Candy is a fun treat. For those with a sweet tooth who enjoy sucking on candy sticks or hard candy, old fashioned candy really is better than newer kinds.
Old Time Candy Does Not Have HFCS
All sweeteners are not equal; and some sweeteners are especially unhealthy. In March of 2010, a Princeton University research team concluded that high fructose corn syrup causes more weight gain than other sweeteners. High fructose corn syrup is also called corn sugar; they are the same thing.
One nice thing about old time candy recipes is that they were developed before high fructose corn syrup was developed.
In addition to excessive weight gain, the study linked long-term ingestion of high fructose corn syrup with abnormally high increases in body fat and triglycerides. Therefore, the study concluded that the use of high fructose corn syrup is one cause of the increase in obesity in America, and that different sweeteners have different effects on the body.
Nostalgic Candy
Nostalgic candies are the types of candies that were around as early as the beginning of the 1900s. Life Savers claim existence back to 1912. Pepp-o-mint and Wintergreen were two of the earliest flavors, and the current recipe remains free of HFCS. However, some of the newer flavors do use this ingredient, so it is always good to check before purchasing.
Other old time favorites include real black licorice ropes. Natural oil from the anise plant gives the licorice its flavoring. Some prefer the red ropes which are raspberry flavored. Black licorice candies from Holland and Denmark have the strongest flavor, but they are not as sweet as their American counterparts. They are dusted with salt. These imported candies can be found at old style candy counters.
Horehound drops and horehound sticks are another old favorite. The horehound herb, which is a member of the mint family, is mixed in with the sugar syrup and allowed to cool into hard candies. Horehound used to be a popular home treatment for sore throat, lack of appetite, and gas. While it may be a stretch to say that sucking on horehound drops is healthy, perhaps it is a beneficial treat.
Old Fashioned Candy Sweeteners
Good old fashioned candy sweeteners include sugar and invert sugar. Invert sugar is simply sugar that is broken down into its two components, glucose and fructose. Sugar is turned into invert sugar by adding a small bit of acid, such as cream of tartar, and heating the mixture. This process happens naturally while making jams and jellies.
Invert sugar crystals are smaller, smoother and finer than sugar crystals. They are desirable in smooth fondant and candy fillings.
Corn syrup is found in some old time candies. Corn syrup is not the same as high fructose corn syrup. Corn syrup has been around much longer and is only mildly sweet. According to the manufacturers of Karo Syrup, corn syrup contains 15 - 20 percent dextrose and a mixture of other sugars.
Old Fashioned Candy Store Candy Counter
There are still special stores that have old fashioned candy counters. The Vermont Country Store is a well-known example. There is something old world and homey about going up to a candy counter and filling a bag with a personal selection of treats. For those who do not live near such a place, the Vermont Country Store does take online orders.
Candy is a treat. Why not have a nice, old-fashioned treat made with time-trusted ingredients. Share with an old-timer for a trip down memory lane.
