History of Candy
The origin of candy dates back to ancient Egyptians combining fruits, nuts and honey around 2000BC. Sugar candy was invented by Indians about 250AD. Barley sugar, one of the oldest hard candies, was made with barley grains. Aztecs and Mayans prized cocoa beans and were first to drink chocolate. In 1847, Joseph Fry started pressing chocolate into bar molds. In 1866, Fry’s Chocolate Cream was the first mass-produced, widely available candy bar. It featured a flavored fondant center enrobed in plain chocolate. The oldest continuously mass-produced candy in unchanged form is likely NECCO wafer. NECCO appeared in 1901 after merger of several confectionery companies. In 1937, NECCO rolled out Sky Bar. Shane Confectionery is considered America’s oldest candy store.
Candy Evolution
What was the first candy in the world?
Candy’s origins trace to ancient Egyptians combining honey, fruits and nuts. Methods have evolved but the concept remains similar. Fascinating to see lasting love of honey – also used as sweetener around 2000BC. First "candies" were made from honey mixed with fruit or nuts. Sugar candy invented by Indians about 250AD.
Ancient Egyptians used honey to make candy by adding figs, nuts, dates and spices. Candy used in ceremonies for worshiping their gods and goddesses. Around same time, Greeks used honey to make candied fruits, stems and flowers. They discovered how to make syrup out of figs and dates.
Romans and Chinese made barley sugar candies with honey heated or cooked in the oven. Other forms slowly developed in other parts of world. Spread of sugarcane over the next few centuries had major impact especially on confectionary habits of China.
First modern candies made in the 16th century. Sweet manufacturing developed rapidly into an industry during the early 19th century. In 1844, a Dutch man invented the first hard chocolate candy.
19th and 20th Century Candy Bars
Candy bar beginnings trace to 1847 when Fry created the first mass-produced chocolate bar. Soon after, Cadbury and others developed their own versions. In following decades, Nestlé and others pioneered processes and ingredients revolutionizing candy bar production. Most iconic candy bars were created in the late 19th/early 20th century. Nearly all these candy bars remain popular worldwide today.
In 1866, Fry’s Chocolate Cream was the first mass-produced, widely available candy bar. It featured a flavored fondant center enrobed in plain chocolate. Two permanent flavors are original chocolate cream and peppermint cream.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, the No. 1 selling candy brand in the United States, consist of white fudge, milk, or dark chocolate cups filled with peanut butter. They were invented by H.B. Reese after he founded the H.B. Reese Candy Company in 1923.
Oldest Candy Bars
What is the oldest candy bar still made today?
Candy’s origins trace to ancient Egyptians combining honey, fruits and nuts. Methods have evolved but the concept remains similar. Fascinating to see lasting love of honey – also used as sweetener around 2000BC. First "candies" were made from honey mixed with fruit or nuts. Sugar candy invented by Indians about 250AD.