Candy apple

What is Candy apple?

A candy apple is a whole apple covered in a glossy, hard sugar shell, usually bright red and flavored with cinnamon. The apple is skewered with a stick to make it easy to hold and eat. The candy coating cracks when bitten, giving way to the crisp, tart apple inside. Sometimes, the outside is rolled in chopped nuts for extra texture. The treat is both sweet and slightly spicy from the cinnamon, with the apple's natural tartness balancing the sugary shell.

Where does Candy apple come from?

Candy apples were first sold in London in the 1890s, but a well-known story credits American candy-maker William W. Kolb with inventing the red candy apple in Newark, New Jersey, in 1908. Kolb was experimenting with red cinnamon candy for Christmas when he dipped apples into the mixture and displayed them in his shop window. The apples quickly became popular, spreading to fairs and candy shops across the United States.

How is Candy apple made?

To make a candy apple, a whole apple is washed and dried, then skewered with a stick. Sugar, corn syrup, water, cinnamon, and red food coloring are heated together until the mixture reaches the hard crack stage, which means it will set into a brittle shell. The apple is dipped into the hot syrup and rotated to coat it evenly. Once coated, the apple is set aside to cool and harden. In some versions, the candy apple may be rolled in chopped nuts before the coating sets.

How and when is Candy apple eaten?

Candy apples are most often eaten as a snack at fairs, carnivals, and festivals, especially during the autumn months when apples are harvested. In the United States and Ireland, they are a classic treat for Halloween. In the United Kingdom, they are enjoyed on Bonfire Night. The stick makes them easy to eat while walking around at outdoor events. The hard shell can be tricky to bite into, so they are usually eaten slowly.

Kinds of Candy apple

Different countries have their own versions of candy apples. In Australia, Granny Smith apples are preferred for their tartness. In France and Brazil, they are called 'apples of love' and are popular at festivals. In Japan, similar coatings are used on other fruits like grapes and strawberries. The United States also has 'jelly apples' with a softer, cherry-flavored coating. In South Africa, toffee apples are sold in supermarkets and are especially popular during apple season.

What Candy apple means

Candy apples are tied to autumn celebrations and harvest festivals in many Western countries. They are a familiar sight at Halloween in the United States, Ireland, and the UK, and at Guy Fawkes Night in England. In Israel, they are sold during Independence Day street celebrations. Their bright red color and shiny finish make them visually appealing, and they are part of the festive atmosphere at fairs and carnivals. The treat is also a symbol of the apple harvest season.

When Candy apple is on the table

Questions people ask about Candy apple

Good reading and sources

• Candy apple on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data