Caramel is a versatile treat. It can be drizzled over ice cream, used to create caramel popcorn, served in pralines or over an apple, and even eaten in gooey chunks. This tasty sweet has an interesting history behind it, as you will see from the highlights below.

Where Does Caramel Come From?

American Hard Candies

While the earliest origins of caramel are unknown, the first caramel treats in the U.S. appeared in 1650. American settlers made these candies by removing the water from sugar by heating granules. As the sugar molecules break down and re-form, they harden in the signature caramel texture and dark-orange color.

They were enjoyed as bite-sized treats and as lollipops. Settlers eventually added lemon, peppermint, and other complementary flavors to them.

A New Lease on Life

One of the most iconic ways to enjoy caramel is on caramel popcorn—a trend that first appeared in the 1800s. The first popcorn store was opened in Chicago by German immigrants Frederick and Louis Rueckheim. There, they began experimenting with ingredients, eventually leading to the creation of Cracker Jacks in 1896.

At the same time, famous chocolate-maker Milton Hershey opened the Lancaster Caramel Company, eventually selling to The American Caramel Company in 1900. Candy-maker August Goetze founded Goetze’s Candy Company in Baltimore, MD, in 1895 and, in 1940, had created the Caramel Cream—a tasty caramel bite with a chewy core.

Ways to Make Caramel

Over the years, candy-makers experimented with different ways to produce caramel. Different combinations of milk, condensed milk, sugar, butter, oil, molasses, and corn syrup were used to create different textures, colors, and sweetnesses.

Butter created more elastic treats, and both heat and wet modes of cooking were explored, further adding to the varieties of this dessert that are available.

If you’re in the mood for mouth-watering caramel popcorn, Cracker Box Caramel Pop is your go-to supplier. This Lander, WY, company uses 60-year-old recipes to create fresh popcorn, cheddar popcorn, and other flavored products. They have a summer food truck, so follow them on Facebook for updates about their location. You can learn more about their services online. Call (307) 335-7020 to speak with a representative.