Debunking the Candy Cane Legend

All About Antiques

Jalinda Falen | falen@windstream.net

 

During the Christmas season, most

people that own a computer will get the popular email story about the history

of the candy cane.  The legend goes

as follows:  The “J” shape

represents Jesus, the white part, the virgin birth, the red stripes from Jesus’

scourging or three stripes representing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

etc.  Other legends have it being

used as a secret identification for persecuted Christians in Europe.  While these are great beautiful

illustrations and analogies to teach children or to use on missions, they

simply are not rooted in truth.

 

When the Christmas tree was

popularized in Europe in the 1700’s, decorations consisted of candies and

cookies.  There is a story

circulating in Europe that white candy sticks were given to children in the

Cologne Cathedral in the 1700’s at Christmas to keep them quite during the

living crèche ceremony. The first documented case of white sugar sticks (the

first candy canes) being used on as Christmas tree decorations in America is

attributed to August Imgard of Ohio in 1847.  If you notice, in vintage Christmas postcards and

advertising prior to 1900, you will not see red and white candy canes but you

will see pure white ones.  In the

early 1900’s candy makers began adding color, peppermint and wintergreen

flavorings and the hook shape for easier hanging and packaging.

 

If you go to the National

Confectioners Association website you will read about Bob McCormack of Albany,

Georgia who in the 1920’s began producing candy canes for children, friends and

other shop owners.  The process was

quite laborious as the candy had to be pulled, twisted, bent and cut by

hand.  In the 1950’s Bob’s

brother-in-law, Gregory Kellor, a Catholic Priest, invented a machine that

could mass produce the candy.  Bob’s

candy has been in business a long time but sadly was recently acquired by

Farley’s and Sather’s Candy Corporations and the manufacturing process is now

being done in Mexico and the Albany plant shut down.

 

This simple sweet treat has been

around a long time.  If you would

like to make a nice holiday treat to share with friends and family using candy

canes try this:

 

Melt white chocolate bark in the

microwave according the directions on the packaging.  Crush candy canes and stir into the melted bark.  Pour it out on to a piece of wax paper

or silicone baking sheet or tray. After the treat hardens, break it into pieces and serve or put in pretty

cellophane bags tied up with ribbon. Easy and yummy!  Merry

Christmas and Happy Collecting!

 

Jillinda Falen  has been collecting and selling

antiques for 26 years and is an experienced estate liquidation specialist and

licensed REALTOR.  You may contact

her via the Houston Home Journal or falen@windstream.net

 

HHJ News