Walking through a candy store leaves one with little doubt that great creative genius has been a long time associate of the candy industry. It is an absolutely amazing act of wizardry to see the multitude of confectionery varieties, shapes, textures, and tastes that can emerge from sugar, chocolate, and corn syrup. Chewy caramels, cotton candy, lollipops, chocolate pralines, nut logs with creamy nougat fillings, the list is endless.
So what could be wrong with candy? Especially if the ingredient panel states only simple, natural ingredients? Not so simple.
Hard Candies
Hard candy making is a unique candy-making art form. For a hard candy maker to carefully hand stripe large red corn syrup stripes onto a white amorphous mass of peppermint flavored white corn syrup, that when reduced will form perfectly shaped peppermint sticks, is nothing short of masterful. Hard candy is an ingredient combination of hot corn syrup or liquid sugar with a full spectrum of colors and flavors added to create a complete array of lollipops, peppermint sticks, and sourballs. Aside from the close Kosher monitoring of flavors and colors, the key Kashrus issue with hard candy production is the monitoring of the release agents that assure the hardened mass does not adhere to the work table or the formers. Release agents can be of animal, vegetable, or synthetic origin, thereby requiring a reliable Kosher certification. Again, as in other industries, rework is also an issue the must be resolved.
Marshmallows
One of the relatively recent Kosher candy making advances has been the reintroduction of reliable Kosher gelatin, made under reputable Kosher supervision, onto the Kosher candy making scene. As every candy loving maven knows gelatin is an integral ingredient in marshmallows. Marshmallows are a creation of sugar, gelatin, starch and flavors that are cooked, compressed and extruded through a straw-like extruder, molding the marshmallows into the desired marshmallow shape. The one very crucial concern that the alert Mashgiach has to be aware of is the problem of compatible ingredients. Most Kosher runs of this kind are made in facilities that may be making marshmallows of all descriptions. Therefore, it is important that careful controls be exercised so Kashrus will not be compromised.
Cotton Candy
Kosher cotton candy is now taking its prominent place on the shelves of other pop-in-the-mouth treats. Cotton candy is created through an amazing process where sugar is heated for a split millisecond at an extremely high temperature. At that flashpoint, the sugar bursts into that fibrous delicacy known to us as cotton candy. Aside from the sugar, colors and flavors are also blended therein. It is interesting to note that with this technology the colors and flavors come to the manufacturer in powdered form so that the ingredients can be properly blended. Often these flavors and colors are atomized and dried to a powder in a large cone shaped spray dryer. Spray dryers can be quite large and quite costly to purchase. Some manufacturers spray dry their products at an outside facility. Other flavor companies that spray dry at their own facility can and will spray dry Kosher, non-Kosher, Dairy, and Pareve flavors on the same equipment. Because of these concerns, spray dried flavors often come to the production with the signature of the Mashgiach assuring the end user that both the spray dried flavor formulation and the equipment upon which the liquid flavor was dried was 100% Kosher.
Bulk & Repacked Candies
Today, a more economical way of purchasing favorite sweet treats is at the bulk food section of your supermarket, or in convenient repackaged cellophane bags. Often when purchasing candies in bulk, the individual candies remain wrapped in their foil or cellophane units and can be identified as a Kosher candy. Some candies are loose and unwrapped. Unless the store has Kosher supervision, once the individual units leave the original packaging, the original Hechsher is no longer effective.
Also, if you are traveling internationally, make sure that your destination country does not have restrictions on the types of candy you can bring with you so that you avoid any issues upon arrival.
As described in the above information with solid candies, gummy candy may be brought on commercial flights in the USA in open containers as well as their original packaging in as large of quantities as desired.
As master confectioners of custom, handmade candy, we specialize in creating unique designs in delicious treats. Using only the finest ingredients; our candy is gluten, dairy, nut and high fructose corn syrup free.
This recipe makes two candy cane pastries. If you wanted to make just one, you would need an extremely large baking sheet! For ease, I like to use parchment paper on my pans. It will keep the pastry from sticking to the pan and makes cleanup a breeze.
