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National Candy Day – November 4, 2020

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Wed Nov 4
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What is National Candy Day?

We hope your sweet tooth is ready, because November 4 is National Candy Day. These sweet and sour treats have been our favorite snack since childhood. Whether they’re hard, chewy, fruit flavored, or a “melt in your mouth not in your hand” sort of treat, candy has been a consistent source of happiness and, as we get older, nostalgia. 

National Candy Day History

The story of candy begins in India. Between the 6th and 4th centuries BC, the Persians and Greeks learned that the people in India had, what they called, reeds that make honey without bees. These reeds were actually sugarcane, which is indigenous to Southeast Asia. Ancient Indians would boil sugarcane juice, turning it into individual pieces of sugar, which they called “khanda.”
 
Before sugarcane was domesticated outside of Asia, honey was used in ancient China, the Middle East,  Egypt, Greece, and Rome to coat fruits and flowers, which would preserve them and turn them into a form of candy. Before the Industrial Revolution, candy was used as medicine to either calm the digestive system or cool the throat. In the Middle Ages, candy was mostly consumed by the wealthy and was made of sugar and spices to aid digestive problems, which were very common, as food was neither fresh nor balanced. 
 
Candy first came to America in the 18th century from France and Britain. Very few colonists were skilled in sugar work, meaning only the wealthy were able to enjoy these new treats. In the 1830s, when the Industrial Revolution was in full swing, technological advances allowed candy to be accessible to more than just the rich, including a new market specifically for children. While some artisan sugar workers remained, candy stores were becoming an American staple, especially in the lives of children across the country. Penny candy became the first thing a child would spend their money on, and candy store owners relied mostly on the business of children and families to keep them running. 

National Candy Day timeline

1817

Butterscotch

In a town called Doncaster in Yorkshire, England, a man named Samuel Parkinson began making butterscotch as a hard candy.

1883

Saltwater taffy

New Jersey shop owner David Bradley's candy store flooded due to a major storm. Because of this storm, he began calling his taffy "saltwater taffy."

1941

M&M's

M&M's were invented by Forrest Mars, who got the idea by watching soldiers eating chocolate pellets with a hard shell during the Spanish Civil War. The chocolates had hard shells so the soldiers could carry them during warm weather. 

1960

Starburst

Starburst candies were invented in the UK by Peter Phillips and were originally called Opal Fruits.

National Candy Day FAQs

Which holiday has the highest candy sales?

Halloween pulls in the most candy sales over any other holiday, as people load up on bags of sweets to pass out to eager trick-or-treaters.

When is National Candy Month?

National Candy Month occurs in June to celebrate over 100 years of candy and the impact its had on all of our lives. 

What is the most popular candy in the U.S?

Though the preferred candy tends to differ depending on the state, the two highest selling candies in the United States are M&M’s and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

National Candy Day Activities

  1. Buy candy for a friend

    Give sweets to be sweet! Nothing says "Have a great day" better than a box of colorful candy.

  2. Make your own

    How about making your own candy for a change? Candy is made by boiling sugar in water or milk until it starts to caramelize. Find a recipe that strikes your interest and make it at home!

  3. Try something new

    We all have our go-to candies, but next time you're at the shop, try the candy you always look at but never actually pick up. It might be a new favorite.

Why We Love National Candy Day

  1. It's delicious

    If you've never had a king-sized Kit Kat bar or pack of Sour Patch Kids, then you haven't lived. Candy is great. End of story.

  2. Childhood nostalgia

    From crushing piñatas at birthday parties, to passing out Hershey's Kisses for Valentine's day, candy was a big part of our childhoods. No matter how much we grow, candy will always bring back those special memories.

  3. It's improves your mood

    Happy? Sad? It doesn't matter! Candy is used by many people as a way to boost happiness. It has a natural knack for lifting our moods.

National Candy Day dates

YearDateDay
2020November 4Wednesday
2021November 4Thursday
2022November 4Friday
2023November 4Saturday
2024November 4Monday