Candy Canes were invented while trying to get the kids to keep quiet

Once choirmaster at the Cologne Cathedral in Germany felt tired of noisy kids that plagued him during a sermon, just when it was necessary to express our gratitude to the Lord. Then Chorus appealed to local confectioners with a request to make the children some sweet sticks that could inspire them, so they do not make noise during the service.

In order to justify a new and rather strange part of the ritual (previously no man gave candy to children during the sermon) Chorus asked to make pastry sticks in the shape of a shepherd's staff, the children remembered about the shepherd, the first who came to the baby Jesus.

The first candy canes were white, which was intended to remind children about the meekness of Christianity and the sinless life of Jesus. Lollipops quickly became popular and spread from Germany to other European countries, where they began to give the children for Christmas. In 1844 Candy Cane production was put on stream, and that's when they have acquired a distinctive minty taste.

via factroom.ru