Category Archives: Chocolate

Chocolate candy news and trends from ACandyStore.com, the online leader in bulk chocolate candy.

How Hershey Is Saving Lives by Teaching About Farming

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Hershey recently announced a comprehensive plan to help save lives and make better chocolate. They are working with several partners to improve sustainable farming practices, reduce child labor violations and develop stronger communities in areas where cocoa farming is a major part of the economy.

The world famous chocolate company hopes to improve living conditions in these areas so farmers can improve yield and sustainability of their cocoa crop for decades to come. Bulk candy lovers everywhere should approve of that. Yes, it will mean continued enjoyment of Hershey’s chocolate candy down the line, but it will also guide the conditions under which the cocoa is produced to improve, and lives could be saved because of it.

Most of the cocoa in the world, over 70 percent, is grown in West Africa. This also happens to be one of the places in the most need of economic empowerment and community development. Conditions in farming communities in West Africa have been pretty bad. Child labor and poor health and education structures have meant worsening conditions in recent years. Hershey has decided that it is in everyone’s best interest for them to step forward and do something about it.

Through strategic partnerships, Hershey is adopting a multifaceted plan that it estimates will take five years and over $10 million to develop. The focus will be on accelerating farmer and family development by working with agriculture experts, community developers and governments to educate and encourage farmers. Providing resources to farmers is the first, and seemingly most important, step in the process.

An increase in cocoa yield of 50-100% is estimated for farmers who will be a part of Hershey’s program. By using the resources Hershey will provide, which includes not only knowledge of best practices but high-yield seedlings and organic fertilization, farmers could see a large boost in their family income. In regions where farming income is 50 percent of the local economy, the implications for such growth are very promising.
Working with partners like the Rainforest Alliance and Source Trust, Hershey will set up community based organizations where farmers can build community relationships, source improved planting material and get financing for further improvements to their farms.

In an effort to curb the unsafe and illegal child labor practices in the region, inspectors will monitor the practices of farmers who provide cocoa to Hershey. Through the Rainforest Alliance and local government, training programs will be set up to increase school attendance and improve schools.

In summing up, Hershey has decided to get involved in an area of the world with which it already has a symbiotic relationship. Hershey provides a large market in which farmers can sell their products and farmers produce the cocoa beans that are the very fabric of their chocolate candy products. Under this plan, farmers should make more money, communities develop, health and education improve, and children will be safer and healthier.

Support Hershey in their efforts to improve cocoa farming conditions. Buy Hershey’s chocolate candy from the online bulk candy store, ACandyStore.com.

To read more about their programs, go to:
www.HersheyCocoaSustainability.com

Shipping Candy

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Shipping candy is an art that requires wholesalers to have very specific methods in place in order to ensure that bulk candy shipments find their destinations in the same state they left the warehouse. In extreme temperatures this is not always an easy feat. Both candy wholesalers and retailers could tell stories of entire shipments that have melted, molded or faded into unrecognizable globs of goo. Candy is also heavy and so the cost of shipping over any distance will often run into ridiculously high amounts. Most retailers will look for a company that offers flat rate shipping to ameliorate that problem, even when special packaging for temperature is required.

That’s why retailers appreciate candy companies who spend the time and expense required to ship candy that always arrives as fresh and perfect as it was when it left the shop floor. Often this effort will garner customer loyalty even when competition is fierce in the industry. That’s because most retailers know that building a reliable relationship with a consistently competent candy wholesaler is not easy. It is a time consuming process, often encumbered with many trials and errors before the right company is found.

To achieve freshness that survives the delivery process it is imperative for candy wholesalers to streamline processes to ensure that candy is stored for a very short period, and that it is kept at the correct temperatures through every step of the candy shipping process. On hot days that will mean the candy wholesaler will have to take the time to pack the candy and or chocolate on ice and to ensure that warehouse temperatures are kept moderate. That kind of attention to detail isn’t something every candy wholesaler is willing to offer so, when you find one that will, they’re worth their weight in gold – or should I say sugar.

