When you think of the candy cane you automatically envision the red and white striped confection that is shaped like a shepherd's crook. This is the traditional Christmas candy cane as we know it but, the candy cane has had undergone some changes since it was first used at this time of year.
The tradition of the Christmas candy cane is said to have started around 1670 when a choirmaster had some candies made for the children attending his Christmas celebrations. It was customary during this time period for the people of Europe to decorate their Christmas trees with edible arrangements. They frequently hung cookies and other sweet treats on the branches. One of the treats that were often used was a straight white stick of candy.
The Cologne Cathedral had pageants of living crèches every year as part of their Christmas celebration. In 1670 the choirmaster decided that as a treat for the children in attendance of the living crèche he would give out sticks of candy. He decided that instead of the straight sticks that were popular at the time that he would have the confectioner bend the candy into the shape of a shepherd's crook. Needless to say the uniquely shaped treats were a hit with all of the people and before long the practice of giving these treats to children at the living crèches was adopted throughout Europe.
It took the Christmas candy cane until the 1880s to find its way to the United States. The sweet confection was an instant success but it was not the red and white striped confection you are envisioning. Before 1900 the cane was made of pure white candy. The candy at this time in history was not flavored with peppermint.
The peppermint flavoring and the red and white decorations did not begin until the twentieth century. There are stories that say that hyssop was used in the Old Testament during sacrifices and for purification purposes. So when it was decided that the confections would be developed into something that would remind the people of the sacrifices that Christ made the candy was flavored with peppermint to represent the hyssop. The red stripes were placed on the treats to symbolize the blood of Jesus and his bold love for mankind. The white remained as the symbol of the pure virgin birth of the King. The three thinner red stripes are to symbolize the Holy Trinity.
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