The National Hard Candy Day is celebrated every 19th of December each year. This day gives recognition to hard candy – everyone’s favorite kind of candy. This day is also the ideal celebration for all sweet tooths out there – those who love to eat sweets. If you are one of them, then you must not miss out on the celebration of this one-of-a-kind event.
About the National Hard Candy Day
Hard candies are composed of 100% sugar. They are usually hardened sugar with colors and flavorings added. They are made by confectioners through a boiling process involving sugar syrup being subjected to about 320 F of temperature. Once that temperature is achieved, the melted sugar is poured in molds where the candies achieve their shape once they become hard and brittle.
During the National Hard Candy Day, people conduct various activities that let them achieve the objectives or purposes of the celebration. For one, people try to make their own hard candy which they could indulge themselves on. Other people, especially those who don’t have the time to make their own hard candy, instead buy some from the candy shop or store. People also shout out on social media how they are participating in the celebration of the event.
National Hard Candy Day History
According to historical records, the first ever hard candies were likely flavored peppermints and lemon drops, which were prescription remedies for stomach ailments. During the 17th century, hard candies became popular when their price fell significantly. Before, only those who are well off could afford hard candy. By the mid-1800s, over 400 companies were already producing hard candies. In 2016, the best-selling hard candy was given to Jolly Rancher, surpassing the record held previously by Werther’s Original. Other popular hard candy brands also include Charms Blow Pop, Tootsie Roll Pops, Life Savers, and Dum Dum Pops.
Read Also: National Bomb Pop Day
With limited knowledge about the origins of hard candy, even less is known about the history of the National Hard Candy Day. We don’t know when, where, and how it began. We also don’t have a clue as to who founded it. But still, we can make a good guess as to why such event was established in the first place. Perhaps a person or a group of people thought that hard candies are much loved by the people. They must have then thought that it deserves a spot in the list of food holidays celebrated every year.
Dates
As mentioned earlier, the National Hard Candy Day is celebrated every 19th of December each year.
Celebration Ideas and Activities
The following are the best things to do to make your celebration of National Hard Candy Day as best as it can be:
Indulge Yourself in Eating Hard Candies
One great idea for your celebration of this day is to indulge yourself into eating delicious hard candies while you binge watch some TV series or movies. It would be relaxing and fulfilling to do this at the end of the day while you sit or lie down in your couch or bed.
Try to Make Hard Candies
Or you can become more creative in celebrating this event by making hard candies on your own. You can follow the steps below to make delicious hard candies:
Ingredients:
- 3 and ¾ cups of white sugar
- 1 and a half cups of light corn syrup
- 1 cup of water
- 1 tablespoon of orange, or other extract for flavoring
- Half teaspoon of food coloring
- Quarter cup of confectioner’s sugar
Instructions:
- Combine corn syrup, white sugar, and water in a saucepan. Cook this in medium heat and continue stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil.
- Turn up the heat to 300 to 310 F or 149 to 154 C. stop stirring. Then add a small amount of surip into cold water to form har but brittle threads.
- Remove from heat then add in the food coloring and the flavored extract. Pour over a greased cookie sheet. Top the candy with confectioner’s sugar for dusting. Let it cool and break into small pieces if you like.
- Store the hard candies in an airtight container.
- Serve the hard candies and enjoy!
Celebrate on Social Media
You can also take your celebration of this day on social media. You can, for instance, use the hashtag #NationalHardCandyDay to let your friends and followers know that you are also participating in the celebration of this day. Let them know that such a celebration takes place every year and also how happy you are enjoying your day.
National Hard Candy Day Quotes
- Sometimes I think that the one thing I love most about being an adult is the right to buy candy whenever and wherever I want. – Ryan Gosling
- I want to get a vending machine, with fun-sized candy bars, and the glass in front is a magnifying glass. You’ll be mad, but it will be too late. – Mitch Hedberg
- Years are like candy bars… We’re paying more, but they’re getting shorter. – Charles M. Schulz
- Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. – Ogden Nash
- Knowledge was like candy: you never turned it down, especially if you didn’t have to work too hard to get it. – Robert Liparulo
- The holy land was supposed to be spotless, a serious equivalent of Disneyland in which not a single candy wrapper is to stay on the ground for more than a few minutes. – Marvin Olasky
- I feel like a human pinata. The disappointing thing is, no candy is going to spill out. – Katie Couric
- Candy is my fuel. Ice cream, too. – Jane Smiley
- People get passionate about a song. It’s been my experience if you put out radio candy, something commercial, it doesn’t sell records. – Trace Adkins
- A lot of people like lollipops. I don’t like lollipops. To me, a lollipop is hard candy plus garbage. I don’t need a handle. Just give me the candy. – Demetri Martin
- This Halloween, the most popular mask is the Arnold Schwarzenegger mask. And the best part? With a mouth full of candy you will sound just like him. – Conan O’Brien
- I have a hard time defending the production of candy, given that it is basically crack for children and makes them dependent in unwholesome ways. – Steve Almond