canepulling


Here is a glimpse into how traditional candy canes are made.
First Joe prepares a water and sugar mixture that is heated up to 300º F. This mixture is then poured onto a large marble slab where it is "flipped" and allowed to start cooling. As it reaches a cooler temp (a certain consistency) flavors are added in by a process similar to "kneading bread". After the flavors are fully blended in, the mixture, which is "amber" in color, is cut into pieces (usually three such as red, white & green) one for each color you wish to have.

One piece, if white is to be one of the final colors, is taken and "thrown" onto a stainless steel hook where Joe pulls and twists the mixture until the amber color turns white. This process is a lot like "pulling taffy". As you notice in the picture Joe needs to be wearing gloves from this point on in the pulling process for the cane mixture is still between 200º and 300º F.
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