Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Christmas Candy Cane

If you automatically think of candy cane you imagine the red and white striped candy that is shaped like a shepherd's crook. This is the traditional Christmas market, candy canes, but as we know it, Candy Cane undergone some changes since it was first used at this time of year.


The tradition of Christmas candy cane market is said to have begun around 1670 as a choir director had made some candy for the kids to his Christmas parties. It was during this time to decorate for the people of Europe, their Christmas trees with edible arrangements usual. Often, cookies and other sweets hung on the branches. One of the tidbits that were frequently used, a straight white sticks of candy.

The Cologne Cathedral had live Nativity pageants every year as part of their Christmas celebration. In 1670, the choir director decided that an experience for the children in the presence of the living nativity play scene, he wanted out of candy canes. He decided that instead of straight sticks that were popular at the time that he would have the confectioner, take candy in the form of a shepherd's crook. Needless to say, the uniquely shaped treats were a hit with all men and before long the practice to give these treats to children in the living nativity play scene was adopted throughout Europe.


It lasted until 1880, Christmas candy cane on his way to America to find. The sweet treat was an instant success, but it was not the red and white striped confection you imagination. Before 1900, it was Candy Cane made of pure white. Candy at this point in history was not with peppermint flavor.


The peppermint flavor and the red and white decorations, not to begin until the twentieth century. There are stories that say the Old Testament hyssop was used during purification and sacrifice. So when it was decided to recall that the candy into something that the people of the sacrifice that Christ was the peppermint candies are flavored with hyssop would would be developed. The red stripes were on the goodies in the position, the blood of Jesus and His love for mankind symbolizes bold. The white was a symbol of pure virgin birth of the king. The three thinner red stripes symbolize the Holy Trinity.