Candy Floss

Candy floss is the British name for cotton candy and is a form of spun sugar. Candy Floss was first introduced by William Morrison in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair. At that time Morrison was calling spun sugar fairy floss. The product was a huge success as he was able to sell 68,000 boxes at twenty-five cents each.

People often wonder what candy floss is made of besides sugar. Cotton candy is simply sugar and food colouring. The cotton candy is made by a machine that spins the sugar so that it becomes fluffy and sticky. Modern machines work in much the same way as older machines to make the cotton candy. The center of the machine is comprised of a small bowl that is designed to hold the sugar and the food colouring. The sugar and food colouring are added to this bowl and the heaters near the rim of the bowl are turned on to melt the sugar. This melted sugar is then spun through tiny holes where it once again solidifies in the air and is caught in a large metal bowl. A stick is then twirled around in the cotton candy and the confection is sold individually.

Cotton candy is most commonly found at fairgrounds or circus performances. Due to the fact that it is relatively inexpensive and easy to make, cotton candy is sold is large portions. You can either buy cotton candy on a stick, fresh from the machine or you may buy bags that have been packaged in advance. The best cotton candy is that which is made and sold fresh. Candy floss that has been made and packaged for days has a tendency to lose it flavour and is typically more sticky that fresh cotton candy that has just been spun and served.