WWW.SUGARPRODUCER.COM 23
and the local apothecary was also the
local candymaker. Medicine widely used
at the time was usually unpleasant tasting
herb concoctions. The medicines were
suspended in sugar and peppermint
was added to mask the flavor and help
the patient more easily ingest them. By
the 19th century, candy making had
become a separate profession. The price
of sugar fell after the Civil War, which
opened the door to the rise of candy, and
peppermint was a popular flavor in both
Europe and the United States. (2)
By the turn of the 20th century, red
stripes started to appear on candy canes.
The stripes have often been attributed to
Georgia candy maker Bob McCormack.
His company, "Bob's Candies," became
the leading producer of peppermint
candy during the late 1950s.
Prior to the 1950s, making candy
canes was a labor-intensive process. (5)
The candies were made by hand from
large masses of red and white sugar
syrup. The canes had to be twisted
manually as they came off an assembly
line to create their curved shape, and
breakage often ran over 20 percent. (6)
McCormack's brother-in-law, Gregory
Keller, a Roman Catholic priest, invented
and patented a machine to automate
candy cane production in 1957. The
Keller Machine twisted the soft candy
into spiral striping and cut it into precise
lengths as candy canes. This automation
allowed McCormack to mass produce
candy canes and increased production
from thousands of candy canes per day
to millions. (7,2).
Whether you need to keep the
kids quiet, are looking for festive tree
decorations, or pausing to reflect on
the meaning of Christmas, candy canes
are the perfect way to celebrate the
holiday season. n
Sources:
(1) https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-candy-cane-day-december-26/
(2) https://theconversation.com/the-history-of-candy-canes-and-why-they-taste-so-cool-
128036#:~:text=Most%20people%20love%20peppermint%20candy,the%20cooling%20
sensation%20of%20mint.
(3) Collins, Ace (2003). Stories Behind the Great Traditions of Christmas. Grand Rapids,
Michigan: Zondervan. ISBN 0-310-24880-9 – via Google Books.
(4) https://books.google.com/books?id=kouqQnLl7V4C&pg=PA405
(5) http://www.candyhistory.net/candy-origin/candy-cane-history/
(6) https://alwaysatreat.com/candy-moments/winter-holidays-central/candy-canes/
(7) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_cane#cite_note-History-8
(9) https://www.thespruceeats.com/candy-canes-recipe-521012
www.brillionfarmeq.com
The Heavy-Weight in Pulvi-Mulchers Gets BIGGER.
The 3600 Series Pulvi-Mulcher from Brillion
features wider working widths, increased trash
clearance and reduced downtime in the field.
The series is available in 21', 25', 30' and 36'
working widths. The 30' model weighs 80%
more than the popular WL360 for more clod
crushing power. The 36' unit is the widest Pulvi-
Mulcher offered by Brillion.
All 3600 Series models feature 8" roller axles with
heavy-duty bearings that improve reliability and
reduce maintenance interruptions in the field.
The design includes three rows of two-piece
edge bent s-tines on overall 6" spacing. 25"
of under frame clearance improves trash flow
through the machine. A leveling harrow in
front of the rear roller helps level ridges left
by the shanks.
New to the 3631 series is the 24" Notched Ductile
Iron wheel to provide even more clod crushing
power with its heavy weight.
Brillion, WI 54110
855.320.0373
©2021 Brillion Farm Equipment
Scan this code or visit
our website to learn more.
4516-13BrillionFarmEquipment12h.indd 1 4516-13BrillionFarmEquipment12h.indd 1 10/12/23 11:14 AM 10/12/23 11:14 AM
