Candy corn is 140 years old – find out more about the divisive treat
Oct 30, 2025, 6:58 PM | Updated: Oct 31, 2025, 12:08 pm
National Candy Corn Day is October 30, the day before Halloween. Some people love it and some hate it. It’s a very divisive candy treat.
Candy corn is 140 years old and was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger and originally marketed as “chicken feed”.
Candy corn is made with honey and other things that are not good for you. Sugar, corn syrup, salt, sesame oil, artificial flavor, food coloring, gelatin and confectioner’s glaze are main ingredients. We all know the gelatin can’t be good or explained.
Utah is the biggest consumer state, and 50 percent of people actually like candy corn. I should note that most of those 50 percent are older people, but that’s fine.
Every year, there are 35 million pounds of candy corn made.
Is there a right way to eat candy corn?
There are many ways to enjoy a piece of candy corn – fans feel strongly about their chosen methods.
According to National Confectioners Association Director of Public Affairs and Communications Carly Schildhaus, 57 percent of participants said they eat a whole piece at once; 28 percent said they start with the narrow, white end; and 15 percent said they start with the wider, yellow bottom.
Read more facts about candy corn here.
