Buffalonians know all about sponge candy, but the weather may very well play a factor in why it’s not as popular in other parts of the world.
What You Need To Know
- Sponge candy can quickly become sticky and gooey in hot, humid weather
- Some candy makers won’t even bother making it during the summer
- The weather can make it tricky to ship out sponge candy
People all around the world may know about Buffalo and its wings, but what about sponge candy? There are similar variations that go by other names, like sea foam and molasses puffs, but the story’s all the same.
It doesn’t thrive very well in certain weather.
Luckily for us, a good chunk of the year is prime for sponge candy making here in Western New York.
Sponge candy is extremely sensitive to heat and humidity. If you’ve ever made the unfortunate mistake of holding a piece of chocolate for too long or forgetting that you put some in your jacket pocket, you know that chocolate melts when it gets too warm.
That’s true for sponge candy, as well. Once it gets too hot, that outer, chocolatey layer melts, but the inside is also pretty finicky about its surrounding environment.
Keep in mind, sponge candy is chocolate-covered crunchy, lightly toasted toffee made from sugar, corn syrup, and baking soda. Any heat or humidity will cause the sugars in the spongy part to break down and become gooey.
As a result, some candy makers won’t even bother making it during the warmer months since it can start to break down the very same day it’s made. Niagara Chocolates will only make it from September through May.
Even if it's not hot and humid enough to break down the sponge candy, it will almost always have a slightly stickier center during the more humid months.
That also makes it tricky to send out to areas outside of Western New York. A popular sponge candy creator, Watson’s Chocolate, may mandate you to purchase a cooler and ice pack if you want to get it shipped.
Easter is the last major holiday before it becomes difficult to find sponge candy due to the return of warm, humid weather. Make sure you stock up while you can!
