Plant-Based Candies: History, Ingredients & Varieties

Snack History Nostalgia Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆

Many people probably can’t imagine their lives without candies. They are a quick and easily bought sweet snack and bring joy to a lot, especially kids. While thinking of candy, you might just think of tons of sugar, gelatin, and aromatizers.

But do you have any idea that some candies come from plants?

It turns out that not all candies are based on animal-based ingredients. Instead, specific plants have a major role in making some types of candies. Even though you might be thinking you’re eating pure sugar while devouring your sweet snacks, you should know that a lot of very common candies come from plants that can easily be found in nature. 

In this article, we will talk about 5 of these unique types of candies.

1. Candy Cane

Who can imagine Christmas without iconic candy canes? These sweet snacks are especially convenient during times when you require a quick sugar boost without overdoing it. Considering that candy cane comes from a natural plant, it’s no wonder that this candy is a popular companion for entertainment activities, like gaming. For example, some gamblers even turn to a candy cane when they’re anxiously waiting for a Fun Casino code to pop into their inbox to lighten up their mood and soothe the tension.

One fun fact about candy canes is that they are made of sugarcane, a plant that looks similar to bamboo. Believe it or not, the stems of this plant are about 20 feet — even taller than giraffes. Sugarcane belongs to a type of grass and is made of its stems. This plant grows around south and southeast Asia and can be used for any kind of candy, not just candy canes.

2. Peppermint

Peppermint candies deliver pleasant, minty, fresh flavors. This refreshing candy is especially popular among those who frequently perform mentally demanding tasks, like writing or calculating. That’s because peppermint candies can easily boost consciousness and improve brain function, which makes it easier to focus on whatever work your mind has to do.

The plant peppermint is a type of herb and it can be found in Europe. From the plant’s leaves, we get one of the most amazing candies with their diverse taste. The most popular type of peppermint candy is indeed peppermint candy cane. But some other varieties include gums, taffies, York Peppermint Patties, Junior Mints, and more. 

3. Licorice

If you enjoy the chewy texture of candies, licorice candy was definitely made for you. Thanks to the various funky color options licorice candies come in, it’s not surprising that these candies are a real hit among kids.

Licorice candy is made of the roots of the licorice plant, which is a type of legume and it is about 50 times sweeter than sugar. This sweetness is what attracts licorice candy lovers. This plant can be sourced in Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. However, licorice candy is common worldwide.

4. Marshmallow

Even though most of the marshmallow types contain gelatine and animal collagen, there are others like Dandies Marshmallows that are plant-based. These marshmallows are extremely admired by vegans, as marshmallows make their vegan diet more diverse and provide more options for sweet snacks. 

Marshmallows can be a perfect soft and yet chewy sweet snack and a great topping for your beloved drinks. The marshmallow plant can be locally sourced in Western Asia, Europe, and North Africa. It is a flowering plant and according to history, marshmallows come from the sap of this plant. In ancient times in Egypt, the saps of marshmallow plants were used to cure soreness in the throat.

5. Cinnamon Candies

Finally, we’ve got cinnamon candies. You probably know that cinnamon is a special kind of spice that can be sweet but sometimes feels spicy in the mouth. In fact, it’s one of the oldest spices that exist and has always been used a lot in foods. It comes from a plant of an evergreen tree that originated in Sri Lanka. To make a cinnamon spice, only the bark parts of the tree can be used.

For those who enjoy this flavor, cinnamon candies are top choices. Specifically, you can hardly resist cinnamon products like the iconic Big Red Gum.

Bottom Line

As surprising as it may be, some of our most beloved candies actually have their roots in plants (quite literally!). All 5 candies mentioned above are popular around the world among candy lovers. The best part is that regardless of where you live, you can easily come across them in local stores. And now that you know the natural origins behind these sweets, you can appreciate them even more.