This historical candy collection is full of 1700s sweets and historic candy gifts hand picked by candy researcher Susan Benjamin
Who knew candy was around in the 1700s? Not the 1700s sweets we know today, but their distinctly well-connected ancestors. Here are a few surprising “Did You Knows” from the world of early American treats, many of which now inspire our historical candy collection.
Did You Know: Sugar was widely used to treat various ailments, from Native American tribal remedies to mixtures conceived in the apothecaries. Many of today’s candies evolved from these early medicines. From Native Americans’ fruits to European comfits, sweets had one thing in common: they were considered healthy and medicinal—used to cure everything from stomach distress to matters of the heart, much like how we turn to a comforting historical candy gift today.
Did You Know: As early as the 1500s, the makings of candies abounded throughout North America. Native American trade routes brought cacao and cayenne pepper northward, while maple and hickory syrups, fruit sugars, and resin-based chewing gums were widely used—laying the foundation for the 1700s sweets that would come later.
Did You Know: The confectionery landscape shifted in the 1700s with the arrival of immigrants from Asia, Africa, and Europe. These newcomers introduced new plants, animals, and food customs. Enter the honeybee, licorice root, sorghum grain, cane sugar, peanuts, and tropical fruits—from oranges to coconuts—all finding a permanent place in what we now recognize as early American candy.
Did You Know: The unofficial start of today’s candy came in the late 1700s, as North America transitioned into the United States. Chocolate mills opened, and candies—often called “sweetmeats”—were enjoyed, including sugar plums, cream filberts, candied citrus peels, cinnamon-covered nuts, and candied flowers. These remarkable 1700s sweets, combined with Native American classics, helped forge the rich and diverse historical candy collection that True Treats celebrates today.
