Why Do People Hate Candy Corn
Candy corns are one of our favorite holiday treats — they’re crisp and crunchy, they have bright colors and sweet flavors. But for some people, candy corn is more than just a tasty treat — it’s an expression of hate.
The New York Times published a story in November 2014 about people who dislike candy corn so much they’ve taken to harassing anyone wearing green-and-white costumes at Halloween parties. Some even go as far as to send threatening messages to children dressed up like the beloved confection.
“I don’t consider them real candy,” wrote one commenter on the article, “because I’m sure if you put your fingers inside it would melt away into puddle of sticky sugar syrup.” Another person went as far as to send a picture of a knife covered in blood to a school teacher dressed like candy corn. (That could explain all those weird art projects kids do this time of year). And someone else suggested sending candy corn to people who wear green-and-white outfits.
It seems that people really take their hatred for candy corn seriously. So what gives? Why does any self-respecting candy lover feel compelled to hurl insults at something everyone loves, especially during a season when we should be embracing each other? Is there anything wrong with eating a few pieces of candy corn?
Well… maybe. It depends how you eat them.
Some people are allergic to nuts, which include pistachios and cashews. If you’re allergic to these ingredients, then you might want to avoid eating candy corn altogether because pistachio kernels and cashew shells contain high levels of both salicylate and urushiol. Salicylates cause rashes, while urushiol causes contact dermatitis. The FDA recommends that people with allergies avoid consuming pistachios and cashews.
In addition to pistachios and cashews, many people also experience allergies to peanuts:
Peanuts are found in peanut butter, chocolates, ice cream, cookies, cakes and candy — including candy corn. Peanut oil is used in candies containing chocolate, caramel, coconut, fruit and nut oils. Even though only trace amounts of peanut protein may exist in peanut products, people with severe peanut allergies should avoid all foods containing peanuts.
If you think you’re allergic to peanuts but haven’t been tested, talk to your doctor before eating candy corn. He or she will give you the official verdict on whether you need allergy testing.
So let’s say you love candy corn — you eat it every day, and you never get sick from it. You’re probably fine. Still, there are some things to keep in mind before diving right in. For example, if you use toothpicks instead of forks when you eat it, you’ll ingest more bacteria and mold spores. Toothpick users may also swallow air bubbles, which can make your intestines churn.
Toothpicks aren’t ideal for everything. They’re best used for picking out individual seeds in popcorn rather than munching down large chunks of the stuff. To reduce the risk of choking, try using a fork to pick out larger clumps of cobs.
And lastly, if you choose to consume candy corn straight off the cob, please wash your hands thoroughly after touching the surface. Many people develop bacterial infections called necrotizing fasciitis due to germs left behind on unwashed surfaces. This infection can lead to gangrene, sepsis and death. Not fun!
Now that you know what you shouldn’t do, let’s move onto what you should. Most importantly, always follow the recommended serving size, and watch out for hidden sugars. When buying candy corn, look for packages marked with grams per serving. These numbers will tell you exactly how many calories you’re getting.
Also pay attention to portion sizes. In general, 1 ounce is equivalent to roughly 30 seconds worth of chewing — so watch yourself! One serving equals two tablespoons; you can also find serving-size information on the packaging.
Finally, don’t forget to brush your teeth afterwards. We all have cavities waiting to happen.
The bottom line is, enjoy candy corn. Just remember to respect the root of its creation — nature. Also, don’t bite off too much — moderation is key.
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