U.S. retailers are offering what seems to be more candy cane flavor choices than ever before.
The traditional peppermint flavor has now expanded to a list of different choices. Even ... ketchup!
A candy cane shortage in 2021 amid pandemic-era supply chain issues saw a Christmas without the traditional peppermint flavor in many areas, that so many Americans turn to during the holiday season.
Now flavors are abundant with improvements in the supply chain.
Some of the flavors connect with major brands. Hostess putt out a Twinkies candy cane flavor, and for spicy fans there is a Holiday Heat candy cane by Brach's, as Jennifer Kingson at Axios found.
But it's not just candy canes that are trying wild new things. Spam has even introduced their new "Figgy Pudding"flavorto try and tempt more people into buying their product during the holiday season.
As Eater reported, Spam sent an email warning about the new addition to its line of products writing, "Let’s just say, it’ll have you asking ‘WTF?’”
SPOTTED: Brach’s Holiday Heat Sweet & Spicy Canes https://t.co/5cSqzg82J2
— The Impulsive Buy (@theimpulsivebuy) November 1, 2022
Andrew Schuman, president of Hammond's Candies told Kingson at Axios, "I think everybody's interested in something new."
In the, U.S. National Candy Cane Day is celebrated on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas.
The NCA says 90% of candy canes are sold between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
The History Channel spoke to Carly Schildhaus, public affairs manager for the National Confectioners Association, who said that is likely because they are a popular decoration for Christmas trees.
But, with the plethora of new flavors, it might not be a stretch to see more candy canes sold throughout the year.
Somewhere around 1.7 billion candy canes are produced each year in the United States.
The world's largest candy cane was made by a pastry chef in Geneva, Switzerland in 2012.