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Numerous things make up one’s childhood. It can range from films, photos, people, to even the food one grows up with. The most popular childhood memories for many would probably be the exact moment when your mother, father or anyone from the family gave you a candy, wrapped in a colourful packet. And when you popped it in your mouth, the burst of sugar and other flavours just lit up your world. You felt like the best person in the world. As kids, walking into a candy shop used to be a highlight. A big candy-based lollipop, cola-filled gummies, or even wax candies. The shelves used to be filled with jars full of vintage treats. The air used to be filled with the scent of confections and children's giggles.
Image Credit: Tootsie Rolls
The ability of retro candies to reduce the generational divide is arguably one of their best features. Parents and grandparents frequently remember the candies they had as children. Their children and grandkids are introduced to memories and flavours as they excitedly share the love of their beloved sweets with them. It's the new normal to appreciate all things vintage. With that being said, wax candies have recently become extremely popular worldwide. You've most likely come across a wax candy if you've ever opened a sweet treat that's a bit more than just sugary bliss. Whether you grew up in the 80s or are just now learning about it, this piece of candy is making headlines once more. What is wax candy, though, and why is it gaining popularity once more? Explore the intriguing realm of a wax candy, which usually has a sweet jelly filling, and all in between.
History Of Wax Candies
The history of wax candy is somewhat bizarre, and nobody is certain when it took place. Nik-L-Nips wax bottles are still widely consumed today and are thought to be the first type of wax candy. Vinny Cavallo is given credit for them, but that's the only accurate information available. The majority of people believe that wax candies were first sold by W. & F. Manufacturing Co., Inc. in the early 1900s. Others suggest that during Prohibition, they gained popularity. At that period, alcohol was prohibited in the United States. In speakeasies, which are underground bars, people began creating novel appetisers and drinks.
Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Wax candies are said to have been connected to another rapidly expanding industry at the time. Oil was discovered in Pennsylvania in 1859 by a man named Edward Drake. The oil industry began with this. Back then, kerosene for lights was made from oil. Paraffin wax was another oil-based substance. Candy manufacturers discovered that paraffin wax worked well for their confections. Wax candies began to be produced during that time.
Candy manufacturers were experimenting with creating chewing gum out of paraffin wax at the same time that kerosene refining was in full swing. The idea of working with paraffin wax for a candy isn't all that uncommon. Chewing gum has some very antiquated roots, and attempts to modernise it in the 19th century ultimately failed due in large part to a subpar feel. These vibrant candies come in a range of entertaining designs, such as little bottles or wax lips, and they have a delicious, juicy content that makes biting into them an unforgettable experience. You're going to love wax candy jelly if you haven't had it before! It is a thin, waxy surface with a chewy, flavourful interior.
The Comeback Of Wax Candies
The special blend of wax and jelly produces the unusual texture contrast. The jelly filling inside explodes with sugary delight, while the wax shell adds a layer of curiosity. Chewable candies with flavoured syrups have become popular on social media, with everyone from influencers to ASMRtists posting about them. After the liquid has been drawn out, the wax coating covering the candies has to be chewed and discarded if you don’t like it. But the wax coating is created to a food-safe, non-toxic level, much like chewing gum; it’s up to you. The first wax candies were called ‘Nik-L-Nips’ and came in the form of little bottles. The initial cost of a ‘nickel’ and ‘nip,’ which was the common method of opening wax bottles in the middle of the 20th century, is combined in the name. The wax candies come in a variety of shapes, including lobsters, butterflies, and castles. In order to provide the traditional ‘ASMR’ crunch that many TikTokers, Instagrammers and YouTubers enjoy, the contentious candies are typically eaten frozen. They have received thousands of good and critical replies on all these platforms, demonstrating their popularity.
Image Credit: Reddit
Another interesting thought of ideas around candies in general that gained immense popularity was when a brand named Let Them Eat Candles, founded by wife-husband duo Loree Sandler and Bob Michaelson, made their appearance on Shark Tank US Season 15. The idea came into being when she saw wax melting into the birthday cake for her son. She started testing products, making moulds, designing packaging, and selling to bakeries after attending classes on chocolate and food business at the French Pastry School. Later, she improved and streamlined her procedures to make them more sustainable and effective. These edible candles are made from milk and dark chocolate and come in seven various patterns; circles, swirls, spirals, stars, waves, numbers, flowers and one with sprinkles. On Shark Tank India as well, a company named Niblerrzz pitched their healthy, free, gluten-free and 100% vegan candy business. The idea behind the entire company, as Aashnee Gajaria and Sandhya Seshadari envision, is to divert the people of the country to a healthier lifestyle, but still giving them access to something that has a taste of sugar and is naturally sweet. While the West is very strict on the ratio of salt and sugar, that isn't the case in India, and so, Niblerzz took shape to provide natural fruit and plant-based candies to everyone. At the moment, they have three types–orange, mango, and mixed fruit.
Image Credit: Let Them Eat Candles
Image Credit: Niblerzz
Making Wax Candies At Home
Wax candies are perfect if you want to start a conversation at your next get-together. It's likely to be a pleasant topic of conversation, whether you're introducing friends to a new treat or reliving a memory. In contrast to many modern candies, wax candy provides a unique sensation. It's a more engaging treat that goes beyond taste because of the combination of textures.
