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National Cotton Candy Day celebrates the spun sugar treat that delights candy fans of all ages. On December 7th get your favorite flavor of this sweet delight that dates back to the 1400s.

Originally called spun sugar, cotton candy is still a staple at carnivals, fairs, and the circus. While it may be reminiscent of childhood days, fairy floss also reminds us of fluffy clouds. Since the heated sugar gets spun into thin strands of fine sugar and blown into fat puffs twirled onto paper sticks, it’s a bit like magic.

We associate it with other magical occasions, too. Carnivals and fairs, the zoo, and the circus delight us. We associate a bit of joy and magic with cotton candy. Nostalgic memories of bustling crowds and the music of the calliope bring a smile to our faces. Cotton candy comes with adventure!

Cotton candy is also called candy floss or fairy floss.

During the 18th century, cotton candy (spun sugar) was first recorded in Europe. At that time, it was very expensive and labor-intensive. Generally, the average person could not afford to purchase cotton candy.

Then in 1897, Dentist William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton invented machine-spun cotton candy. Their invention introduced cotton candy to a wider audience at the 1904 World’s Fair as Fairy Floss. Fairgoers loved it and bought over 68,000 boxes for 25¢ a box.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCottonCandyDay

When it comes to celebrating this sweet treat, there are many routes we can take. Try creating an adventure by exploring all the ways cotton candy used to be made and how it’s made today. Share your favorite memories of cotton candy treats while enjoying some cotton candy with those you love. Use #NationalCottonCandyDay to post on social media.

On November 4th, we celebrate the sweet holiday, National Candy Day. Candies have a long history of attracting us with their bright colors and delightful flavors. They also come in a variety of fun sizes and shapes.

Candy History

In the late 13th century, Middle English first began using the word candy. Borrowed from the Old French cucre candi, it is derived in turn from Persian Qand and Qandi, cane sugar.

People use the term candy as a broad category. We treat candy bars, chocolates, licorice, sour candies, salty candies, tart candies, hard candies, taffies, gumdrops, marshmallows, and much more as candy.

However, sugar was not always readily available. So instead, people made the first candies from honey. Candymakers coated nuts, fruits, and flowers with honey. This method preserved the flowers and nuts or created forms of candy. Today, we still create these confections, but we typically use them as a garnish.

Originally a form of medicine, candy calmed the digestive system or cooled a sore throat. At that time, combined with spices and sugar, candy only appeared in the purses and the dishes of the wealthy.

By the 18th century, the first candy likely came to America from Britain and France. At the time, people made the simplest form of candy from crystallized sugar – rock candy. However, even the most basic form of sugar was considered a luxury and only attainable by the wealthy.

Since 1979, the world has produced more sugar than can be sold, making it very attainable and cheap.

Candy Inventions

With the advent of the industrial revolution, many advances improved the availability of sugar. By the 1830s, markets opened, and the candy business underwent a drastic change. Not only did the price of candy drop, but penny candies targeted children.Advertisement

1847 – Oliver R. Chase invents and patents the first candy press in America. The Boston inventor’s creation made making different lozenge shapes possible
1851 – Confectioners begin using a revolving steam pan to assist in boiling sugar.
1897 – William Morrison and John C. Wharton from Nashville invented the first cotton candy machine. At the time, the fluffy puffs of spun sugar were called Fairy Floss.

Unforgettable Candies

M & M’s – Forrest Mars, Sr., and William Murrie developed these milk chocolate drops with the colorful candy coating following the Spanish Civil War. They stamped the new candy with the initials of their surnames. In 1941, they debuted the candies, and soon after, American soldiers serving in the Second World War received them as part of their rations.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Hershey’s company first manufactured these round chocolate disks filled with sweet, creamy peanut butter filling in 1928.
Christmas Candies – These hard candies come in the shape of ribbons or lozenges (thank you Oliver R. Chase!) and add a sweet, colorful memory to the holiday season.
Necco Wafers – Despite being chalky and not too sweet, this candy still tops many people’s lists.
PEZ – Not only does this tiny candy hit the sweet spot, but it also comes with a dispenser that often represents other iconic and inspirational characters.
Lifesavers – Another hard candy, this sweet circular lozenge with a hole in it finds its way into mom’s purse and the stocking hung on the mantel.

LIFE SAVERS Hard Candy 5 Flavors, 50-Ounce Party Size Bag
#NationalCandyDay — LIFE SAVERS Hard Candy 5 Flavors, 50-Ounce Party Size Bag

LifeSavers 21524 Hard Candy, Wint-O-Green, 50oz Bag
#NationalCandyDay — LIFE SAVERS Hard Candy 5 Flavors, 50-Ounce Party Size Bag

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalCandyDay

Four days after Halloween, you should be able to celebrate this day. Either you have leftover candy or can sneak some of your kid’s stash to celebrate. You can also scan the sales of Halloween candy at your local stores. Or, invite some friends to enjoy their favorite candies with you! While you’re celebrating, be sure to use #NationalCandyDay to post on social media.