One can hardly imagine a country fair or circus without multi-coloured candyfloss. Candyfloss goes by different names: South Africa follows British convention by calling it candyfloss, but in the USA it is called cotton candy and in Australia, the rather wistful fairy floss. The United States even celebrates National Cotton Candy Day on December 7!

Candyfloss is nothing more than spun sugar and it consists mainly of air. This is why servings are so large and why it is so sweet. Especially children are filled with a sense of wonder by the puffy, cloud-like candyfloss on sticks and as such, candyfloss is usually found in fantastical and surreal settings, where it works so well: circuses and country fairs are typical. Here, one is afforded the opportunity to wander about the different stands or stare wide-eyed at physics-defying stunts and acts, all the while devouring huge pink puffs of candyfloss.

In many cases, the process by which the sugar is spun and the candyfloss is wound onto the stick is part of the adventure and avidly watched by the children. Since food colouring is used, any colour candyfloss can be made, but pink has proven to be the most popular colour.

Candyfloss machines have existed for more than a century and very little has changed in the way they work. Sugar and food colouring is added to a small centre bowl, which is spun very fast. Heaters near its rim melt the sugar, which is forced out small holes by the centrifugal force, where it solidified into long strand that are caught in a metal bowl. The operator gathers the candyfloss with a stick into portions of the desired size.

Candyfloss has very little substance and is therefore very cheap to buy. It keeps children busy (and sticky) for hours and is an indispensable part of a children’s party.

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