Why do we love to hate candy corn? A Colorado food scientist weighs in.
Candy corn remains a polarizing seasonal confection, capturing intense debate among trick-or-treaters across the country. Halloween accounts for seventy-five percent of annual candy corn production, yielding nine billion pieces of the tri-colored treat. Invented in the 1880s and originally marketed as chicken feed, the sweet has endured for more than a century and is celebrated on National Candy Corn Day. A Colorado food scientist recently weighed in on the cultural phenomenon of loving to hate the enduring holiday staple.
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- ✓ Halloween accounts for 75 percent of the annual candy corn production, translating to 9 billion pieces.
- ✓ The polarizing treat has been around for more than 100 years and was originally marketed as chicken feed.
- ✓ Candy corn was invented in the 1880s and was not always a Halloween candy staple.
- ✓ Jelly Belly helped market the treat for trick-or-treating on a larger scale.
What changed
A Colorado food scientist provided expert insight into why people love to hate candy corn.
Live updates
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Candy Corn Divides Trick-Or-Treaters Nationwide
Candy corn remains a polarizing seasonal confection, capturing intense debate among trick-or-treaters across the country. Halloween accounts for seventy-five percent of annual candy corn production, yielding nine billion pieces of the tri-colored treat. Invented in the 1880s and originally marketed as chicken feed, the sweet has endured for more than a century and is celebrated on National Candy Corn Day. A Colorado food scientist recently weighed in on the cultural phenomenon of loving to hate the enduring holiday staple.
Why it matters
The tri-colored confection has a long history that predates its strong association with the spooky holiday. Jelly Belly later helped market the treat for trick-or-treating on a larger scale, turning it into a seasonal fixture. Despite drawing frequent criticism from detractors, the candy continues to command massive production numbers annually.
What is confirmed
- Halloween accounts for 75 percent of the annual candy corn production, translating to 9 billion pieces.
- The polarizing treat has been around for more than 100 years and was originally marketed as chicken feed.
- Candy corn was invented in the 1880s and was not always a Halloween candy staple.
- Jelly Belly helped market the treat for trick-or-treating on a larger scale.
Still unconfirmed
- Colorado food scientist analysis specifically explains the underlying reasons behind the public aversion to candy corn.
What to watch next
- Further public commentary or scientific breakdown regarding consumer taste perceptions of candy corn.
- Post-Halloween production and sales data from major manufacturers like Jelly Belly.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (12)
- Colorado Public Radio — Why do we love to hate candy corn? A Colorado food scientist weighs in.
- South Florida Reporter — Halloween Accounts For 75% Of The Annual Candy Corn Production. That's 9 Billion Pieces!
- news8000.com — Candy Corn: Yuck or Yum?
- The Derrick — GREENE COLUMN: Like it or not, candy corn withstands the test of time
- The Linfield Review — National Candy Corn Day
- The Setonian — Candy corn doesn’t deserve the hate
- Bergen Record — For the love of candy corn. For the haters, don't look
- Yahoo — Candy corn divides Halloween trick-or-treaters across state, country
- Fox News — How candy corn became a Halloween tradition, and why Americans still love to hate it
- www.wfmd.com — How candy corn became a Halloween tradition, and why ...
- www.foxnews.com — How candy corn became a Halloween tradition and why Americans ...
- article.wn.com — How candy corn became a Halloween tradition, and why ...
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