“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean." ~ Psalms 51:7
According to the National Confectioners Association, nearly
2 billion candy canes are produced each year, with 90 percent of the red and
white striped treats sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Their evolution is
steeped in charming folklore.
One legend has it that
in 1670, the German choirmaster handed out sugar sticks to his fidgety young
singers to quiet them during the lengthy nativity services. He bent the treats to
represent a shepherd’s staff, appeasing those who complained that sweets were
not appropriate in a church.
European Christians also
began using Christmas trees as part of their Yuletide celebrations about that
time. They were often decorated with cookies and candies.
The first red-and-white-striped candy canes appeared some 50
years later when peppermint, known for its stomach-soothing properties, found
its way into the sugary concoction. Local apothecaries, often doubling as candy
makers, utilized peppermint to mask the taste of unpleasant medicines.
Early on, the cane’s popularity
was limited as it tended to break when candy-makers added the crook. Bob
McCormick, a candy-maker in the 1920s, reportedly solved that problem with help
from a Catholic priest who invented a machine that that made turning straight
candy sticks into curved ones automatic! It not only streamlined production and
reduced waste but also paved the way for millions of candy canes to sweeten the
holiday season.
Today, kneaders to twisters, produce the iconic stripes and shapes
that define iconic candy. Being portable, relatively neat (compared to
chocolate), affordable, and tasty all add to its popularity.
There are many other legends and religious beliefs
surrounding the humble candy cane. Many of them depict the candy cane as a
secret symbol for Christianity during a time when Christians were living under
more oppressive circumstances.
It’s been argued that the cane was shaped like a
"J" for "Jesus" and that the red-and-white stripes
represented Christ's blood and purity. As for the candy cane's peppermint
flavor, it represented the use of hyssop, an herb referred to in the Old
Testament for its flavoring and medicinal uses.
However, no historical evidence exists to support these
claims.
Personally, I love them for their refreshing, cool taste. Above
all our ornaments, the candy cane brings a sweetness that spreads into our
holiday atmosphere. And although the candy cane may be a legend, the truth it
can symbolize is not! Every Christmas we
should be reminded of the great love God has for each one of us!
