Fun Facts Archives - American Greetings Blog

Happy National Candy Corn Day!

Whether you find it terrifyingly gross or totally tasty, candy corn season is upon us and there’s quite the heated debate over this little triangled gob of goo. There seems to be no middle ground here—candy corn is either loved or loathed, but no matter what corner of this sugared kernel you stand in, there’s one truth that stays constant year after year—we wouldn’t have Halloween without it.

This unassuming tri-colored tidbit has been voted the Most Traditional Candy of Halloween Least Loved by Consumers. However, the National Confectioners Association reports that 35 million pounds are produced annually. That’s 9 billion pieces. So…someone’s got to be eating it, right?

Made primarily from sugar, corn syrup, wax, artificial coloring and binders, you either savor this happy-colored, sugary corn confection, or pass it by on your way to the Reese’s.

So, which side of the debate do you stand on? Do you happily graze on these sugary kernels, savoring the quintessential taste of all things fall, or do you equate it more with drinking a bottle of Karo syrup and eating a candle, exclaiming, “Fall doesn’t want to taste like that!”

L’Shanah Tovah! Last night at sundown, the Jewish New Year began with Rosh Hashanah. This two-day celebration is a time of reflection and repentance, and marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. It’s a time for sending good wishes for the year and gathering with family and friends.

Fun facts about Rosh Hashanah

How much to do you know about Rosh Hashanah? We’ve compiled some interesting facts about this Jewish New Year celebration:

Rosh Hashanah means “beginning of the year” in Hebrew.
A significant ritual is the sounding of the Shofar—a hallowed out ram’s horn that is blown like a trumpet and used as a call to repentance.
No work is allowed on Rosh Hashanah.
The common salutation is “L’shanah tovah,” which means “for a good year.”
Pomegranates are eaten because the number of seeds believed to be contained in the fruit (613) is the same number of mitzvoth (commandments) associated with the Jewish faith.
Fish is a typical dish served and represents knowledge, since its eyes are always open, and it is customary for the head of the fish to be placed in front of the head of household.
The most popular food custom is eating apples and honey to express hope for a sweet new year.
According to the Talmud, the world was created on the first day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. So, Rosh Hashanah is considered a birthday of sorts for the world.

Happy New Year from us to you!