It's About Time That We Posted Another Episode Of Junk Food and You

In this episode I answer the most common question I get as the Candy Critic, what's your favourite candy. I also talk about the greatest chocolate experience I've ever had, it might even be the greatest candy experience too.

Make sure to follow us on YouTube and Sound Cloud to keep up with all our podcasts.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for previews of our podcasts and other fun stuff.

CC

Candy News

This is your brain... This is your brain on chocolate... See it works so much better.

So what is a candy cane, where did they come from?  Here's all the information you're going to need.

This years trendy DIY sweet treat for the holidays?  Gingerbread.  Not that it wasn't popular before, but these year it seems to be exploding.  Here's some proof, here even more, and even more.

It turns out that the new folks at Hostess are looking to expand into the global market, that means that all you folks in Europe, Asia, and Australia won't have to pay premium prices for Twinkies anymore.

Nutella Bar opens in Chicago, on an unrelated note, anybody out there have a spare room in Chicago that I could move into?

I'm not sure how I feel about the trend to mix alcoholic drinks and sweet treats together, no matter how silly or strange the combination might be.  Sometimes it works naturally, other times...

If you want to keep up with all of the daily candy news that we come across as it happens, follow us on Twitter.

CC

Candy News

In 20 years, will we be eating the same amount and the same quality of chocolate?

I can't say that I've ever been in a store that specializes in Mexican candy before, but I'd like to.

New custom Ring Pops sound really great, if only I could propose to my wife again.

With the price of cocoa going up, chocolate makers are starting to change their recipes to keep prices down.

If you happen to visiting Chicago, you might want to sample some of their fine caramels.

When your box of chocolates says "Belgian Chocolate", it might not have actually been made in Belgium.  But that's going to change.

Watching candy getting made is a thrill, watching donuts getting made is the best way to start your day... assuming you have a donut in hand to deal with the serious craving you will have.

To dunk or not to dunk, according to science you'd better dunk.

If you've managed to avoid eating all of your Easter chocolate, here's a great guide to keeping your chocolate fresh.

If you want to keep up with all of the daily candy news that we come across as it happens, follow us on Twitter.

CC

Tuesday's Candy Links

"Wrap Rage", I've felt it, and so have you, don't believe me just try opening a pack of Dubble Bubble without ripping the comic in half.

Serious Eats has a list of their favorite Chicago dishes with Nutella in them.  Why stop in Chicago, why not list the best dishes in the whole world with Nutella.

Here's a little history about how Hershey's been helping out the US army for a long while now.

CC

Monday's Candy Links

The NCA posted a great collection of fun candy facts, did you know that "the scientific name of the cacao tree's fruit is Theobroma Cacao, which means "food of the gods!""

Did you know that there's a right way and wrong way to freeze cake?  Did you know that some people actually have leftover cake?

Here's another look at the candy museum in Chicago, think I might have to take a trip there soon.

I can't remember if I've posted about this before, but Goo Goo Clusters are 100 years old.

CC

Tuesday's Candy Links

It appears there's a Cadbury chocolate forgery ring in Indore.

Is Chicago the candy capital of the world, well they have a candy museum.

It appears that some people think those little detergent packages look like candy, that would explain my sticky laundry.

CC

My Kind Of Ice Cream Town

Did you know that some consider Chicago to be the candy capital of the United States?  From the history I've read on the subject, it apparently happened because of the geographical location of the city.  Chicago has been one of the biggest entry ports into the central US for a long time, and it also has great access to imported goods, such as sugar, because it's connected via the Great Lakes/St Laurence Seaway.  It's pretty impressive to think that I found yet another reason that this city might be the true sweet capital of the US and maybe even the world.

Click here to read the review and learn a little history.

CC

Great Looking Candy Documentary Called "Shelf Life"

I just checked out this great trailer for a documentary about candy, and I thought I'd pass it along. Here's a bio from the filmmakers:

"For 60 years, Lanzi Candy Company was one of dozens of family-run confectionaries that, along with candy giants Brach's, Mars and Fannie May, gave Chicago the title Candy Capital of the World.

Now, 25 years after Lanzi's candy was last produced in Chicago, entrepreneur Jerry Ostermann has set out to bring Lanzi's Cashew Nut Crunch back to the city. One problem: he has neither the recipe nor the machinery to make it.

