Did you know Candy Canes originally came from Cologne, Germany? It's true in 1670 a choirmaster gave the children sugar sticks to keep them quiet during Christmas performance. They were white representing purity and straight in the beginning. Later bent to represent a Shepard hook or the "J" for Jesus.
In the 1800's they made their way to America and in the 20th Century the red stripes were added, some say they represent the blood of Christ. The flavor of peppermint is similar to another member of the mint family, hyssop. In the Old Testament hyssop was used for purification and sacrifice, and this is said to symbolize the purity of Jesus and the sacrifice he made.
I love Candy Canes, I love to decorate my tree with them, I love to eat them and I love to stir my hot cocoa with them also. Since moving to Germany the founders of the first Candy Cane....you think they would be everywhere right? And you think they would be the best in the world right? They are not everywhere and they taste gross and are not peppermint flavor at all. And they are so expensive 1 Euro or $1.50 for ONE! They don't even sell them in boxes with multiple quantities! THE INVENTOR OF THE FREAKING CANDY CANE!!!!
So friends in America when you are buying your Candy Candy's in the box it's probably Bob's Candy Canes the largest producer and you are probably paying the same price for a box as I am for one little yucky non peppermint candy cane!! SO enjoy them and consider yourself lucky!
Not bitter just jealous!
23 comments:
I used to love them as a kid. As an adult I'm kind of off minty candies. But they are so pretty and festive.
Thanks for the interesting posting - now Candy Canes will always remind me of the Shepards and Jesus… - must have some one the 25th!
omg, you and me both. wait, but i live near cologne! i am a stone's throw from cologne and i can't find any candy canes! *cry*
so, you're saying if i found one, it wouldn't be peppermint? agh!!!! thanks for the warning. i'd hate to get my hopes up after handing over 1,50 euros. geez!!!!
THE INVENTOR OF THE FREAKING CANDY CANE!
*sniff*
this is doubly horrible, that i'm so close, and cannot have one. last year i complained but i had no idea of thier origins.
hrmph. yet another christmas without the most ubiquitous christmas candy in america.
from cologne!!!
~lytha
You have an award on arise 2 write.
andrea
Hi...Thanks for visiting. Candy canes weren't quite the same in the UK either and of course nothing cost the same : ) I've spent lots of time in Germany and love it. The language is a a tough one though! One of the friends I'm meeting in France now lives in Munich.
I have quite a few smokers and nutcrackers from trips to the German markets...not sure how the French market will be but we've heard the one in Strasbourg is great so I'm hoping. I'm looking for a tapestry so not really something Christmasy. Mostly going to catch up with the three friends I'm meeting there...have a great weekend!
THanks for the info. I had a vague idea there was some symbolism involved but nothing like that! I can't believe you can't get decent candy canes over there. That's just wrong!
You always make me laugh! When I am enjoying my Peppermint Coffe Mate with my coffee this morning I will think of you. :)
Hint to Preppy/West Famly in the States...maybe send some candy canes to this poor girl.... xoxo
I will send you a box!
I had no idea the meaning of them but now this makes sense. Mr. PM and I were just talking about this last night where he was reading that a school district was removing every sign of Christmas including no candy canes at school. We couldn't understand this which I still think is absolutely absurd. Wreaths were also a no-no as they symbolism the thorny crown of Christ. Eventhough 80% of the population was Christian this is what was done. Soon we will all be celebrating just the seasons again but couldn't that be considered pagan and would be offensive to fundamentalist groups?? World's going to he** in a hand basket as my mom would say.
Anyway, sounds like you need a care package from the states.
Have a good weekend. :)
Interesting stuff about canycanes! a box is 89 cents at Walmart!
Love that story. My kids love to tell the story as they eat their canes. Come by later this weekend for some blog bling. Holly
I hear you! A couple of years ago I bought some labeled "party sticks"(!,and they had the most awful fruity flavour. Saw some of the EUR 1.50 ones this year, but when I went back to buy one to see if it was peppermint, they were all gone and they had weird coloured ones in their place. The nerve! I love how they look on the Christmas tree too so I'm going to keep searching.
P.S. Saw your comment at Raison D'Etre and wondered if you knew Claire from Cheeseburgers and Sauerkraut. She lives close to Bremen.
That is a bummer.
That is great info. I never knew it. Thank you for sharing this info.
Love candy canes...even used it on presents as ornaments on the bows!
Great weekend Frau~
xo*
What flavor are they?
If you send me your address I will mail you some : ) Oh yes I will!
I heard you don't get "peeps" at Easter either. Poor girl! I feel for you!!! Maybe if you put your boots outside for St. Nickolus Tag, St. Nicholas with put some in for you!
Really cool.. I have candy canes on my Christmas tree!!
I'm glad I read this, I love know where these traditions come from.
I didn't know their origin. I think they're pretty, but I do not like their taste.
Wow--not one box? But the ones at the Christmas markets are so lovely... Still, not one box?
I found some here at our Sam's style store. In England, they had a few boxes in the grocery stores, but I think it was mainly the American Expats buying them up.
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