I have a ridiculous amount of candy in my house right now (thank you Kroger for your 50 percent off coupon last week). We haven’t opened most of it yet, as we plan to pour it in Halloween bowls for all the trick-or-treaters in the neighborhood, but we certainly aren’t hurting in the candy department.

Halloween candy is a house divider for some. Team Snickers or Team Reeses? Team M&Ms or Team Skittles? It’s all good in the house when you play on different teams.

My husband is Team Almond Joy, which I find disgusting. I hate all things coconut and my kids aren’t big fans either so everyone gives Almond Joys to dad.
But when family members are all part of the same team — we all fight for Twix and Kit Kats — it may get uglier than the scary costume you’re wearing. (I will throw down for a Twix … and the new pumpkin pie Kit Kats are so yummy).

But one forgotten candy no one seems to ‘fight’ for is candy corn.

It’s not one people usually get in their trick-or-treat loot because they aren’t individually wrapped, but it is a staple when you think of Halloween candy.

I’ve heard it likened to the fruit cake of Christmas, it just goes with the holiday even if it’s gross.

I actually forget how much I love candy corn until that first bite each season. I especially love the pumpkin-shaped candy corn (unfortunately so does my daughter).

As I was thinking about writing my column and munching on some candy, I found out today is actually National Candy Corn Day, so let’s dive into the history of candy corn, which is actually interesting even if you don’t like the stuff.

My research brought me to www.history.com, which has information on so many cool things.

Candy corn was invented in the late 1800s when candy companies were experimenting with molding mellowcreme into different shapes.

Almost half the labor force at that time were farmers, so companies were molding the candy into the shape of vegetables and other agricultural products, which appealed to the children on farms.

Supposedly, an employee of the Wunderle Candy Company in Philadelphia molded the first three hand-layered colored candy using sugar and corn syrup, developing that signature candy corn look.

In 1898, the Goelitz Candy Company (now the Jelly Belly Candy Company) bought the recipe and started marketing it as “Chicken Feed” because they looked like corn kernels.

Prior to World War I, corn was not considered people food because it didn’t taste good. There were no sweet hybrids like we have today so it was coarse and cheap, great for pigs and chickens to eat.

Candy corn was even advertised using chickens, with the packaging displaying a rooster and the motto, “King of the Candy Corn Fields.”

When World War I started, there were wheat shortages so people had to turn to corn products for their flour, meal and breads because it was cheaper and more readily available.

Corn products became more acceptable as people food.

Candy corn became a ‘penny candy’ kiddos could buy in bulk.

Candy corn was eaten and produced year round until the 1950s. It was at that time Halloween became associated with candy and trick-or-treating and candy corn started being advertised as a Halloween candy.

Today, the National Confectioners Association estimates more than 35 million pounds of candy corn are sold every year.

Despite that large amount sold, there is a survey completed by candystore.com each year that identifies the best and worst Halloween candies. Candy corn took the crown as worst this year, stealing it from Circus Peanuts (Reese’s topped the best list this year, again).

To compare candy corn to circus peanuts seems a bit harsh. I don’t think they get the love they deserve. Think about candy corn and peanuts mixed together in that yummy fall snack mix .. who doesn’t love that?

The reality is there are few people out there on Team Candy Corn. Oh well, more for me (and I guess I’ll share with my daughter).

Trick-or-treating is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in Winchester. Be safe and enjoy all the treats in moderation of course.

Shonda Johnston is the Clark County Extension agent for family and consumer sciences. She can be reached at 859-744-4682 or by email at shonda.johnston@uky.edu.