Most hard candies are 100% sugar with flavoring and color. Most confectioners boil the sugar until it reaches 160 degrees Celsius to achieve a hard candy. Once that temperature is reached, they pour it into molds, roll or fold it into shapes, and let them cool. The solid sugar becomes hardened and brittle once cooled. The first hard candies, such as lemon drops and peppermints, were most likely prescribed as medicine.

National Hard Candy Day is celebrated on December 19th annually.

We have been unable thus far to find the creator of this national day, but we will be sure to keep you posted.