A candy cane is a hard candy in the shape of a rod or cane that is usually flavored with peppermint.http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/candy+cane This popular sweet treat has worked its way into the list of popular Christmas symbols. Traditional candy cane recipes generally include sugar, corn syrup, water, cream of tartar, flavoring of choice (usually peppermint or wintergreen), and small amounts of salt.http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/candy-cane

While the original candy cane was a simple straight white rod, a cane shaped candy with colored stripes is more commonly seen today.http://www.examiner.com/x-22987-Littleton-Homeschooling-Examiner~y2009m12d6-The-candy-cane-History-recipe-crafts-printables-and-videos?cid=channel-rss-Education_and_Schools The history of candy canes is so ancient it’s hard to say just where and when they originated, however popular belief is that the candy cane began in Europe over three hundred and fifty years ago. Its association with Christmas comes from the common tradition of decorating Christmas trees with food in the early 1600's. http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/candy-cane

For a candy cane to be a candy cane nothing more is required than a hard candy stick made from sugar. While generally flavored with peppermint or wintergreen oil modern candy cane recipes can produce all variety of flavors from fruit to spice. http://candyaddict.com/blog/2005/11/21/flavored-candy-canes/

The original candy cane was also plain, straight and white, but today we find recipes that produce candy canes of nearly every color under the rainbow, though the classic striped pattern that began to appear in the nineteenth century is almost always present. You can also shape your candy canes however you wish simply by changing their shape before they cool. The classic J shape originated in 1670, but is not required to make a candy cane a candy cane. http://www.enotes.com/how-products-encyclopedia/candy-cane

Candy canes can be used for more than just a tasty Christmas treat as well. They can be used to decorate Christmas trees in the historic fashion of Europe. They can be used to flavor foods, become crushed toppings for desserts, or be used as stir sticks for hot holiday drinks and cocktails such as hot cocoa. http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/33_candy_canes