There’s really no time in history where confectionary hasn’t made an appearance. This sweet treat has taken many forms over the centuries and has always been a fixture in diets for many civilizations. From a basic treat sweetened with honey to more complicated recipes—many of which are still enjoyed today—the type of candy available has definitely evolved. In the following, we’ll unpack a little more about the history of confectionary.
In the beginning
Honey was the primary natural sweetener adopted by candy makers in ancient times. In fact, one of the first confectionaries was produced by simply boiling honey until it became a solid. A variation developed by the first inhabitants of Greece added sesame seeds to honey. This sweet was called pasteli and can still be bought today. Early Egyptians went a step further by combining honey with dates, figs, fruits, nuts, and spices. A fascinating fact about these products is that they were often used for special occasions, medicinal purposes, and religious rituals.
From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance
The word “candy” comes from an Arabic word “qandi,” which means something made with sugar. Cane sugar was brought to Europe in the Middle Ages, and this dramatically changed the course of candy making. As trade increased between populations, sugar and exotic ingredients become easier to obtain. A sugar syrup was used to preserve fruit, and candied fruits and nuts were enjoyed. Over time, fruit preserves became jams and spreads for toast and cakes. Marzipan was discovered, and this delightful almond sugar paste was molded into enticing shapes. Something to remember about this period in history is that because sugar was costly, most of these treats were only available to the wealthy class.
The dawning of the Renaissance came with more innovations in confectionary. Different production techniques using refined sugar meant a greater variety of candy. The trend was towards more complex concoctions, yielding a line of refined treats that was favored by aristocracy and elites. Among these candies was nougat, which is made from egg whites, honey, nuts, and sugar, and jellied candies, which are similar to modern-day Turkish delight, and gumdrops, which got their chewy texture from gelatin or pectin.
From the Industrial Revolution to modern times
A candy-making boon was brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Sugar was mass produced, and technological advancements made manufacturing confectionary that much faster and more efficient. The industry was revolutionized with inventions like the candy thermometer and candy press. The result was that sweet treats became more affordable for the average household. Plus, the choices of candy exploded with confectioners coming up with mouthwatering choices that became fan favorites. These offerings included chocolate bars produced cheaply by companies like Hershey and Cadbury, soft caramels made with cream and caramelized sugar, and hard candies such as butterscotch, lollipops, and peppermint sticks.
Candy-making really hit its stride in the 20th century. These years saw considerable innovation in the industry with a range of new brands and sweets coming to the marketplace. Confectionary as a treat became commonplace around the world. Many of the items created at this time are still celebrated today. Consider gummy bears, jelly beans, Mars bars, Milkey Way, Snickers, and Hershey’s Kisses, for example. Often, childhood memories are related to the consumption of particular products.
The 21st century ushered in artisanal and gourmet sweets. These were candies handmade in small batches by chocolatiers and other craftspeople. This is where confectionary makers boasting about exotic flavors and natural ingredients emerged on the scene. For health-conscious people, candy produced without artificial flavors or colors became available. Consumers now had the option of paying a little more for higher-quality treats instead of the usual fare.
Specialty items
There are interesting origins associated with certain types of confectionaries. For instance, sponge candy was developed in upstate New York, in Buffalo to be precise. The first products were allegedly made in the 1940s from a secret family recipe. Elsewhere in the United States, this sweet food, or something similar, was known by other names such as angel food, fairy candy, fairy food, honeycomb toffee, and sea foam. Although a critical ingredient in sponge toffee is baking soda, some older recipes don’t list this.
Penny candy has an intriguing back story. Typically, these were small, unwrapped candies that were sold by weight. Marketed in the 19th century for pennies, the candy pieces were displayed loose and scooped into a bag or box for the customer. Although the cost for different types of penny candy varied, they were generally very inexpensive and the purchaser was able to choose the assortment.
In closing
Candy has been popular for hundreds of years during which successive civilizations have refined and elevated this sweet food. Much of the confectionary we savor today came from creative approaches to traditional recipes and candy-making methods.