Seven Candy Cane Facts or Fiction?

“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”
Will Ferrell’s Buddy the Elf

In 1670 a choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany was responsible for keeping his young singers quiet during the Living Creche ceremony. He ordered some white candies bent into the shape of shepherds’ crooks. The children were delighted to be able to have something sweet to suck on during their quiet period. This story passes on as a legend. History cannot confirm the accuracy of this story, but it makes for a good one.

Fact #1.
Candy canes are the №1-selling non-chocolate candy during December, with ninety percent of the red and white striped treats sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Candy canes are one of the most popular decorations for Christmas trees. Children can hang them on the tree without fear of dropping them and having them break. If they break, eat them.

Fact #2
In Germany, the board at the Cologne Cathedral told the choirmaster that sweets were not appropriate in a solemn place. The choirmaster created a hook for the candy cane to resemble the shape of a shepherd’s staff, representing the humble shepherds who were first to worship the newborn Christ. The Christmas candy cane is a symbol of the simple roots of Christianity.

Fact #3
Candy Canes were only white for 200 years. The solid white canes made their debut on Christmas cards in the early…