Confectionary, Chocolate and Candy Expos

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For those whom the love of candy extends from a personal passion to a professional enterprise it is expo season. Over the next few months candy makers, lovers and retailers will host expos all over America. The public and pundits alike will learn about candy and chocolate, discover brands and types they had never heard of and listen to keynote speakers address the latest trends and prospects in the world of candy and chocolate.

The next Chocolate World Expo show is just around the corner and will take place in New Jersey on Sunday, March 6, at the Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus, New Jersey. The Expo Center is part of the Harmon Meadow complex that includes seven hotels, major office buildings, movie theaters, and major retail establishments. The show will as always, offer tastings and sales of gourmet chocolates, baked goods, specialty foods, wines and more. The show is a favorite of both industry people and the public.

For candy lovers, PEZ in particular, but there is much more than just PEZ at this convention, there is the 13th Annual Northeast PEZ Collectors Gathering on April 7, 8 and 9, 2011 at the Holiday Inn Stamford Downtown, Connecticut. This show is a must for candy lovers and its fun for everyone. Some of the featured events on this year’s agenda include a PEZ scavenger hunt, room hopping as well as the usual raft of workshops and seminars.

The 2011 Sweets and Snacks Expo, sponsored by the National Confectioners Association, is the largest confectionery, cookie and snack show in the Americas. The EXPO features nearly 500 companies showcasing the most confectionery and snack products in one place making it the most valuable, time-effective event in the industry. Exhibitors at the EXPO are manufacturers of chocolate, candy, gum, cookies/biscuits; sweet snacks, nuts and savory (salty) snack goods. You will also find every other confection imaginable represented on the trade show floor, from the classic selections consumers buy year after year, to the hundreds of new products introduced. The show runs from May 24 to 26 at McCormick Place, Chicago.

The Philadelphia National Candy Gift and Gourmet Show is sponsored by the Retail Confectioners Association of Philadelphia (RCAP). The show focuses on the sharing of information and knowledge about candy making and retailing among Philadelphia area confectioners. Over the years, the local focus has expanded and the RCAP currently has over 300 active and associate members throughout the United States and Canada. Today these candy makers and suppliers still share information to maintain very high quality chocolate and hard candy. This show runs from September 11 – 13, 2011 at the Atlantic City Convention Center.

Whether you are in the industry or a product lover, trade shows are interesting and fun and an amazing way to find out about, and sample, new candy and chocolate and trends.

Candy and Chocolate History Timeline

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Candy and chocolate have been around for a long time, perhaps longer than you think.  The National Confectioners Association maintains a timeline of notable events in the world of candy and chocolate. You may be surprised at the age of some of your favorite habits – like chewing gum.

Pre-1800s

Evidence of gum chewing dates back to prehistoric times when people chewed on tree resin for pleasure and to freshen breath.

2000 years ago in equatorial Central America the Mayan Indians used cocoa in food and drink and Mayan writings refer to cacao as “food of the gods.”

Recorded history traces several types of candy back to the Egyptians 3,500 years ago. Boiled candies were popularized in 17th century Europe.

1800s

1893 William Wrigley, Jr. introduces Juicy Fruit gum and Wrigley’s Spearmint gum.

1896 Tootsie Rolls debut; introduced by Leo Hirshfield of New York who named them after his daughter’s nickname, “Tootsie”.

1900s

1900 Milton S. Hershey of Lancaster, PA introduces the first Hershey milk chocolate bar.

1902 Necco makes the first conversation hearts – tiny Valentine’s Day favorites with messages printed on them.

1910s

1912 Life Savers, the candy named for its ring shape with the hole in the center is introduced in peppermint flavor. It would be 22 years before the popular five-flavor roll is introduced.

1913 Goo Goo Clusters, a Southern favorite, is the first bar to combine milk chocolate, caramel, marshmallow and peanuts.

1920s

1920 The Baby Ruth candy bar is first sold; named for President Grover Cleveland’s daughter – not the famous baseball player.

1922 Hans Riegel invents a chewy candy called the “dancing bear”. Later this confection became known as gummi bears.

1930s

1930 M&M/Mars introduces the Snickers Bar, named for a favorite horse owned by the Mars family. It is the number-one selling candy bar in the U.S. today.

