A candy is a sweet confection that is made from adding sugar to a certain volume of water. Several colorants and flavorings are also put in this thick mixture. The term in north America refers to every manufactured sugar-based treats whereas elsewhere in the English speaking countries, the word “sweet” is the standard.

Candies are manufactured by dissolving sugar in a liquid until the whole forms a syrup. The concentration in sugar varies from one candy to another. When the sugar has boiled long enough, the candy sort of caramelizes. Temperature during the boiling stage determines the texture of a candy. When you heat the mixture for a very long time, the volume of water decreases and mainly sugar remains from the heating operation in the end.

The concentration in sugar is comprised between 80 to 100%! For instance, toffees are 95% sugar-based! Some candies, like toffees, are cooled in a stage of their preparation when they reach a very high temperature. The sudden changing in temperature makes the candy crack! A whole range of candies are offered in bakeries and supermarkets. You may chew some of them and almost break your teeth on some of the others. You may also lick some of them. In some lollipops, you might even find a chewy core that will give you a second stage of pleasure!

From a non-exhaustive list, candies are: jelly beans, caramel, toffee, fudge, rock candy,chocolate-coated...
Some of them contain gelatin. This gelatin is derived from animal proteins, a thing that is feared since the Mad Cow disease was revealed.

Candies are good! But not for your teeth. Furthermore, if you're trying to lose weight, you must absolutely avoid eating candies, the best friends of obesity.