Sweet Treat

Although I haven’t been in a few years, one of my most favorite things about summer time is knowing the fair is coming. It sounds silly, but going to the fair has nothing to do with seeing little piggies racing around a tiny track, or walking through the arts and crafts section, or even riding any of the sketchy, man-made roller coasters. It has everything to do with the food.

I always make a point to save plenty of room and prepare myself for the thousands of calories I plan on consuming, because the options are not only creative (fried anything), but they're wildly overwhelming. Fortunately, the classics will always remain a priority, (especially for me; I have a love affair with sweets of all kinds), from caramel apples, to chocolate dipped ice cream cones to cotton candy.

Although cotton candy may not be my first choice, it is a top contender for most people, and it’s been around for years.

Cotton candy has been a fair staple since 1904 (invented in 1897), when it was introduced at the Nashville, Tennessee World’s Fair by Dentist William Morrison and candy-maker John C. Wharton. Then called “Fairy Floss” and also costing 25 cents per box, the spun sugar treat was huge success and was later named “cotton candy” in the 1920s.

Though I’ve never celebrated this, the United States marks December 7^th as National Cotton Candy Day. Looks like I don’t have to wait until summer anymore! Good for me!

Photo by Sabino