A lie told often enough can become the truth—and candy corn is a lie. Sure, after so many fall seasons, we see candy corn and associate it with truth, with tradition, with goodness. But fall wants nothing to do with the tri-colored saccharine triangles. If you drank a bottle of Karo syrup and ate a candle, that's what candy corn would taste like. Fall doesn't want to taste like that. Fall wants to taste like pumpkin seeds, roasted butternut squash, and sure, a Snickers bar, or any of the acceptable candies on Halloween. Candy corn = not an acceptable candy. Candy corn = nausea.... More

I understand that candy corn is a topic about as sensitive as the cavities it produces, but it's a debate in which, as a candy corner, I have to take a stand. And I am for it. Candy corn is the symbol of fall—of the cooler air, of the changing leaves, of Halloween, of Thanksgiving (and of my birthday). It is, admittedly, a bit "corny," but it's also a classic. Although it tastes saccharine, its traditional flavor is honey, and while Technicolor in appearance, it is also reminiscent of the American ears of grain that mark the season and color our history. I can get Snickers, Three Musketeers, or Twix any time of year, and frankly—different as they are—they are... More

When the Halloween candy season rolls around each fall there are two kinds of people in the world: those who love candy corn, and those who hate it. I have yet to meet anyone in between. In honor of National Candy Corn Day, October 30, here is some information on our favorite fall confection, at least for those of us who love candy corn. For those who don’t, I suppose we must share the same candy corn world until Christmas, so I tolerate your opinion as well A History Lesson Candy corn is as indigenous to the autumn season as corn bread. It has been around since 1880, when its new three-way technicolor look wowed candy consumers nationwide. At... More

Like sports teams and hot dog styles, candy inspires fervent regional loyalties. Thanks to the Great Depression, the candy industry was booming during the early 1900s, when a nickel was all people could afford for a high-energy snack or meal. It's kind of scary—maybe exciting for the sake of candy—to think we've come full circle, but regardless, economic crisis or not, we'll never stop loving the candies from home. More

The Big Cherry started in 1887 with Christopher's Candy, the oldest candy company in Southern California. Each individually wrapped candy contains a real maraschino cherry at the center, mixed with bright-pink goo and layered with chocolate and peanut hunks. Golf ball-sized, this is a three-biter. More

"Just had a fun-size Snickers. All it did is make me want a Snickers the size of my head. Sigh." —dyfl, on Twitter... More

In my United Nations of a household, the Halloween tradition is for the housemates to contribute to a giant candy stash—so we have a pool of unusual, globetrotting candy to offer the neighbors’ kids. This year, I was ready to break out my childhood fave—chewy, milky, nougaty Chinese White Rabbit candy. But in September, four babies died and thousands of people got sick after drinking melamine-tainted milk from China. Tons of milk-containing products were recalled, and I had to feed my beloved White Rabbits to the trash. My housemates joke that I should have kept the candy and put them in a bowl with a sign that reads: Beware, Poisoned Apples. But I haven’t quite the same sick sense... More

Why don't they make a GIANT CANDY CORN? Like a single candy corn "kernel" that's like two feet tall? THAT would be awesome. (This one doesn't count; it's not a retail product.) [via Twitter; response tweets here]... More

From blacktreacle.com. Yes, there is a blacktreacle.com. "Mom, that smell is making me want to throw up," is the unintended reaction Rebecca Koffman of the Washington Post got when she tried to feed her kids black treacle toffee as a Halloween treat. She gives us the story behind this beloved British treat, which is traditionally eaten on Guy Fawkes Night, along with a recipe so you can make it at home. Despite her kids' reactions of horror, I'm now curious to try this shiny, black candy with a rich, smoky flavor. Buy it online or head to your nearest purveyor of British goods.... More

Look at all this grape candy! It's awesome! Last week, as I went up to the register to pay my bill, I looked into the candy cup on the counter for a lollipop. There they were: six or seven Blow Pops, all grape! I smiled secretly to myself as I pocketed one, thanking my lucky stars that almost no one else on earth loves grape candy. I considered doing the other customers a favor by taking all seven and forcing the check-out lady to replenish the strawberry, cherry, and watermelon reserves. When you are little it’s natural to want to fit in, but there is one way, especially around Halloween, in which it’s quite convenient to be a bit... More