The Christmas Candy Cane

Whenever you think about the candy cane you automatically envision the red and white striped confection which is shaped like a shepherd's crook. Here is the traditional Christmas candy cane as we know it but, the candy cane has received undergone some changes because it was initially used at the moment of year.

The tradition of the Christmas candy cane is said to possess started around 1670 when a choirmaster had some candies designed for the youngsters attending his Christmas celebrations. It absolutely was customary during this time period for those of Europe to decorate their Christmas trees with edible arrangements. They generally hung cookies along with other goodies around the branches. One of many treats which were often used was a straight white stick of candy.



The Cologne Cathedral had pageants of just living crèches each year as part of their Christmas celebration. In 1670 the choirmaster decided that being a treat for him or her attending with the living crèche he would hand out sticks of candy. He decided that rather than the straight sticks that have been popular at that time he might have the confectioner bend the candy in to the shape of a shepherd's crook. Needless to say the uniquely shaped treats were a success challenging people and before long the technique of giving these treats to children on the living crèches was applied throughout Europe.

                                                                         
It took the Christmas candy cane until the 1880s to locate its method to the United States. The sweet confection was an instant success however it was not the white and red striped confection you are envisioning. Before 1900 the cane was developed of pure white candy. The candy at the moment of all time was not flavored with peppermint.

The peppermint flavoring and also the white and red decorations failed to begin before the 20th century. There are stories that claim that hyssop was used inside the Old Testament during sacrifices and then for purification purposes. Then when the decission was taken that the confections would be developed into a thing that would remind individuals from the sacrifices that Christ made the candy was flavored with peppermint to represent the hyssop. The red stripes were put on the treats to represent the blood of Jesus and the bold fascination with mankind. The white remained the indication of the pure virgin birth from the King. These thinner red stripes will be to symbolize the Holy Trinity.