Top 10 Iconic Candies to Try on National Candy Day

National Candy Day 2024 is coming up on November 4th and we couldn’t be more excited! In a time of extreme divisiveness, one thing nearly everyone in America can agree on is that candy is utterly awesome! Whether you’re into the fruity flavors of gummy bears, the aromatic appeal of black licorice bites, or velvety smooth chocolate candy, there’s a variety of sweet treats that just about everyone can enjoy!

The History of National Candy Day

The origins of National Candy Day have been relatively unknown, until recently. According to a blog post by the Library of Congress, there was a Candy Day dating back to at least 1916. From what I can discern through reading all of these old-timey news articles, is that the National Confectioners Association got together and decided they needed to sell more candy. So, they designated the second Saturday in October as “Candy Day”. As the “candy men” of this era stated: “We have days for everything else, so why not a candy day?”

These were quite an entertaining and enlightening read to say the least! Some articles, like one from the Evening Capital News in Boise, Idaho proclaimed candy as “The Health Food”, explaining how physicians deemed candy as “the child’s most natural food, readily digested and quickly absorbed and immediately available as working energy for the muscles… it is essential in a child’s diet, particularly an active hard-playing child.”

Another quote from a dentist in Chicago, Illinois proclaimed “candy is the best dental antiseptic in existence.” But my personal favorite was this quote: “Candy fills that want for something you know not what.” It’s so fascinating to take a glimpse into the zeitgeist of a bygone era.

By 1917, Candy Day’s popularity was evident. A news article from October 5th of that year in the Ogden Standard proclaimed: “Send Utah-made candy to the soldier boys” – a stark reminder that the United States had just entered the European theater of war in World War I.

This official day of celebration didn’t seem to last very long, however. Many speculate that this Candy Day was quickly absorbed by Halloween as the popular time to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings in October. But this strange, short-lived holiday found new life in recent years, becoming a National Day on November 4th each year.

Sweet History: How the Industrial Revolution Changed Candy

The beloved candy we know today has been shaped throughout the entirety of human history, with major advances coming during the Industrial Revolution. With advances in manufacturing, candy companies were able to produce sugar in much larger quantities, making sugary treats more affordable and therefore, more accessible to the masses.

As factories sprang up, candy stores began popping up all over, filling shelves with inventive sweets that were once mere luxuries only to be enjoyed on holidays and other special occasions. By the late 19th century, the candy world had exploded, giving birth to some of the popular candy we still enjoy today. Many of these treats have solidified their status as iconic candies and are still some of the best-selling, most popular candy products to this day!

The Top 10 Iconic Candies for National Candy Day

Now, let’s dig into some of the most iconic candies that are perfect for celebrating this year’s National Candy Day!

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups

Chocolate and peanut butter—need we say more? Arguably the most iconic flavor combination of all time, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have been some of the best-selling chocolate candy bars for almost a century! Reese’s always delivers the perfect balance of sweet and savory, earning them a top spot in this candy hall of fame.

Sour Patch Kids

Known for their "sweet and sour" allure, Sour Patch Kids have a unique combination of flavors that start off with a tangy bite and finish with a sugary sweetness. This playful candy is loved by kids and adults alike, adding a whole lotta fun to any occasion!

M&M’s

Created by Forrest Mars in 1941, the truly iconic M&Ms are chocolatey, colorful, and versatile. Whether enjoyed alone, in trail mix with nuts and raisins, or as a topping on your favorite ice cream sundae, these crunchy candies are a must-have for any reputable candy stash.

Kit Kat

Known for its “break” appeal, Kit Kat bars are beloved for their layers of crispy wafer cookies and chocolate. Whether you’re a classic chocolate fan or you enjoy wide variety of their seasonal flavors, this is the perfect milk chocolate bar to savor one sweet and crunchy bite at a time!

Nerds Gummy Clusters

There wasn’t a whole lot of good things that came out of the year 2020, but Nerds Gummy Clusters were introduced that year, and they quickly took the candy world (and our taste buds) by storm! These are a delicious twist on classic Nerds, combining crunchy with soft and chewy gummy candy for the ultimate texture experience. With their vibrant fruity flavors and easy-to-eat shapes, they're a big hit for anyone who loves candy with an infinite amount of character!

Snickers

Named after a horse, Snickers is a truly satisfying treat! Packed with nougat, caramel, roasted peanuts, and milk chocolate, it’s the ultimate go-to candy bar for those who want something filling and crave-worthy.

Jolly Rancher

Long-lasting and packed with intense fruity flavor, Jolly Ranchers are the iconic hard candies that keep on giving. With options like blue raspberry, cherry, watermelon, grape, and green apple, they’re perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a long-lasting treat!

Twix

Twix takes chocolate to a new level with its unique combination of a chocolate covered crunchy biscuit with caramel. So, pick a side and find yourself immersed in the sweetest battle of left vs. right to ever take place!

Skittles

Skittles invites everyone to “taste the rainbow” with its bright, fruity flavors and iconic colors. With their original flavors of lime, lemon, grape, orange, and strawberry, Skittles have remained a fan-favorite of candy lovers since 1979.

Toxic Waste Slime Lickers

For those who love a sour adventure, Toxic Waste Slime Lickers bring a daringly sour kick that’s been thrilling audiences worldwide. It’s not just candy anymore… it’s a challenge! First introduced in 2019, the Toxic Waste Slime Licker has a new and improved design, with all the sweet, fruity and sour flavors that made them an iconic new addition to this list!

We hope you enjoyed our deep dive into the juicy world of iconic candies! These are just a few of the mouthwatering treats that make celebrating National Candy Day so much fun. So, this Monday, November 4th, indulge yourself in some of your favorite sweets, and feel the weight of the world’s woes melt away!

At Redstone Foods, we’re proud to bring you an unparalleled selection of candy, snacks, energy drinks, and craft sodas from all over the world. From classic retro candies to the latest and greatest in trending sweets, our giant inventory has you covered!

Create an account with us today or give us a call and discover why Redstone Foods is America’s favorite candy distributor!

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