What is Cotton Candy?

Cotton candy is a light, fluffy sweet candy made of threaded sugar, which is usually twirled onto a stick or cone.   Also know as “fairy floss” or “cotton candy sugar floss,” it’s unclear who were the original inventors of cotton candy, but most historians give credit to William Morrison and John Wharton, including Thomas Patton in the early 1900s as the first innovators of the cotton candy machine. 

In the mid 18th century, the precursor to cotton candy was known as “spun sugar.”  Confectioners in America and Europe spun liquefied sugar into thin webs for extravagant holiday dessert decorations.  This candy was all done by hand, which made the process very time-consuming and expensive.  In effect, only wealthy people could afford the treat and it never became popular. ¹

Cotton Candy Cone

In 1897, William Morrison and John Wharton of Nashville, TN produced the first cotton candy machine, and received a U.S. patent in 1899.  Thomas Patton also patented a cotton candy machine and presented it to the Ringling Bros in 1900.  Around the same time, Josef Lascaux, a dentist from Louisiana - introduced cotton candy at his dental office in 1921.  ^{1, 2}

>> Read more about the history of cotton candy

How is Cotton Candy Made?

Cotton candy is made from pure sugar.  Once the sugar is infused with a flavor and color, the mixture is called cotton candy sugar floss.  This mixture is placed in superhot cotton candy machine, which has spinning chamber.  The unit heats the sugar up to approximately 300 degree Fahrenheit, then spins the liquefied mixture around the chamber at a high rate of speed.  Next, the melted sugar is forced through small holes in the surrounding bowl.  In effect, a fine sugary strand is produced and congeals immediately. ^{3, 4}

Since the cooling effect happens quickly, the sugar threads do not solidify in a neat fashion.  In other words, the once melted sugar is now a giant fluff of tiny strands of sugar and air pockets – ready to be spun onto a cotton candy cone or put in a bag. ⁴


References
1. Venzon, Christine. "How Cotton Candy Works: Spun Sugar – Sweet Science." Howstuffworks.com. Web. Science.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved June 4, 2012. http://science.howstuffworks.com/innovation/edible-innovations/cotton-candy1.htm
2.  History of Cotton Candy | Fineentertaing.com Web. Retrieved June 27, 2012
3. Food Timline > FAQ Candies. Web. Retrieved May 15, 2012
http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodcandy.html#cottoncandy
4. Mona Chiang (November 1, 2004) Science World  Sugar load: Unwrap the secrets behind some of the world's wackiest candies. Web. Retrieved June 20, 2012 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1590/is_4_61/ai_n9485101/
5. Cotton Candy -  National Confectioners Association.  Web. Retrieved June 17, 2012
http://www.candyusa.com/FunStuff/CandyType.cfm?ItemNumber=926