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Toffee apples (in Commonwealth English) or candy apples are whole apples covered in a sugar candy coating, with a stick inserted as a handle. These are a common treat at fall festivals in Western culture in the Northern Hemisphere, such as Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night, because these festivals occur in the wake of annual apple harvests.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Although toffee apples and caramel apples may seem similar, they are made using distinctly different processes.
HistoryEdit
Toffee apples were originally sold in London in the 1890s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, according to one source, American William W. Kolb invented the red candy apple.
Kolb, a veteran Newark candy-maker, produced his first batch of candied apples in 1908. While experimenting in his candy shop with red cinnamon candy for the Christmas trade, he dipped some apples into the mixture and put them in the windows for display. He sold the whole first batch for 5 cents each and later sold thousands yearly. Soon candied apples were being sold along the Jersey Shore, at the circus and in candy shops across the country, according to the Newark News in 1948.<ref>Newark Sunday News, November 28, 1948, pg.16. The first candy apples brand was named after Kolb's wife Chelle's. Nowadays, Chelle's Candy Apples is known candy apples, hard candy and other sweet treats. Newark Evening News, June 8, 1964, pg. 32</ref>
Ingredients and methodEdit
Toffee apples are made by coating an apple with a layer of sugar that has been heated to hard crack stage.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The most common sugar coating is made from sugar (white or brown), corn syrup, water, cinnamon and red food coloring. Humid weather can prevent the sugar from hardening.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Regional traditionsEdit
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- Australia – the Granny Smith variety of apple is considered ideal for toffee apples.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation
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- Brazil – toffee apples (named as in other Lusophone countries maçã do amor, as in the French pommes d'amour, meaning "apples of love") are common in the festivities in honor of John the Apostle.
- Mainland China – a similar treat called Tanghulu is made by coating small fruits, traditionally hawthorns with hard sugar syrup.
- Canada – very popular and usually eaten at fairs or carnivals.
- France – toffee apples are called pommes d'amour (apples of love). They are a common treat found at many festivals.
- Germany – most often associated with Christmas. They are also sometimes sold at carnivals and fairs
- Israel – almost solely sold in cities' squares on Yom Ha'atzmaut eve (Israel Independence Day) as part of the street celebrations.
- Japan – toffee apples, grapes, strawberries and tangerines are commonly available at Japanese festivals.<ref name="HeiterPress2009">Template:Cite book</ref>
- Republic of Ireland – eaten at Halloween.
- United Kingdom – a similar treat made with toffee is associated with and eaten at Halloween (Scotland and Northern Ireland), or Bonfire Night (England, Scotland and Wales).
- United States – jelly apples, found in New York's Coney Island area, are related but have a soft candy ("jelly") coating and a cherry flavor, not cinnamon.Template:Citation needed
- Uruguay – Manzanas acarameladas, sold in fairs, zoos and carnivals
- South Africa - toffee apples are mostly available at supermarkets such as Checkers and Spar. They are also very popular throughout apple season. Mostly dipped in red or green coloured sugar syrup.