Candy

**Group 1: History and Evolution of Candy**
– The term ‘candy’ originated from the Old French term ‘çucre candi’.
– Sugarcane, initially from South and Southeast Asia, was discovered by Persians and Greeks in India.
– Candy was considered a luxury during the Middle Ages.
– The candy industry transformed during the Industrial Revolution in the 1830s.
– Various advancements like the candy press and revolving steam pan revolutionized candy production.
– The Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 addressed issues of adulteration and additives in candy.

**Group 2: Types and Classification of Candy**
– Sugar candies are categorized into hard, soft, caramels, marshmallows, and taffy.
– Different cooking processes and classifications exist for various types of candies.
– New types of sugar candies, like flavorless hard candy, have been introduced.
– Specific candies like Konpeitō, gummy bears, and fudge represent diverse global candy varieties.

**Group 3: Production, Packaging, and Marketing**
– Traditional candy-making processes like boiling sugar-water or milk syrup are used to create sugar candies.
– Various textures of candies result from ingredient combinations and processing temperatures.
– Packaging plays a crucial role in preserving aroma, flavor, and marketing candy products.
– Different materials like wax paper, cellophane, and aluminum foil are used for candy packaging.
– Manufacturers focus on hygiene and attractiveness in candy packaging to appeal to consumers.

**Group 4: Health, Nutrition, and Safety Concerns**
– Candy is considered empty calories with minimal nutritional value.
– High sugar content in candy can lead to dental cavities and health issues like diabetes and obesity.
– Safety concerns include choking hazards from certain candies and contamination risks.
– Regulations and safety standards are in place to ensure the well-being of consumers.
– Monitoring candy consumption is crucial for maintaining blood sugar levels and overall health.

**Group 5: Cultural Significance and Economic Impact**
– Candy has a significant cultural and historical role, especially during celebrations like Halloween.
– The economic impact of the candy industry is substantial, with Halloween candy sales reaching millions annually.
– Understanding the cultural significance of candy consumption helps appreciate its role in various traditions.
– The candy industry faces challenges like pandemics, emphasizing the need for adaptability and safety measures.
– Candy consumption during festive occasions has become a widespread tradition with deep-rooted historical significance.

Candy (Wikipedia)

This article is about the type of confection generally. For other uses, see Candy (disambiguation) and Candies (disambiguation).

"Sweets" redirects here. For other uses, see Sweets (disambiguation).

Candy, alternatively called sweets or lollies, is a confection that features sugar as a principal ingredient. The category, also called sugar confectionery, encompasses any sweet confection, including chocolate, chewing gum, and sugar candy. Vegetables, fruit, or nuts which have been glazed and coated with sugar are said to be candied.

Candy

Candy at a bazaar in Damascus, Syria
Alternative names	Sweets, lollies
Type	Sugar confectionery
Main ingredients	Sugar or honey
Media: Candy

Physically, candy is characterized by the use of a significant amount of sugar or sugar substitutes. Unlike a cake or loaf of bread that would be shared among many people, candies are usually made in smaller pieces. However, the definition of candy also depends upon how people treat the food. Unlike sweet pastries served for a dessert course at the end of a meal, candies are normally eaten casually, often with the fingers, as a snack between meals. Each culture has its own ideas of what constitutes candy rather than dessert. The same food may be a candy in one culture and a dessert in another.