1932 Red Hots are made by Ferrara Pan Candy Company. These fiery little candy pellets are flavored with cinnamon.

1940s

1941 M&M’s Plain Chocolate Candies are introduced in response to slack chocolate sales in summer. Fifty-nine years later, M&M/Mars changed the name of this popular candy item to M&M’s Milk Chocolate Candies.

1942-1945 Women working on the Whitman’s Sampler production line secretly slipped notes to soldiers in those boxes destined for military shipment. The notes resulted in several long-term friendships and even a few marriages.

1950s

1954 Marshmallow Peeps are introduced by Just Born, Inc. in the shape of Easter chicks. Today, Peeps come in a variety of seasonal shapes and more than 2 million Peeps are made each day.

1954 Atomic Fireballs are introduced by Ferrara Pan Candy Company.

1960s

1960 M&M/Mars Starburst Fruit Chews are introduced and later fortified with 50 percent of the daily value for Vitamin C.

1963 SweeTarts, the candy pellets with the original sweet and tart flavor combination, are introduced.

1970s

1976 Introduced by Herman Goelitz Candy Company, Jelly Belly Jelly Beans offer consumers fun and unique flavors in a tiny jelly bean.

1979 TWIX Caramel Cookie Bars introduced in the U.S. by M&M/MARS

1980s

1980 Goelitz introduces the first American-made gummy bears and gummy worms. Formerly, these candies were imported from Europe.

1981 A European favorite since 1974, SKITTLES Bite Size Candies are introduced in the U.S. by M&M/MARS

1990s

1994 STARBURST Jellybeans introduced by M&M/MARS

1998 Holopops become the first hologram lollipops introduced by Light Vision Confections. The design on their etched surface appears to change as you move the pop.

Music and Candy

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The count-down to Valentine’s Day is truly on and for those who want to make a huge impression, it’s pressure time. If you have musical talent though, you are in luck and the battle is half won. Nothing will melt a woman’s heart (or a man’s) like a box of chocolates or flowers and a serenade. So get out your instruments and start tuning up because these are the most romantic and sexy love song suggestions and you may want to take a week to practice!

This one is short and sweet and will surely melt his or her heart. The song is by Candy Dulfer and it’s called, What Does it Take.

What does it take
To win your love for me
How can I make
This dream come true for me

Ooh I just got to know
Oh baby cause I love you so

I tried I tried I tried I tried
Every way I could
To make you see how much I love you
I thought you understood

Oh, I gotta make you see
What does it take to win
Your love for me

For the rapper or rockier music artist keen to put the love and the candy in the music, nothing will tell her how you feel like Candy by Kool Moe Dee. The part we can print (it is a bit forward) goes like this…

It’s like a million chocolate candy bars, chocolate kiss
But you go better with nut, so put me into your mix
I make it chunky but funky, a chocolate kiss with a twist
Cause I’m addicted like a junk food junkie, honey’s my fix
Since I’m Kool as ice cream maybe one day
I make your love come down and make a sundae
For breakfast, lunch or dinner you’re a tasty treat
Too much dessert can’t hurt, come taste and eat
Freak freak y’all, to the beat y’all
I’m droppin on honey like free fall
Happy as a kid inside a candy shop

This song is ‘slightly’ more suggestive and a good option for a valentine love you know quite well rather than a first date!

The Tradition of Valentine Candy

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Back in ancient Rome they used to celebrate a young man’s entry into adulthood, or his rite of passage, during an event called the Fertility Festival which lasted several days and began on the 13th. On the first day the festival opened dedicated to peace and love. During the second day, February 14, the names of willing single women were placed into an urn and one was drawn by every young single man. These paired couples were partners for the following year which, on the Roman calendar began that March. Although there was no guarantee of commitment often these couplings, after a year of being together, would result in marriage.

In the fifth century the Christian church in its efforts to stamp out such pagan and sexual conduct created a coinciding holiday celebrating a Christian saint remembered for his devotion to love (Saint Valentine). They retained the idea of drawing names from an urn but instead of placing the names of willing women into the urn they placed the names of saints for young women and men to draw out and emulate for the following year. Needless to say this tradition was not nearly as popular as the former version. The new tradition also took away what was previously a great opportunity for a single male to find a partner, and visa versa. To make up for this single men began creating presents of written greetings of affection for girls they liked. They would present these on the 14th of February.

