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

Ramen History of Japan’s Famous Noodle Soup

Slurping up the Strands & Theories of Ramen History. Ramen is undoubtedly one of Japan’s…

3 days ago

Silog History: Looking Back at the Famous Filipino Breakfast

In Search of Silog’s Origin Story. Silog is a must-have dish when in the Philippines.…

5 days ago

Poke History: From the Ocean to the Islands to the Mainland

Origins and Variations of Poke. In recent years, poke and poke bowls have been so…

1 week ago

Sinigang History: The Unofficial National Dish of the Philippines?

Everyday Comfort Food for All Occasions. While the world may know of adobo or lumpiang…

2 weeks ago

Parker House Rolls History: The Unintentional Creation of America’s Dinner Roll

Kind of on purpose, but also kind of an accident. Parker House Rolls are dubbed…

2 weeks ago

Pepperoni History: Origins & Timeline

A Timeline of Pepperoni History. Pepperoni is truly an iconic American food as it is…

3 weeks ago