Americans are divided – on sweet corn

Of all the Halloween treats available, from Almond Joy to Twix, the worst is sweet corn. Who would even think of passing these granules of earth to a feast? Trick is more like that.

But apparently, legions of Nevadans, Utahns, Michiganders, and Pennsylvanians, yes, even New Yorkers love these products, especially in this time of year, where 70% of the candies are sold and tons of these products discharged in those States.

Jelly Belly Candy Co. has been manufacturing cores since 1898 – longer than anyone else – but now competes with Brach and others for annual sales, which the National Confectioners Association estimates total $ 36 million.

(Fun fact: some weird individuals like to discuss the brand that tastes best.)

At least 16 states and Washington, DC, have distributed enough sweet corn to place it among the top 3 Halloween treats according to a ranking by candystore.com. And in seven states, it's number one.

The interactive map of Candystore.com, which has toured the past few weeks, presents a weighted average of 11 years of sales data showing candy books sold from August through October. The data, which has been provided to the online retailer by more than 40 manufacturers and 15 distributors, is not necessarily representative of all candy sales in the United States and a full account may change the ranking.

"The problem is that candy manufacturers and distributors who have submitted their data may differ from those who have not disclosed their data," said Rebecca Goldin, a professor of mathematical sciences at George Mason University. .

However, according to reports in the press, few people questioned the results.

The West Virginia media did not let go to consider Blow Pops as the number one in the state, and South Carolina just put Skittles at the top of its list – because, guess what? He dropped sweet corn from first place, as reported by the two largest state newspapers.

But some states have bristled or simply been confounded by their ranking in candy.

"Just like the Detroit Lions, Michigan disappointed us once again," the Detroit Free Press said, learning that for a third year, sweet corn was ranked as its No. 1 treat.

Some would have said that fudge would have made more sense.

"It's probably not something that many kids will find in the bags, but if you're talking about a candy that defines Michigan, then the fudge is what it takes," said Michelle Grinnell, Director of Public Relations, Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Delaware did not oppose the candy cited as its most popular. He simply did not understand the result – Life Savers, a candy that was not in the top 3 of other states, let alone in the first position.

"People thought it was a little strange," said Michael Chesney, director of communications for the state's small business, development and tourism division.

So odd, in fact, the News Journal, Wilmington's main newspaper in Delaware, reported the discovery under a headline that said, "Wait, what?"

According to Mr. Chesney, the feast in Delaware is the saltwater draft – a candy that Candystore.com ranks among the top 3 in Tennessee and Wyoming (wait, what?) And No. 1 in Washington and the United States. Nebraska.

"Different regions prefer one candy or another, and it's hard to determine why," said Tom Hoeck, president of candystore.com. "Swedish Fish was a new winner in Kentucky. Massachusetts, Maine and New York preferred Sour Patch Kids. "

In the United States, candy is a $ 35 billion industry that employs 54,000 people in nearly 1,300 manufacturing facilities in all 50 states, according to the National Confectioners Association.

These workers support the sweet taste of the average American, who eats candy two to three times a week, worth 40 calories, or a teaspoon of added sugar a day, according to Christopher Gindlesperger, spokesman for the association.

This year, sales of chocolate, candy, gum and mint are expected to reach $ 4.4 billion, Gindlesperger said. When you think about it, sweet corn makes up less than 1% of all sales.

As for Michigan, it may be time to adopt the yellow, orange and white candy because, like it or not, it seems to be very popular there.

Kassem El-Hourani, head of Bulk Food Warehouse in Dearborn, Michigan, said he sold between 300 and 400 pounds each October and was not the only one.

"Last week, I received a call from someone who wanted 500 pounds," said Imad Berro, director of Roger's Bulk Candy and Ice Cream in Eastpointe, Mich. "I could not find that number."

An order of corn candy too big to be filled? Now it's scary.

Write to Jo Craven McGinty at [email protected]