What is Christmas ribbon candy? The tradition of eating these colorful and nostalgic confections has been around for centuries. Whether originating in Europe or the United States, ribbon candy has become a classic holiday treat. In addition to its nostalgic appeal, ribbon candy is a delicious snack to enjoy with family and friends.
Christmas and Ribbon Candy
Its popularity is rooted in the fact that it's often served in unique desserts and milkshakes. Hence, it's not hard to find recipes for Christmas ribbon candies. Sevigny was the first confectioner to produce ribbon candy, which still makes this popular holiday treat under the Sevigny name. This company also makes other candies, including old-fashioned and filled hard candies. Today, several companies produce ribbon candies, including Braches and Hilliard's. While different flavors have been added to the traditional peppermint flavor, the original red and white ribbon candy is still the most popular.
Confectioners began making these sweets to decorate their Christmas trees. They first modeled the candy around a thumb. Then, in the 1800s, mechanical crimpers were created to mimic the curl applied by hand. Candy makers could feed the ribbon into the crimper, which was then manually turned. As the curly candy came down a conveyor, the confectioner would use scissors to cut it.