Availability and types
The unfilled candy is a very simple sweet: a small, hard or soft piece of sugar with flavor but without cream or filling inside. Because it is so uncomplicated, you can find it almost everywhere. In supermarkets they are sold in large bags or in small checkout bags. In drugstores and bakeries they are often individually wrapped next to chewing gum and other snacks. At fairs, in department stores or in confectionery shops they are usually kept in colorful jars or tins so you can see the varieties directly.
When it comes to where these candies come from and how they are made, it's useful to know that candies do not "grow" on plants. Instead, they are made in factories from sugar, water and flavorings. You can imagine it like cooking: sugar is heated and then mixed with flavors, colors and sometimes a bit of fat. These factories are located in many countries, especially where there is a high demand for sweets. Large manufacturers are found in Europe, North America and Asia. Small artisan producers or small candy businesses are often located in towns or in regions with a long candy-making tradition, for example in certain parts of Germany, Great Britain or France.
Although candies are not planted, some of their ingredients come from nature. For example:
- Sugar – is usually obtained from sugar beet or sugar cane. Sugar beets grow in cooler regions such as parts of Europe, while sugar cane grows in warmer, tropical areas.
- Fruit flavors – can be derived from real fruit or manufactured artificially. Real fruit concentrates come from fruit-growing regions.
- Herbal and plant extracts – such as peppermint or sage for cough drops come from gardens or fields where those plants are cultivated.
There are many varieties and variants of unfilled candies to suit every taste. Some of the most common are:
- Fruit candies – taste of strawberry, lemon, orange, apple or cherry. They are sweet and often colorful.
- Menthol and peppermint candies – provide a cool sensation in the mouth and sometimes help to free breathing. These are popular for colds.
- Caramel- or toffee-like candies – slightly softer and with a malty or buttery taste.
- Sour candies – often have a sour coating that gives a tingling sensation, similar to tasting a lemon.
- Sugar-free candies – use sugar substitutes instead of sugar. They are intended for people who want or need to eat less sugar.
- Traditional candies – in some regions there are typical recipes, for example herbal candies with old formulations that grandparents already knew.
Candies come in many sizes and packages: individually wrapped, in rolls, tins or large bags. When choosing a candy, pay attention to the flavor, whether you want sugar and whether there are any special ingredients like honey or herbs. That way you can easily find the candy you like best.
