Today, candy comes in countless shapes and flavors, but thousands of years ago, sweet treats were rare and simple. Long before factories or refined sugar, people crafted small sweets using only the ingredients they could find.
The earliest candy appeared in ancient Egypt, where honey served as a natural sweetener. Egyptians combined honey with fruits, nuts, and spices to create small treats for festivals and ceremonies. Because honey was valuable, these sweets were mostly enjoyed by the wealthy.
Around 350 A.D., India discovered how to crystallize sugarcane juice, producing sugar. This early, unrefined form, called “khanda,” eventually inspired the English word “candy.” As sugar spread through Persia, the Middle East, and Europe, candy-making became more creative. Medieval cooks boiled sugar with herbs, ginger, and nuts, producing simple sweets thought to aid digestion.
Modern candy emerged in the 1800s with hard candies, caramels, and chocolate treats gaining global popularity. From ancient honey bites to today’s colorful confections, candy’s long history shows humanity’s enduring love for sweetness.
Nancy Ahmed Dagba For The Junior Times junior/1764893391/1613367831
1. When did India develop the process of crystallizing sugarcane juice?
2. Why were sweet treats mostly enjoyed by the wealthy in ancient times?
3. What ingredients did ancient Egyptians use to make early candy?
4. How did medieval cooks make simple sweets, and what were their purposes?
1. Do you enjoy eating candy, and which types are your favorite?
2. Are you interested in learning how candy was made long ago?
3. Which person in your life enjoys making or giving candy the most?
4. Who is a person you think would enjoy learning candy’s history?
Today, candy comes in countless shapes and flavors, but thousands of years ago, sweet treats were rare and simple. Long before factories or refined sugar, people crafted small sweets using only the ingredients they could find.
