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Cotton Candy Facts Everyone Should Know

The modern cotton candy treat that is being enjoyed by nearly everyone from kids to adults has actually a long year of history to its credit. Originating back to the mid-18th century, this confection was originally an expensive treat that only the elite can afford. This is due to the fact that making the fluffy textured candy in those times was both labor intensive and expensive. Thanks to the invention of the cotton candy machine, this treat gradually evolved from a sweet treat exclusive to the rich to a confection available for everyone to enjoy. It has established an ubiquitous presence as a classic favorite in carnivals and fairs. It is also enjoyed by party goers at events such as birthday parties, christmas parties, and yes, even fundraising and wedding events.

The following are some facts about cotton candy that everyone should have fun knowing about:

Cool and Fun Evoking Names
Different cultures have different names for this treat, all of them evoking fun and enjoyment, which can be one of the reasons why the treat is such a hit. Americans and Canadians know it as Cotton Candy, while Australians and Britons call refer to it with sweetness as Fairy Floss and Candy Floss, respectively. On the other hand, Italians and French are indeed imaginative and creative in giving a name to this treat, with Italians calling it Sugar Thread and the French naming it as Papa’s Beard.

How Is It Made?
This popular confection is made up from only one simple ingredient, sugar. The sugar is melted and spun inside the candy machine. The melted sugar is the forced upon many holes of the rotating machine. As the machine rotates, the holes gives shape to the melted sugar as it traverses away from the center. It then acquires a fluffy, thready texture as it cools down. The collection of this fine sugar threads becomes the cotton candy that everyone enjoys.

Yummy Texture
Upon consumption, this confection dissolves easily in the mouth, adding that extra tickle to one’s taste buds. Because the ingredient is purely sugar, it quickly absorbs moisture and becomes sticky just a few minutes after being exposed to open air.

Nutrition and Health Facts
Although its main and sole ingredient is sugar, by comparison, a regular serving of this treat gives lesser calories than one can get in a regular cola drink. It does not cause tooth decay when consumed only in a moderate amount. Being sugar based, it is purely carbohydrate and is free from salts and fats.

Some History
The invention of cotton candy is credited to four men, namely: Josef Delarose Lascaux, William Morrison, Thomas Patton, and John Wharton. Wharton and Morrison is credited with inventing the first electronic cotton candy machine. This machine used centrifugal force to spin melted sugar. The spun sugar was forced through small holes and collected with a big bowl. The confection was first introduced to the public on a wide scale during the 1904 World Fair in Nashville, St, Louis.

Nonito Guntan

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