25 Sweet Facts about Lollipops

Lollipops are one of the well-known candies in the world. People may recognize it from its shape more than its taste. Because everyone knows that hard candy that is mounted on a stick is called a lollipop.

However, people may not recognize it from its taste as it does not have a unique flavor. Lollipops can come in many different flavors as candy factories around the world produce their versions of lollipops.

In this list, I am going to share 25 interesting facts about Lollipops so you may know the candy’s historical background and other interesting facts that are relevant to it.

1. The origin of Lollipops goes back thousands of years. For example, cave people collected and consumed wild honey using a stick.
2. Ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and Arabs coated fruits and nuts with honey to make them taste better and preserve them for longer periods. They consumed final products poking a stick through them to make them easier to eat. Those products resembled modern-day Lollipops.
3. In the 17th century, sugar became an abundant commodity. English people boiled sugar and turned it into hard candy. With the popularity of sugar candies, the number of street vendors also increased. Some of them start selling sugar candies with a stick so the customers can consume them without making their hands sticky.
4. During the Civil War era, parents give lollipop-type candies to their children. More specifically, they attached softer candies on the tip of a pencil and gave them to their children to lick and nibble.   
5. In the modern world, the name “lollypop” first appeared in Charles Dicken’s novels in the 19th century as a new treat; However, during that period lollipops were no more than sweet lozenges without a stick.
6. Lollypop means “tongue slap” because “Lolly” meant tongue and the word “pop” means slap in old English.

1. The primary difference between old and new versions of Lollipops is that older versions were softer as vendors needed to attach candy to a stick manually.
2. One report suggests that it was the owner of the McAviney Candy Company who accidentally invented the modern-day lollipop in 1905. The owner used sticks to stir the boiling sugar and brought those sticks to his children to enjoy. Children loved it and he began to market those “used candy sticks” in 1908.
3. George Smith was the first person to invent the modern version of Lollipops in 1908. He was from New Haven, Connecticut. Unlike others, Smith called his candy “Lollipop” and got a trademark for the name in 1931. He named the product after one of his favorite racehorses called Lolly pop.
4. The mass production of Lollipops began when the Racine Confectionary Machine company introduced a manufacturing technology that can attach hard candy into the tip of a stick at the rate of 2,400 units per hour.
5. Russian immigrant Samuel Born also contributed to the development of Lollipop candies. In 1912, he invented the machine that can insert a stick into a candy. To honor the invention, people named the machine Born Sucker Machine.
6. Despite several claims, the name of the actual creator of Lollipops remains unclear. Several individuals, companies, even historic people such as stone-age people contributed to the creation of Lollipops over the centuries.
7. Lollipops are highly used candies in banks, shops, other locations. Businesses give lollipops as courtesy items to bind with their customers. Next time when you come to a bank or other office, pay attention to their candy jars. I am confident that you will find lollipops among the bunch.
8. Not all lollipops are for enjoyment. There are medical lollipops that are given to children without fuss. Some medical lollipops are strictly designed for adults. For instance, some adults take Actiq lollipops as an analgesic substance (when prescribed).
9. The primary ingredients of lollipops are sugar and water. Then, candy makers add artificial and natural ingredients to create various flavors. For example, European countries such as Germany and Netherlands add salty licorice (salmiak) to lollipops.
10. Chupa Chups and Dum Dum Pop are two well-known lollipop brands. Enric Bernat founded the Chupa Chups company in 1958. Within only 5 years, he managed to sell his lollipops in 300,000 outlets. Currently, Chupa Chups are being sold in over 150 countries. American brand Dum Dums also gained popularity when they offered 16 flavors of lollipops. Some of those flavors are orange, grape, coconut pineapple, butterscotch, cherry, lime, and lemon.

1. Early lollipop makers believed that traditional candies were not designed for children. Because children can make their hands sticky and there is a risk of children swallowing a lump of candy at once. So, the lollipops were a solution.  
2. Tootsie Roll is the world’s largest lollipop producer. The company produces more than 16 million lollipops per day to satisfy the world’s demand.
3. See’s Candies Lollipop factory in Burlingame, California produced the world’s largest lollipop on July 18, 2012. The giant lollipop weighs over 7,000 lbs. (3176.5 kg) and measures over 4.8 ft (1.4 m). in length, 3.6 ft. (1.1 m) in width, and 5.11 ft. (1.5 m) in height. With its stick, the lollipop stands at over 11 ft (3.3 m). And it was chocolate-flavored.
4. Lollipop is also a famous word in hit songs. For example, singer Lil Wayne made a song called “Lollipop” in 2008. The song was the highest-selling ringtone of 2008. American pop duo Ronald & Ruby and the Chordettes also produced songs called “Lollipop” in 1958.
5. If you do not like artificial flavors and colors, organic lollipops will give you peace of mind. For instance, companies such as YumEarth produces organic lollipops that are made with real fruits. It is always good to enjoy something you like, knowing it is healthy.
6. Americans celebrate National Lollipop Day on the 20th of July. On that day, everyone gets a lollipop and treats themselves and their close ones with sweetness. Stores also display their best lollipops and unique products on the counter to attract more customers or simply showcase their products.
7. Did you know that the longest chain of people licking lollipops included 12,831 individuals? The event was organized in Valladolid, Spain on September 7, 2008 by Coordinadora de Peñas. The same group also holds the world record for the “Largest water pistol fight”.
8. The world’s most expensive lollipop costs over $10,000. Interestingly, it is not an actual lollipop but a chair made with 60 pound’s confectioner’s sugar. Some other lollipops range between $6800 per 100 lollipops and $25 per piece.
9. It is not known how many lollipops the world consumes every single day. But we know that most European countries consume more candies than any other part of the world.

Here is the list of 5 countries that consumes the most candies in the world:

1. Germany
2. Ireland
3. Switzerland
4. Austria
5. United Kingdom

An average person residing in those countries consumes more than 20 lbs. candy per year.