Candy cane 232111 225599349 2008-07-14T14:18:36Z Tj9991 192259 Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/168.184.222.54|168.184.222.54]] to last version by Tj9991 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]]) [[Image:candy canes.png|thumb|right|Two candy canes, a traditional one (left) and a [[Spree (candy)|Spree]] flavored one(right).]] A '''candy cane''' is a hard [[cane]]-shaped [[candy]] stick. It is traditionally [[white (color)|white]] with [[red]] stripes and flavored with [[peppermint]] (also known as a '''peppermint stick'''); however, it is also made in a variety of other flavors and may be decorated with stripes of different colors and thicknesses. The candy cane is a traditional candy surrounding the [[Christmas]] holiday in [[North America]], although it is possible to find them throughout the year. The candy cane was originally a straight, hard, and all-white candy stick invented by French priests in the early 1400s. The cane shape is traditionally credited to a choirmaster at [[Cologne Cathedral]] in [[Germany]], who, legend has it, in 1670 bent straight [[sugar stick]]s into canes to represent a [[shepherd]]'s staff, and gave them to children at church services<ref>http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071225/HEALTH/712250313/1075</ref>. Another theory is that, as people decorated their [[Yule]] trees with food, the bent candy cane was invented as a functional solution. Candy with red stripes first appeared in the early 1900s.<ref>[http://www.jeffconews.com/Articles-i-2007-12-20-204861.114125_Candy_Canes.html Mile High Newspapers Online<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Postcards before 1900s show only white colored candy canes. ==Urban legends== In recent years, [[apocryphal]] origin stories for the candy cane have become popular. Usually they suggest the candy cane was invented by an [[United States|American]] [[Protestant]], usually described as being an unnamed candy maker in 1870s [[Indiana]], to represent Jesus. These stories typically suggest that the white of the candy cane represents Jesus's purity, the bold red stripes represents [[crucifixion]], and the three thin red stripes stand for the [[Holy Trinity]]. This legend further posits that the general shape is for the "J" in Jesus, as well as perhaps to resemble a shepherd's cane. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.snopes.com/holidays/christmas/candycane.asp |title=Candy cane |accessdate=2007-12-26 |last=Mikkelson |first=Barbara |date=2007-07-30 |work=Snopes}}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{wiktionary}} *[http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blchristmas.htm About.com]: History of the candy cane *[http://www.bobscandies.com/Tradition_CandyCane.htm The Tradition of the Candy Cane] [[Category:Christmas food]] [[Category:Confectionery]] [[de:Polkagris]] [[fr:Polkagris]] [[id:Permen tongkat]] [[simple:Candy cane]] [[sv:Polkagris]]