But most people do not have the unique situation that Nancy Monacelli has. The Walla Walla candy maker, who creates artisan toffees, brittles, chocolates, and snacks, needed an image for her packaging logo, and, in her own words,
So Nancy, as she is packaging up her many handcrafted treats for sale, does not have to face her face. And she can focus on what she really gets excited about: making candy using recipes that she has developed over decades.
Now, Monacelli spends her days at the Blue Mountain Station in Dayton, where she operates a commercial kitchen in back and retail store in front. Fridays and Saturdays from spring through fall, while husband Richard minds the candy shop, Nancy heads to the Walla Walla and Richland Farmers Markets. In the winter, she focuses on new product development. This is an endeavor that not only stretches creativity, but the waistband as well.
When I was a kid, there was another candy at Halloween in the orange and black wrapper. But it was a sweet taffy and not the Mary Jane version mentioned in the article. Do you or anyone remember and know the name of that candy?
I remember as a kid opening and retwisting the orange or black wrapper to find the non-peanut butter candy.
I've adored these since I was a kid. Rarely got then in my Halloween candy so I used to trade my pixie sticks to my brother for his. Now I make sure to buy several bags every year at Halloween. Sadly, my husband loves them too, so I have to share.
I love candy corn and the little orange pumpkins. It was only in adulthood I discovered their distinctive flavor is honey.
I also adore black licorice. Allsorts, Good-n-Plenty, black jelly beans, or any other form.
Black jellybeans = spring caviar!
Birdsong, bunny rabbits and blooms bursting on the scene can only mean the Easter season is upon us. What better way to celebrate spring than with oodles of chocolate goodies, colorful treats and sumptuous meals. Fill up baskets for the littles with treasure from these great candy and bake shops. Brunch up at local eateries or fetch a fine feast. Get a hop up on all the happenings this Spring on the North Shore.
Order process was easy and shipment was quick. Ordered about 3 different kinds of candy which I was excited about. When they came in one flavor expired in less than a week. I was frustrated on that part.
Does your Halloween game plan include a wine opener? Of course it does. Wine expands many pleasures, including the passing of candy to costumed cuties. Enjoying good wine makes hearing the doorbell ring equal a definite reason to toast!
From setting the course with a sparkling wine or prosecco, cruising on to a dry white wine or chardonnay, to triumph in flight with a cabernet sauvignon or dry red wine, the right wine pairing perfectly highlights the abundance of candy which is the hallmark of Halloween success.
Why not be the friendly sommelier this season, and the perfect wine glas will be the only costume prop needed. Just set up the ultimate charcuterie board, and invite a few good friends over to share in the wine tasting and candy pairing. With good friends, good music and perhaps a wine tasting wheel, you can have great conversations and even sound almost like wine experts.
Unleash your sweet tooth and embrace your inner child as you witness the mesmerizing world of confectionery come to life. Marvel at the creation of lollipops, candy canes, and other irresistible Hammond's treats (5,000lbs per day!). Learn about our rich Mile High City history and fascinating tidbits about nostalgic candies. As a special treat, we invite you to take home a complimentary delight from the factory, a sweet memory of your visit.
Every day, our Denver factory meticulously produces over 5,000 pounds of mouth-watering candies using secret recipes that are over a century old.
Incorporating modern technology with time-honored traditions, we have installed large video screens throughout the factory, enabling visitors to witness the intimate details of our candy-making process. As you watch, immerse yourself in the rich history of our operation, nestled in the heart of the Mile High City, and uncover fascinating anecdotes about your favorite nostalgic sweets - all completely complimentary.
We scheduled our tour in advance, which I would recommend. It was short and simple, but it really hit the point of how much work goes into candy making, most of which here is still done by hand. We went on a weekend, so several departments weren't on that day, but still plenty to see. There's lots of history and hard-working people here. The staff was generally friendly, and at the end of the tour, we received a free sample. Candy prices were reasonable and a lot of variety to choose from. Kids loved it, and the tour is free.
We just moved here and I surprised my kids and booked a free candy tour here. We had so much fun. The store was super clean, the staff was friendly, and there was a huge variety of different candies and treats.I cannot wait to go back!
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