Candy Cane

While the story of Santa Claus may exist only in imagination, the history and enchanting magic of Christmas legends often hide many truths. Such is the case with Candy Cane, the popular cane-shaped sweet, which is believed to have been made and distributed to children by Santa. But what is its true origin? Today, Rimping Supermarket invites you to discover the story behind this festive treat.

History of Candy Cane

According to legend, the Candy Cane dates back to 1670 when a choirmaster in Germany requested a local confectioner to bend plain white sugar and peppermint sticks into a cane shape. These were then given to children singing in the choir during the Living Crèche ceremony held at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The cane-shaped symbol was created to commemorate the shepherd's crook, one of the oldest professions and a vital part of the European economy in the past.

From All White to a Symbol of Faith

Historically, Candy Canes were all white, not striped red and white or red and green as we see today, and they did not have any Peppermint flavor. It wasn't until the early 1900s that red rose sugar was added to make them more decorative and visually appealing.

• It is also believed that this cane-shaped candy carries symbolic meanings related to Jesus
• The red stripes on the white candy stick are said to represent His blood and purity.
• When inverted, the candy stick forms the letter J, which stands for Jesus.
• Its hard texture is compared to the strength of the stone used to build churches and cathedrals.

Global Spread and Popularity

The tradition of distributing candy canes by choirmasters during Christmas spread throughout Europe and America. In the United States, people first encountered candy canes when German immigrant August Imgard decorated his Christmas tree at home in Ohio with red-and-white striped candy canes, introducing them to Americans. Subsequently, candy canes became a popular ornament during every Christmas season.

Today, however, the Candy Cane has become a classic symbol of Christmas. While various colors and flavors of this candy are now available, the classic red-and-white striped, peppermint-flavored Candy Cane remains the most popular.