Irish "Potato Candy" Will Fool Everyone on St. Patrick's Day (2024)

FAQs

What is the story behind Irish potato candy? ›

They were invented by Irish immigrants in Philadelphia—a candy-making capital in the early 20th century—likely in the 1800s or early 1900s, a time when the city was experiencing a huge influx of Irish immigrants.

Potato candy does not require baking and is instead refrigerated in order to fully harden the candy, though it can stay at room temperature following the refrigeration process. Most sources indicate that the potato candy has a shelf life of roughly one to two weeks.

The Roots of Irish Potato Candy:

Contrary to its name, Irish Potato Candy contains no potatoes. This sweet creation is more about clever confectionery than tubers. Its roots can be traced back to the late 19th century when Irish immigrants in Philadelphia sought to celebrate their heritage in the United States.

The potato candy soon became popular among the Irish of Appalachia who were unable to afford more expensive candy, such as chocolates. Potatoes were readily available, the candy was easy to make, and it tasted great. Generations that followed continued to make potato candy, passing the recipe down orally.

The Irish Potato Famine As A Trigger For Murder. Starting during the Irish Famine and into the late 1800's, seven Irish landlords and several of their agents and middlemen were murdered. These murders shocked the country sending shock waves as far as London.

Why were potatoes so important to Ireland? The potato plant was hardy, nutritious, calorie-dense, and easy to grow in Irish soil. By the time of the famine, nearly half of Ireland's population relied almost exclusively on potatoes for their diet, and the other half ate potatoes frequently.

Mashed potatoes must cool completely before adding sugar. Otherwise they will melt the sugar and you will end up with a very runny mess. I recommend allowing them to cool at room temperature rather than the fridge, as sometimes the condensation from the fridge can also make the mixture runny.

Mix together potatoes, butter or margarine, and milk. Add enough confectioners' sugar to make a stiff dough. Roll out on a flat surface sprinkled with powdered sugar. Spread on a layer of peanut butter and roll up.

Hard candy - Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location. Jellied candies - If the packaging has been opened, soft candies should be stored away from heat and light at room temperature (about 70 degrees). Stored in this manner, the candy should last 6-9 months.

​Cow Tales® are chewy candy snack sticks made of caramel and filled with cream – Not made from real cows' tails. Original Caramel Cow Tales® come in the standard 1 oz. stick size as well as smaller Cow Tales®​ Minis.

What candy is named after a horse? ›

Candy magnate Frank Mars named the Snickers bar after one of his horses. He raised horses on Milky Way Farm.

Made with real honey and almond bits, Bit-O-Honey is a delectable bite-sized chew that's satisfied sweet tooths for nearly one hundred (!) years. And now that Spangler Candy has added Bit-O-Honey to its roster of some of the most iconic names in candy, there's no better time for Bit-O-Honey's big reintroduction.

According to the study, American's hate to receive candy corn the most on Halloween.

“But we're pretty sure it was in the late 1800s or early 1900s, and probably by Irish immigrant candy makers like our shop's founder Edward Shane.” Chef Walter Staib — who's also a cookbook author, Emmy Award-winning TV host, and historian — says he “knows for a fact that they were first made in Philadelphia by Irish ...

Potatoes are native to the Andes Mountains of South America. We call them Irish potatoes because the potato was first brought back to Europe in the 1500's and developed as a crop there. The Irish immigrants brought the culture of potato to the United States.

The proximate cause of the famine was the infection of potato crops by blight (Phytophthora infestans) throughout Europe during the 1840s. Blight infection caused 100,000 deaths outside Ireland and influenced much of the unrest that culminated in European Revolutions of 1848.

The first Europeans to accept it as a field crop in the seventeenth century, the Irish were the first to embrace it as a staple food in the eighteenth. The potato emerged strongly in Ireland because it suited the soil, climate and living conditions remarkably well.

Far from being a natural disaster, many Irish were convinced that the famine was a direct outgrowth of British colonial policies. In support of this contention, they noted that during the famine's worst years, many Anglo-Irish estates continued to export grain and livestock to England.

Consuming potassium-rich foods like Irish potatoes can help reduce the risk of hypertension and lower the chances of heart disease and stroke. Immune System Support: Irish potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is known for its immune-boosting properties.