The Middle English word candy began to be used in the late 13th century, coming into English from the Old French çucre candi, derived in turn from Persian Qand and Qandi, "cane sugar", probably derived from Sanskrit word khanda "piece ", perhaps from Dravidian . In North America, some use candy as a broad category that may include candy bars, chocolates, licorice, sour candies, salty candies, tart candies, hard candies, taffies, gumdrops, marshmallows, and more. Vegetables or fruit, or nuts which have been glazed and coated with sugar are said to be candied.
Outside North America, the generic English-language name for candy is sweets or confectionery . In Australia and New Zealand, small pieces of sweet substance are known as "lollies".
In North America, Australia, the Caribbean, NZ and the UK, the word "lollipop" refers specifically to sugar candy with flavoring on a stick. While not used in the generic sense of North America, the term candy is used in the UK for specific types of foods such as candy floss, and certain other sugar based products such as candied fruit.
The global sales of sugar confectionery candy market in 2010 were about $57.5 billion. Candy is still served in this form today, though now it is more typically seen as a type of garnish.
Candy was originally a form of medicine, either used to calm the digestive system or cool a sore throat. In the Middle Ages candy appeared on the tables of only the most wealthy at first. At that time it began as a combination of spices and sugar that was used as an aid to digestive problems. Digestive problems were very common during this time due to the constant consumption of food that was neither fresh nor well balanced. Banquet hosts would typically serve these types of