Sweet Tooth

I just finished a book about the history of candy. What could be a better distraction during the dark snowy, icy, frigid days of January than a journey down sweet treat road? Not surprisingly, the author pointed out that we have been chasing the world of sweets since our first ancestors tasted the goodness of honey and boiled sap. Manufactured candy is the point at which our relationship with candy became interesting. Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? Will it make you fat? Can it keep you thin? In case you are wondering, the answer is yes to all of the above. Start the debate.

Candy is a well-advertised commodity but, in reality, we probably need little coaxing to enjoy a sweet treat. Our memories of candy are most likely more positive than other food memories such as our interactions with foods like turnips or liver. Some foods are a tough sell any way you slice it but candy stands alone.

My childhood was not filled with candy. I suspect cost was one factor. Money was tight for us so candy was viewed as a luxury. My grandmother had the infamous bag of Brach's mixed candy in her kitchen cupboard. The door of the cupboard had a set of metal measuring cups hanging on the inside so whenever we stealthily opened it we were busted as the cups clanged out an alarm. I don't think grandma minded but we always felt a little extra naughty at that moment. The candy did not disappoint, however.

We were not allowed to trick-or-treat and Easter was never about rabbits or baskets of goodies but Christmas involved a paper sack of treats after the annual children's Christmas program. It was a well deserved reward after enduring Saturday practice sessions, stuttering over memorized pieces and parading on and off the stage singing Joy to the World. My siblings and I foraged through our little bags all the way home as we planned our strategies for making the candies last as long as they could.

I don't remember a favorite candy of my youth. I remember a few that were less appealing, however. Necco wafers seemed to push the boundary of being a treat. The powdery dust, dull colors and odd flavors were a mix I found strange. Candy necklaces were also more of a novelty than a tasty treat, never mind their value as a fashion statement. The worst candy for me was divinity. I think sucking on a sugar cube is a better option than enduring a sticky blob of divinity.

Over the years, my sweet tooth has diminished. Given the option of a bowl of candy or a bowl of potato chips, there is no contest. Pass the chips, please. But, woman does not live by chips alone so candy is not a stranger in my house. Chocolate is on the top of the list and I do love a good cinnamon disk. Altoids are also a staple but I put them in the category of breath freshener rather than candy. And chocolate chips are a baking ingredient so they hardly count as candy, right? Another debate.

I hope your candy bowl is filled with whatever it takes to bring a little joy into your January days. As Julie Andrews sang so sweetly, "A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. In a most delightful way."