Description
When did modern “fun foods” originate?
Fun times, fun places, and fun candy go together and have since the mid-1800s. Made in apothecaries and derived from medicines (yes, medicines!) some of the earliest were hard candies such as stain glass, usually made at home. These transitioned into memory-packed hard candy balls and drops, perfect for car rides during vacation and family visits (still used to soothe the throat).
Are gummy candies modern?
Gummy candies are, without a doubt, a favorite American treat, served everywhere from birthday parties to lunchtime snacks. The first iteration was actually Turkish delight (a medicine for sore throat around 900 CE) that morphed into gum drops (around 1805) then became jelly beans (1860s) and ended up as gummy bears in Germany (1922).
When did movie candy come around?
In the 1930s, during the Depression, candy joined popcorn in concession stands, from chocolate-covered raisins, to jelly candy, and even candy bars. These sweets were an easy way for movie house owners to recoup losses suffered during the Depression. The treats, especially popcorn, were affordable to buy, inexpensive to make, and aligned with the fun, escapist adventure of a night at the flicks.