been eating candy corn for 6 weeks not realizing it was not vegetarian. thank you for including that info, but also i am shocked and upset and will need time to process

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  4 года назад

      Haha oh no! But I'm glad we tipped you off. Also, an absolute flex announcing that you have been eating candy corn for SIX WEEKS?! This is the lifestyle I aspire to.

  • @MechWomanWarrior15
    @MechWomanWarrior15 4 года назад +4

    It's ok, especially when eaten with nuts.

    • @spmil999
      @spmil999 4 года назад

      It essentially turns into butterfinger's inside deliciousness when you mix the two in your mouth!

  • @yelir64
    @yelir64 4 года назад +2

    candy corn is ok

  • @johnutsler1517
    @johnutsler1517 4 года назад +2

    I'm thinking we need to find a way to use candy corn to make fruitcake. 2020 seems like the perfect year for inventing such an abomination!

  • @theunboundpixel
    @theunboundpixel 4 года назад +5

    Can't wait until the Peeps episode in April 😂

  • @nettlescats3796
    @nettlescats3796 4 года назад +1

    Sooooooo...you didn't mention honey. My daughter's allergic to honey and that's how we found out. At least Brach's has honey.

  • @kittiekat1236
    @kittiekat1236 4 года назад

    I don’t mind candy corn, as long as I’m not eating any other candy at the time.

  • @Erichev
    @Erichev 3 года назад +1

    I thought Peeps were the most hated. (40 seconds in)

  • @soba4kii
    @soba4kii 4 года назад

    Hello. My name is Vadim. There’s many videos on your RUclips channel and i wanted to ask your permission translate those videos for russian audience because we don’t have such analogue. I’m very interested in this topic and I just need your permission so all rights (RUclips politics) will be reserved. I guarantee high quality of my work, as well as all original sources will be listed in description below my video (links for your channel). If you have any conditions I will accept them gratefully. Thank you for your attention!

  • @danielm.1441
    @danielm.1441 4 года назад +2

    *stares in horrified British*

  • @erictaylor5462
    @erictaylor5462 4 года назад

    Even as a kid I gave all my candy corn to my mother, who loved it. Me, not so much.

    • @unclemetal8774
      @unclemetal8774 4 года назад

      I like necco wafers. Does that mean I like chalk?

  • @mikececconi2677
    @mikececconi2677 4 года назад

    It is a wonderful autumnal accent to one's holiday decor. It is, however, not food.

  • @nobodyuknow6337
    @nobodyuknow6337 4 года назад

    I have often wondered what saved the 4th of July from the candy and toy companies.

  • @Iconoclasher
    @Iconoclasher 3 года назад +2

    I don't trust any candy that looks like a freshly pulled tooth. 😁

    • @MentalFloss
      @MentalFloss  3 года назад +1

      We can support this policy.

  • @andreadiamond7115
    @andreadiamond7115 4 года назад

    ❤️

  • @Studio23Media
    @Studio23Media 4 года назад

    Mix candy corn with peanuts. Sooo much better together. I used to love candy corn when I was younger, but it's too sweet for me now.

  • @joshuawatson9469
    @joshuawatson9469 4 года назад

    Knowing it's made with fondant helps explain why I hate candy corn so much. Fondant is terrible

  • @thomasrogers8239
    @thomasrogers8239 4 года назад

    "There are no mistakes in history"
    Candy corn enters room.
    "Except you."

  • @jeanku
    @jeanku 4 года назад +1

    Candy corn Is the shitttttt

  • @mystic_tacos
    @mystic_tacos 4 года назад

    I actually like candy corn

  • @silentfox139
    @silentfox139 4 года назад

    Candy corn is not bad. It’s not something I crave

  • @LeadenMarshmallow
    @LeadenMarshmallow 2 года назад

    I mean isn't honey something an insect secreted as well?

  • @comradestinger
    @comradestinger 4 года назад

    **Mouth feel**