Tag Archives: halloween candy

Black Candy is Healthy and Fun

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Black Candy Licorice

Black candy has long been a favorite especially at Halloween but what many people don’t know is that most black candies contain either anise or licorice. Both of these have healing properties, vitamins and minerals but don’t tell the kids this sweet treat is good for them. This Halloween give black candy with a clear conscience.

Black candy containing anise

Anise, also known as anis or aniseed grows as a flowering plant in areas of the Mediterranean and Southeast Asia. It is the fruit of the flower that is known as aniseed and which contains the ingredient anethole. Anethole is a proven anti bacterial and anti fungal which is used in many ways other than creating delicious black candy. Anise is chewed to freshen breath and it is also worn to ward of mosquitoes. In some countries anise has been used by women for centuries to enhance fertility and limit the discomfort of other feminine conditions.

Most commonly though anise is used as a flavoring in food, candy and some of the most delectable liqueurs in the world like ouzo and sambuca. In AcandyStore.com anise is a key ingredient in a number of favorite confectionary products including anise squares, bears and black taffy candy.

Black candy containing licorice

Most people would be surprised to hear that licorice is in fact a legume, like a bean or a pea. It is perfect for making sweet treats of course because of its wonderful flavor and aroma but also because in its natural state, it is actually considerably sweeter than sugar. Besides being a wonderful black candy base and flavoring for less palpable necessities like medicines, licorice candy contains healing properties within its elemental ingredients. The healing properties of licorice are mainly attributed to the compound glycyrrhizic acid.

Licorice is commonly used in Japan for the control and treatment of viral hepatitis. Outside of Japan the strong anti viral component of licorice has been tested in the treatment of sarcoma and herpes and is used as an aid for healing stomach and duodenal ulcers and to soothe stomach aches. For more severe stomach ailments licorice can be used to treat ileitis, leaky gut syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome and Crohn’s disease. Although not a cure for these ailments, licorice has been shown to alleviate the symptoms and discomfort associated with them.

Some studies have shown initial results which suggest that licorice may inhibit brain enzymes involved with producing stress related hormones which have been connected to mental decline in the elderly. In other countries, like China, licorice is used to harmonize the body and relieve spasmodic coughs. Herbalists use licorice in anti cancer formulas and believe it is effective in auto immune conditions like lupus, some allergies, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. Naturopaths utilize licorice benefits to relieve mouth ulcers, peptic ulcers, as a mild laxative and a topical antiviral for other ulcerations and sores.

The uses and healing properties of licorice are such that you may want to save it for after all the other Halloween candy is eaten and the children are in need of a soothing stomach and calming remedy, then bring out the black candy.

Traditional and Seasonal Candy Displays

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AllBusiness.com notes that while “Retailers have done a good job bringing shoppers to the candy aisles. It is time now, many experts agree, to refocus on traditional and seasonal categories.” The point that they are trying to make, and with which many candy wholesalers would agree, is that now that customers are back in the candy stores it is important to offer exciting and innovative presentation. This is particularly true for traditional and seasonal candy. In order to enhance the shopping experience and bring candy products on par with the contemporary creativeness of other branded products innovation is necessary.

The ways to highlight traditional and seasonal candy stands are endless of course but some success stories of well merchandised bulk candy sections make great examples and provide food for thought. Experience shows that the most important aspect of bulk candy sales is placement. High traffic areas are essential as the decision to buy traditional or seasonal candy is often an impulse, determined more by visibility than by price. In stores that sell items other than bulk candy that is particularly important.

The best type of display for bulk candy is an either inverted or extroverted circular design in a self contained area. Within the circular design, specific themed areas are very successful and this is where a merchandiser is well advised to place the traditional and seasonal candy section. Impulse products like bulk candy need a wow factor to attract and entice the customer. Excellent suggestions are towers above clear bins, or false fronts, showing candy. This will add excitement and visual appeal to bulk displays.  For the traditional and seasonal candy area curved bump-out areas will draw additional attention to that specific unit. Well lit displays are also more appealing and attract more customer attention.

Some of the specific bulk candies that might be featured in a traditional and seasonal candy display are of course Halloween candy, but there are quite a few other events and ceremonies which include bulk candy. Both Hanukkah and Thanksgiving have many of their own special candies identified with the occasion.

For Hanukkah consider a display of Hanukkah fruit flashers, chocolate gold coins, silver coated chocolate hearts, blue raspberry fruit sours, silver Jordan almonds, blue and silver chocolate meltaways, blueberry Star of David crystal cuts, jelly belly Hanukkah mix, Hanukkah lollipals, Chanukah discs, Chanukah coins and Hanukkah dreidel filled coins. These will make a spectacular feature display of sparking golds, silvers and blues.

For Thanksgiving, or even an Autumn themed stand or display, try exhibits of candy corn, sunflower tangy candy, lemon crunch leaf candy, Thanksgiving turkey suckers, fall mint truffles, gold milk chocolate stars, bronze and brown dark chocolate hearts, milk chocolate autumn leaves, large or miniature milk chocolate turkeys, jelly belly autumn mix and jelly belly fall festival mix.

Thanksgiving and Hanukkah themed displays presented alongside a Halloween display will offer eye catching contrast of theme and color which if presented well, will be tasteful and very attractive indeed.