Food History

Candy Corn History & Origins

All About the Iconic Halloween Candy.

If there is one candy that can represent Halloween, that would almost certainly be the candy corn. Read about the candy corn history, its original name, and when it became popular.

 

Candy Corn History & Origins

Candy corn was first invented in the 1880s by George Menninger of the Wunderlee Candy Company, but back then it had a different name that suited the times, “Chicken Feed.” More than half of the American labor force in this era worked on farms, so candy companies created candies in the shapes of vegetables.

After providing itself in the market, the Goelitz Candy Company (now known as the Jelly Belly Candy Company) also began manufacturing “Chicken Feed” in 1898. After World War I, corn became more recognized as food for people and not just pigs and chickens. So in the 1920s, the “Chicken Feed” candy renamed itself to “Candy Corn.”

As it was not made by automated machinery at that time, the candy was only made seasonally from late August through fall. Today, thanks to machinery, candy corn variations are also made for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter.


Sign up for my newsletter on the sidebar for blog updates and my travel insider tips! And, check out my vlogs on YouTube!

Angela

Share
Published by
Angela

Recent Posts

Pita History: Origins of the World’s Oldest Bread

A Brief Bread History. Pita is one of the world’s most popular breads with a…

17 hours ago

Garlic Bread History – From Ancient Rome to the Americas

From Olive Oil & Garlic to Garlic Butter. Garlic Bread is a favorite in any…

3 days ago

Champorado History: Origins of the Chocolate Rice Pudding

All About the Filipino Champorado. Champorado is the famous Filipino breakfast dish that’s a favorite…

1 week ago

Tavern-Style Pizza History

All About the Bar Pizza. Beer in one hand, pizza in the other. The perfect…

1 week ago

Tapas History: A Timeline of All the Theories

Originally posted October 20, 2022 Reposted May 3, 2022 Tapas Time(line) and More Theories. Tapas…

2 weeks ago

Sundae History

From the Ice Cream Float to the Sundae. Before the sundae was created, ice cream…

2 weeks ago