Sweet Spot

Swirling butter and brown sugar into creamy caramel. Tossing melty chocolate with nuts and marshmallows. Boxing homemade confections, lickable lollies and creating colorful jars of gumdrops or jellybeans as gifts.

Whatever your guilty pleasure, candy makes the grade for most consumers as a holiday indulgence, Halloween must-have or affordable luxury in difficult times. In the past year, while most industries have seen sales slow due to a weak economy, the candy industry is reporting robust returns. That’s because candy is an easy and affordable indulgence.

Here’s the truth about candy, according to the National Confectioners Association:

Myth: Candy causes tooth decay.
Truth: Any high-sugar product is bad for your teeth. But everything depends upon quantity and frequency – anything in moderation is ok. And followed by zealous tooth-brushing, even a sugary indulgence won’t do permanent damage.

Myth: There’s no such thing as healthy candy.
Truth: While lollipops, candy canes and gummi bears are full of sugar, they don’t have much else, making them low in fat and cholesterol. Candy corn contains fewer calories than an equal amount of raisins.

Myth: Chocolate is not one of the good-for-you food groups.
Truth: Wrong again! Chocolate comes from cacao beans, which are considered a vegetable. Sugar comes from sugar cane or sugar beets, both plants.

Myth: Chocolate can be lethal.
Truth: Only for dogs! (Theo bromine, an ingredient that stimulates the heart muscle and central nervous system, makes chocolate toxic for dogs. Two ounces of milk chocolate can be poisonous for a 10-pound puppy.

Candy refers to any sweet treat made from sugar and dolled into a colorful, fun confection. The first candies consisted of fruits and nuts rolled in honey, and the first box of Whitman’s chocolates was created in 1854.
It’s been a steady race ever since, with many of today’s favorite candy bars enjoying longevity of 60 years or more!
Stock up now for Halloween night give-outs…you’ll always find quality candy at Hiller’s.

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