Candy Canes

German settlers are believed to have brought candy canes to the United States during the 18th and 19th centuries. Originally, the candy cane was a plain white stick and it was only 100 years ago that candy manufacturers added the distinctive red “barber shop” stripes. The crook-shaped twist was also added at the top to encourage consumers to display them on Christmas trees. Another tradition associates the shape of the candy canes with the bishop's staff of St. Nicholas.