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December 22, 2006
The Candy Cane Problem
I had a day off last week, so I went looking for candy canes. I like putting them on the tree and using them to spiff up my wrapping jobs (I use mostly fabric and yarn to wrap, so the candy cane is the one non-recycled flourish). I decided that I needed cheap, regular candy canes for decorating purposes, and D directed me to the many discount shops on fifth avenue.
The only problem was that the ones I found there all looked wildly different from each other. The companies that created them did the least possible amount of work to get them in the store. They also had that too-white look -- this means that if you bite into them, your teeth sink into the first slightly moist and gummy outer layer. I don't mind that so much myself (it's the year-old candy cane phenomenon) but it can clog up your teeth.
The only alternative in the string of 99 cent stores and chain pharmacies was the branded version: Starburst or Skittles or whatever. That seemed like cheating. I don't think Santa would approve. Also, there's something to be said for the peppermint candy cane tradition. But it was my only option, so that's what I got. Since then, I've seen a more normal-looking "natural" candy canes at Whole Foods, which I think I might use next year. Still, though, I don't get why our standard candy cane selections have to be so lame. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place?
I'm also lamenting the loss of neighborhood candy places. You know those candy sticks they sell in New England? I used to love those as a kid -- they come in many flavors. Cherry, watermelon, strawberry, lime, butterscotch, etc. (Why can't someone arrange for candy canes to be GOOD like that? There must be a candy cane monopoly. I see artisanal candy canes, but they're usually sold individually and they're too expensive.) There's Dylan's candy shop and the chains have candy selections, but the independent, well-stocked candy store seems to be hard to come by.
Posted by csageday at December 22, 2006 01:07 PM