[DINNER PARTY]
Ever wonder how this delicious Christmas tree ornament/snack came to be? Jazz has answers
Welcome to chef/lifestyle expert Jazz Smollett’s new column, Dinner Party, a corner of UpRising to ponder all things food and culinary culture. Hope you’ve got an appetite!
The holidays are a very busy time in my home and with my family. We celebrate Christmas, but my dad was Jewish so we also celebrate Chanukah. Additionally we celebrate Kwanzaa. In the beginning of December, we start our Christmas traditions. It is always a special time for my daughter, who loves decorating the tree. Her favorite ornaments by far are the candy canes. Last week’s request: “Mommy please can you buy the candy canes while I’m in school today.” Like many of us, Nylah loves the charming shape and the red and white stripes that bring us into the Christmas spirit. But most of all, she’s excited to eat them throughout the month.
My daughter is not alone in her love of this sweet nostalgic treat. The No. 1 selling non-chocolate candy during the month of December is none other than the candy cane. Over 1.76 billion of these peppermint delights are produced in the U.S. every year. Have you ever wondered the origin of these sweets?
The history of candy canes is a bit shrouded in mystery, but one theory is that this treat began during the 17th century in Europe when pulled sugar was very popular. The story goes that a choirmaster in Germany gave pulled sugar sticks to his young singers to keep them quiet during an important church ceremony. To appease the church board—which was not fond of candy being passed out at such a serious religious ceremony—he bent the pulled sugar into a cane to look like a shepherd’s rod, paying homage to the occasion. Other historians have said that the Germans added the cane shape simply to hang them from christmas trees with other treats and ornaments.
If you are inspired to take your candy cane knowledge a little further, there are many candy shops around the country that still make them by hand with pulled sugar. Some locations even have candy cane making demonstrations. Such a fun family activity.
Happy holidays to everyone!
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