This tradition spread and evolved over the years so that during medieval times in England the names of single men and women were put into urns and drawn in pairs. Each couple would exchange gifts and be sweethearts for a year in which the man was bound by honor to court and protect his sweetheart. This tradition was made official when King Henry VIII declared February 14, Saint Valentines Day.  The old traditions and the new were thus combined to create the Valentines Day we know today, in which sweethearts give each other gifts like flowers or candy and declare their love.

Do It Yourself Valentine Chocolates

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Nothing says I love you like an effort made to create something special, unique and home made for your sweetheart. Don’t worry that your valentine chocolate creations won’t look as good as store bought, the thought really is what counts and, believe it or not, it isn’t as difficult as you may think to create beautifully presented chocolate candy pieces. Ready to give it a go!

To begin with you will need

Ingredients:

Couverture or confectioners chocolate

You will also need:

Candy molds

Palette knife or metal spatula

Squeeze bottles

Pouring jug

Note: Couverture chocolate requires the cook to temper the chocolate. This chocolate tastes better but is harder to make

Directions

There are three options for melting the chocolate and each will have equally good results. The microwave is obviously the easiest but some may wish to infuse their chocolate with patient loving care over a slow cooker or double boiler. The perfect melted chocolate temperature will be warm on the wrist, not hot.

Microwave: place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and cook it on high power at 10-second intervals, stirring each time until the chocolate is just melted but not hot.

Slow cooker: set the cooker on low heat stirring occasionally and making sure the chocolate does not get hot. A slow cooker is great for melting chocolate and keeping it at just the right temperature.

Double boiler: For optimal temperature controls use this method. Set up the double boiler with a small amount of water but make sure the water does not touch the top of the pan or the chocolate. Melt the chocolate stirring occasionally until the mixture is smooth, and then remove the pan from the heat.

Once the chocolate is melted and creamy, spoon it into clean, dry plastic squeeze bottles or a pouring jug. Set the bottles or jug in a pan of warm water to stay at just the right temperature and be sure to dry the bottles before using the chocolate.

Use the squeeze bottles or jug and carefully pour the chocolate slowly into the molds, leaving back about half a cup of soft chocolate kept in a squeeze bottle in the warm water.

Using the palette knife or spatula, scrape off any excess chocolate. When the top of the mold is smooth and even, gently tap the tray of chocolates on the countertop to pop any air bubbles.

To make the chocolate harden quickly, put it in the freezer for a few minutes or simply refrigerate the chocolate until firm. Use the squeeze bottle and remaining chocolate to slowly and carefully pattern the tops of the chocolate molds and return them to the fridge for a few more minutes.

Once the chocolate and chocolate trim is firm enough come out of the mold, invert the entire mold onto a clean towel and twist very gently to release the chocolates. A box and some ribbon and you have created the ultimate valentines chocolate gift.

Valentines Day Candy

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Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, chocolate fondue for two anyone? A special trend for a unique and romantic date is chocolate fondue by a roaring fire. Fruit can be used for dippers but my personal favorite is marshmallows. The chocolate remains smooth and creamy over the fondue flame and is good for hours of candle/fire lit romantic banter.

The recipe:

7 ounces chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate

2 tablespoons lukewarm water

4 tablespoons heavy cream

2 tablespoons cherry or orange liqueur

1 tablespoon sifted, unsweetened cocoa powder

¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Marshmallows

Whole fresh strawberries

Thick slices of banana

Directions

In the bowl of the fondue pot combine the chocolate and water. Stir over warm water until the chocolate melts and is smooth. Add the cream, liqueur, cocoa powder and cinnamon. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Place the fondue pot over the fondue flame and arrange the fondue forks, fruit and/or marshmallows on a serving tray. Using the fondue forks spear a fruit or marshmallow, dip it into the chocolate sauce and enjoy!

