Caramel and candy apples are well-known fall treats. They’re sweet, chewy, and delicious. Although they’ve been on the market for years, have you ever wanted to know the history of caramel and candy apples? Keep reading to learn their interesting origin stories and why this concentrated candy flavoring is a fan favorite.
The History of the Candy Apple
In 1908, candy-maker William W. Kolb invented the first candy apple in Newark, New Jersey. Kolb first united candy with apples while testing red cinnamon candy that he was making for Christmastime. Little did he know, he created a Halloween staple treat. Kolb dipped apples on a stick into the red cinnamon candy glaze and displayed it in his shop window. He wanted to entice customers to buy the cinnamon candy and thought apples were a perfect display model. However, customers were interested in the apple display more than the candy itself.
Kolb sold the apples for five cents and soon realized his creation could be popular. The candy apple became a crowd favorite at events on the Jersey Shore and a trendy trick-or-treat item. The popularity of the candy apple spread nationwide as it hit candy shops across the United States.
The History of the Caramel Apple
Kraft Food’s employee Dan Walker created the first caramel apple in the 1950s, about 42 years after the invention of the candy apple. After Halloween one year, Dan melted a large leftover stock of caramel to make a new treat. He dipped apples into the caramel as an alternative and healthier option for candy.
For several years, people dipped caramel apples by hand until 1960. Vito Raimondi made the original caramel apple machine. Since then, caramel apples have become a popular fall treat and Halloween staple.
Spin-off Apple Variations
In addition to caramel and candy apples, other sweet variations exist. “Taffy apples,” caramel apples with peanuts, are a well-known treat. Chocolate and jelly apples are also recognized variations. Over the past few years, confections such as Lollipops have candy apple flavoring, thanks to concentrated candy flavoring and other additive methods.
We hope that the history of caramel and candy apples gave you some insight into their interesting origin story. If you love the taste of candy apple, you should consider Get Suckered’s Candy Apple Flavoring. Get Suckered is the top flavor concentrate manufacturers with various candy flavored concentrates. Browse through our selection today for great flavoring options!