Filmmaker Michael Lahey, whose grandfather Elmo founded Lanzi's in 1920, follows Jerry's quest to get Lanzi's back onto shelves and into the mouths of Chicago’s candy connoisseurs. At the same time, Lahey rediscovers his immigrant family’s remarkable history, and unwraps his city’s sugar-coated past. Shelf Life reveals what it takes to satisfy a city's sweet tooth in a story both personal and universal–– a story of love, greed and confectionary secrets."

Can't wait to see the whole film.

CC

The Candy Expo Is Over

It's been a few years since I've been able to make it down to Chicago to enjoy the largest candy show in North America.  I'd really love to go back and check it out some day.  When I did go I had a great time and I got to meet a lot of really great candy people.  Now all I get to do is read about it later and feel a twinge of jealousy when I see the free swag they had on offer.

Here's Serious Eats show wrap up.

Here's an article about what Jelly Belly brought to the show.

Click here to read about how sweet treats are vanishing from the show.

CC

Visiting Chicago?

It would be appropriate that the candy capital of the US has one amazing offer at one of their hotels.  Apparently the Ritz-Carleton hotel in Chicago offers a room service candy store.  With one call you can have the candy man come to your door, and for 5 bucks a pound, you can load up on sweets.

Click here to read more about the candy room service.

CC

Chicago's Candy Past

The AV Club in Chicago has a great interview with a historian that has a sweet tooth for Chicago.  Few people, with the exception of Leslie Goddard the historian, know how important Chicago was and still is in the candy business.

Click here to read the interview.

CC

Chicago the Candy Capital Of The World

Many people don't know that Chicago is one of the largest candy manufacturing cities in the world. A huge amount of candy business goes on there, the largest candy show in North America takes place there. Even look at the baseball stadium "Wrigley Field". Apparently there's going to be a show at the University of Chicago commemorating the candy business in Chicago. It might be worth checking out to learn how important this town is to the candy industry.

Click here for more info.

CC

Chicago Treat Tour

This article below features a tour of some Chicago spots to feast on treats. Eli's Cheesecake World and Long Grove Confectionery Chocolate Factory seem particularly interesting to me.

Click here to read the whole article.

CC

What Was Popular At The Chicago Candy Show This Year

Through some kind of crazy magic the folks at the NCA managed to find out what was the most popular treat at the candy show this year. This could be a look at what's to come in the candy world for the future.

Click here and see what will be available to you later this year.

CC

My Buddy Randy Must Be Sad

See my buddy/neighbour Randy is a huge Flyers fan, and he must be sad that they lost. I haven't seen him around since they lost so that means something. I just wanted to say that before I posted a link about the French Pastry School in Chicago and the tribute they made to support their winning team.

Click here to see what they made.

CC

Pictures From Chicago Show

I'm not sure if you know this but there's a candy show in Chicago every year. I've posted about a 100 post with announcements and highlights from this show. If you've missed them that's ok. I've discovered a collection of photos. If you want to go next year, you better own a candy company, a candy store, or be a candy blogger, because it's pretty much by invitation only.

Click here to check out the shots and decide if it's worth starting up your own candy blog.

CC

Great Overview Of The Candy Show

The Chicago Sun Times has a great, simple, easy to read overview of the goings on at the candy show this year. I like it because it's simple and to the point, I hate it because I wish I was there.

Click here to read the article.

CC

Chicago Candy Stores

In Chicago? Want some candy? Well this little list of Chicago candy stores should help you out. I've been contemplating making a complete list/Google map of candy stores around the world. The main problem with this task is time.

Click here to check out these Chicago stores.

CC

I Get It! I Know I Can't Make It To The Candy Expo! Stop Rubbing It In!

Over the last few days I've been inundated with articles about the Candy Expo in Chicago that I unfortunetly cannot attend this year. It sounds like a great show and it sounds like the new treats are better than ever. I'm really sad that I couldn't make it, reading articles about it both intrigue me and make me even sadder.

Click here to read about the top item displays at the show.

Click here to read about one reporters personal adventures at the show.

Click here to check out some of the new trends unveiled at the show.

If any candy company executives want to make me feel better with tons of samples from the show please leave me a message. Also be warned that more posts on the subject are coming, so if you feel jealous as well you might want to read with caution.

CC

Thank This Man If You've Been To a Movie In Chicago

Here's a great article about the 5th generation business owner who has been outfitting theaters with concession stand equipment for more than 100 years. Well he hasn't done it himself, but his family has been doing it. Sure you may not think about him when you go see a movie, but just once try eating cold popcorn and then write this man a letter and apologies for not giving him credit.

Click here to read this great article.

CC