Of course if you haven’t got time for this kind of Valentines Day effort, or if the relationship isn’t that intimate –yet, chocolate and candy are tried and true courting success. Excellent Valentines Day chocolate/candy choices include: pink or red milk chocolate hearts, valentine gummi sanded hearts, Peeps vanilla or strawberry cream hearts and of course chocolate roses. Or, what about conversation hearts candy? These are still my personal favorite because they recall the most innocent days of childhood when love was pure and uncomplicated. Those little hearts shared by friends with the words I Love You, Be my Valentine, I’m  Yours, I Hope, and a raft of other gorgeous little sayings that mean so much.

Say I love you with chocolate or candy and you are sure to get it right this year. Whether you choose a very adult romantic chocolate fondue for two, or the more playful conversation hearts which are certain to make your true love smile, you won’t go wrong with candy on Valentine’s Day.

New Year Candy

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New Year celebrations are gearing up for all of us celebrating January 1, on the Gregorian calendar and candy has its rightful place as part of any New Year party. Colored candy is really hot and so are candy buffets. It isn’t too late to order bulk supplies of colored candy for a brilliant and super stylish New Year event.

Folks in the western world aren’t the only people who herald the New Year with candy. Those who celebrate Chinese New Year also do so with special candy arrangements which are part of the celebration and luck bringing rituals of Chinese New Year. This year the New Year falls on February 3. A traditional Chinese candy tray is called the Tray of Togetherness and it is arranged in a circle or an octagon. Every item on the tray represents good fortune and it is customary for adults who take candy from a Tray of Togetherness to replace the candy with a red envelope containing money. Sounds lucky right there!

Each of the candies is placed on the tray in 8 segments because the number 8 in China is lucky in the same way that 7 is in the West. The individual candy types each have a distinct meaning.

  • Peanuts – long life
  • Ginger – many good sons
  • Lotus seed – many children
  • Candied melon – growth and good health
  • Red melon seed – dyed red to symbolize joy, happiness, truth and sincerity
  • Lychee nut – strong family relationships
  • Chocolate coins- prosperity
  • Coconut – togetherness

Another Chinese New Year favorite is chocolate candy (of course) which is easily made and is a really special treat; great if you want to try something a little bit different.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 cups butterscotch chips
  • 2 1/2 cups dry-roasted peanuts
  • 4 cups chow mein noodles

Directions

  1. Butter a 9×13 inch dish.
  2. Melt the chocolate and butterscotch chips in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Remove from heat and stir in peanuts. Stir in noodles until they are well coated. Press into prepared dish. Chill until set and cut into squares.

Whether you opt to go with the very popular colored candy options or if you decide to try something new and put a distinct cultural spin on your New Year activities, candy is sure to make the occasion sweet!

Candy Bar Controversy

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A man is suing the Toronto Santa Claus Parade after he was hit in the eye by a candy bar. The miniature chocolate candy bar was allegedly thrown into the crowd by a volunteer clown where it hit the man in his eye causing pain and permanent partial blindness. Despite the Canadian social safety net which would provide health care for any injuries sustained as well as unemployment insurance for loss of work, the man says the parade owes him $500,000.

The candy bar lawsuit was launched because the man claims that the clown should not have been engaging in an activity (throwing candy bars to kids) that they knew, or ought to have known, posed a danger to spectators. The candy bar claim also specifies that reasonable care should have been taken to ensure that spectators along the parade route were safe.

While there is no doubt of a general sense of sympathy for the man hit with the candy bar, the lawsuit is controversial because it calls into question the lengths required to ensure public safety at public events. There are certainly no other cases of candy bar maiming at Santa Claus parades in recent memory which begs the question, is an isolated incident involving one man and one candy bar, sufficient reason to end years of tradition? That is the possible consequence of the candy bar claim. If the parade which runs to a tight budget as it is, is required to compensate half a million dollars there is a good chance it will not survive.

Realistically it isn’t possible to anticipate every conceivable freak accident that can occur at an event, nor should that be reasonably expected. Apart from practical care by parade organizers, one might arguably suggest that the duty of self care must rest with individuals. If an accident does occur, well accidents do happen. The alternative is to be so wrapped in cotton wool that we will have to watch future parades from behind a Plexiglas wall.  The poor clown who threw the candy bar!