There’s something about unwrapping a candy cane that hits a very specific part of my memory. The crinkle of the wrapper, the peppermint rush, the instant sense that yes — the holidays have officially arrived. It’s one of those snacks that doesn’t need to try. It just is December.
So, for the very first entry in the Snack File archives, I’m starting with the twisty, nostalgic classic that’s been part of every winter of my life: candy canes.
A Twisty Little History
Candy cane history is a little chaotic in the best possible way. There’s the 17th-century German choirmaster who supposedly handed out sugar sticks to keep kids quiet in church (a respectable strategy). Someone — either this choirmaster or a very tired candy maker — bent the tops into shepherd’s crooks so the whole thing felt more “church sanctioned.”
By the mid-1800s, people in the U.S. were hanging plain white sugar sticks on Christmas trees. No stripes. No peppermint. Just… white candy sticks pretending to be ornaments.
The red swirl? The peppermint? The whole festive look? That didn’t really lock in until the early 1900s.
And in one of my favorite examples of “fine, I’ll build a machine to do it,” a man named Gregory Keller created the candy cane–bending machine in the 1920s so workers didn’t have to shape each one by hand. Honestly? Hero.
Candy Canes in Pop Culture
Candy canes show up everywhere, and honestly, I think that’s part of why we love them.
Buddy the Elf pretty much canonized them as December essentials (“candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup”). The candy cane forest? Perfection.
They’re all over The Grinch, Home Alone, vintage holiday cards, storefront windows, and every Target display that wants you to know it’s holiday time whether you’re ready or not.
Candy canes aren’t just candy. They’re a seasonal aesthetic.
The Official Snack Society Taste Test
Here’s the thing: I was going to try a bunch of wild candy cane flavors for this episode.
There are so many out there now — pickle, mac & cheese, jalapeno, bacon — and yes, I found them all online. But when it came time to record, I reached for the original.
Because truth be told, I love the classic.
The red-and-white swirl.
That icy-cool peppermint.
The ritual of peeling the wrapper and trying not to break the hook.
There’s nothing quite like it.
That said, I’ll keep my eye out for some oddball flavors this season. And if you find a good one (or a truly terrible one), send me a report. I’m always taking submissions for the archives.
Final Verdict: Classic candy canes are timeless. A simple reminder that not every snack needs a twist — sometimes, it’s the swirl that does the trick.
Snack File Travel Tie-Ins
Because the Snack Society is part of the Roaming Yeti universe, I am going to try to spotlight places you can actually visit if this snack has you feeling a little wanderlust. And candy canes might be the most road-trip-friendly holiday snack of all time.
Here are a few candy-cane-themed places to add to your December travel dreams:
Disneyland Resort — Anaheim, CA
Every year, Disneyland and Disney California Adventure hand-pull enormous candy canes the old-fashioned way. People line up at sunrise to snag a wristband for one. It’s part snack, part spectacle, part bragging rights.
Hammond’s Candies — Denver, CO
This historic candy factory offers behind-the-scenes tours where you can see candy canes stretched, twisted, and hand-shaped. The gift shop alone is worth the trip.
Spangler Candy Company — Bryan, OH
Home of Dum-Dums and one of the biggest candy cane producers in the U.S., their trolley ride + museum combo is pure small-town Christmas charm.
Or honestly? Any old-fashioned candy shop in a historic downtown has its own magic — candy canes are best when bought in a festive setting.
Final Thoughts
For a snack made of basically sugar and air, candy canes carry an incredible amount of nostalgia. They show up every year, do exactly what they’re supposed to do, and make everything feel a little more festive.
If you’ve tried any wild flavors or have a personal favorite, let me know — the archives at Snack Society HQ are always open for new submissions.
