How Sweet It Is! A History of Candy

From birth through old age, our taste buds respond eagerly to sweetness. Along the way, we develop teeth, and for some of us, we claim that every tooth in our heads is a “sweet tooth.” Candy manufacturers capitalize on this love of sweets knowing that the average American eats almost 25 pounds of candy per year. How did this obsession with candy evolve from ancient Egyptians binding figs, nuts, dates, and spices with honey through the Spanish introduction of Aztec chocolate to Europe? When did “sugar plums danced in their heads” give way to candy canes and the chocolate “wars” between Mars and Hersheys? Join us for a sweet trip through history. Note: A tasting fee of $15 is payable to the instructor because it’s fun to learn about food, but even more fun to taste it. Instructor is not responsible for weight gain due to this class!