Cotton candy is more than just a fluffy treat you find at carnivals. Its story is fun, a little strange, and full of sweet surprises. And yes, it was invented by a dentist!
Back in 1897, a Nashville dentist named William Morrison teamed up with confectioner John C. Wharton. Together, they built the first electric cotton candy machine. It melted sugar and spun it into tiny threads. They called it “fairy floss” and sold it at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. More than 68,000 boxes were sold for 25 cents each a small fortune back then. If you enjoy quirky stories and sweet fun, you might also enjoy trying your luck at www.nyttcasino.com.
At its core, cotton candy is made of just one ingredient: sugar. A cotton candy machine melts the sugar, then spins it at high speed. As the liquid sugar shoots through tiny holes, it cools instantly and forms thin strands. These strands are collected on a stick or cone, forming that cloud-like shape we all know.
Colors and flavors are added to make it more fun. Pink and blue are the most common, with vanilla and raspberry flavors. But today, cotton candy comes in almost every color and flavor from grape to bubblegum.
Cotton candy is loved all over the world. It goes by different names in different countries. In the UK and India, it’s called candy floss. Australians and South Africans still use the original name fairy floss. In France, it’s called barbe à papa, which means “daddy’s beard.” In Italy, it’s zucchero filato or “spun sugar.” In Hindi, people call it buddhi ke baal, meaning “old woman’s hair.”
No matter what you call it, cotton candy is a favorite at fairs, festivals, and parties across the globe.
Cotton candy is also popping up in some surprising places. Fancy restaurants use it in desserts. Some chefs use it as a garnish, setting it on fire over baked Alaska for a dramatic finish. Bartenders drop cotton candy into cocktails. Bakers decorate cupcakes and milkshakes with colorful clouds. Even street vendors in China spin it into animal shapes and flowers.
Here are a few more fun facts that make cotton candy even sweeter:
- The sugar strands are thinner than human hair.
- Despite being pure sugar, a standard serving has only about 100 calories.
- It’s fat-free and gluten-free.
- The world’s longest cotton candy strand stretched over 1,400 meters.
- In 2024, a candy shop in Idaho created a cotton candy snowman that weighed 38 pounds.
Cotton candy also has a special day: National Cotton Candy Day is celebrated in the U.S. on December 7. That’s the perfect excuse to treat yourself!
Tootsie Roll Industries, known for their chewy chocolates, now makes the most cotton candy in the world. Their product is called Fluffy Stuff and is sold in stores across the U.S.
From street fairs to gourmet kitchens, cotton candy continues to surprise people. It started as a fun invention by a dentist. Today, it’s a global treat that brings out the kid in all of us.
So, the next time you take a bite of that colorful cloud, remember it’s more than just sugar. It’s a little piece of sweet history.