Cotton Candy? Who had that bright idea?

Cotton candy is one of the most popular sweet treats at carnivals, sporting events, more and entertainment venues across the country. But how did this unique dessert on a stick get its start?
William Morrison and John C. Wharton, two candy makers from Nashville, Tennessee, invented cotton candy in 1897.
It started with their invention of a machine that heated sugar in a spinning bowl, which had several tiny holes in it. The sugar in the hot, spinning bowl caramelized and made its way through the holes that turned the melted sugar into light strands.
This inventor created the sugary treat they called Fairy Floss. The pair introduced their fun snack to everyone at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. That year, they sold almost 69,000 boxes of Fairy Floss for $.25 each.
The treat was so popular, a candy store purchased the electric machine and started selling the fairy floss just a year later.
The term “cotton candy” wasn’t used for another 15 years in the United States. In the United Kingdom, they call it candy floss.
Other versions of cotton candy are said to have dated all the way back to the 1400s in Italy. However, sugar was a very expensive ingredient, and the spun sugary treat was only available to the wealthy. At that time, since the electric spinning machine hadn’t been invented yet, melted sugar was drizzled over sheets or other objects to dry before it was served.
Today, the way cotton candy is made really hasn’t changed since its invention. Flavored sugar is added to the center of the cotton candy machine. The center, which spins, begins to heat up to 300 degrees, which melts the sugar.
When the center begins to spin, the melted sugar is pushed through a screen that breaks the pieces up into the flossy pieces we recognize today as cotton candy.

Cotton Candy: Sweet Treat that's Money in the Bank!

Beach Cities Wholesalers knows Cotton Candy is one of the most popular sweet treats at carnivals, sporting events, and entertainment venues across the country.
But how did Cotton Candy, a unique dessert on a stick, get its start?
FUN FACT: William Morrison and John C. Wharton, two candy makers from Nashville, Tennessee, invented Cotton Candy in 1897.
Cotton Candy started with their invention of a machine that heated sugar in a spinning bowl, which had several tiny holes in it. The sugar in the hot, spinning bowl caramelized and made its way through the holes that turned the melted sugar into light strands.
This inventor created the sugary treat they called "Fairy Floss." The pair introduced their fun snack to everyone at the St. Louis World’s Fair in 1904. That year, they sold almost 69,000 boxes of "Fairy Floss" for $.25 each.
The treat was so popular, a candy store purchased the electric machine and started selling the fairy floss just a year later.
The term “Cotton Candy” wasn’t used for another 15 years in the United States. In the United Kingdom, they call it candy floss.
Other versions of Cotton Candy are said to have dated all the way back to the 1400s in Italy. However, sugar was a very expensive ingredient, and the spun sugary treat was only available to the wealthy.
At that time, since the electric spinning machine hadn’t been invented yet, melted sugar was drizzled over sheets or other objects to dry before it was served.
Today, the way Cotton Candy is made really hasn’t changed since its invention. Flavored sugar is added to the center of the cotton candy machine. The center, which spins, begins to heat up to 300 degrees, which melts the sugar.
When the center begins to spin, the melted sugar is pushed through a mesh screen that breaks the pieces up into the flossy pieces we recognize today as cotton candy.
So much for the facts, what about the taste? 
Beach Cities Wholesalers have an assortment of flavors.  With special flavors for the Holidays!
Did you know Beach Cities Wholesalers is your one stop shop for all things Cotton Candy?! 
And we can help you maximize the profits with this sweet treat.
Come by Beach Cities Wholesalers in Long Beach, your snack foods specialists.  We'll show you how Cotton Candy can be a real money maker!

Fun Facts: Popcorn Style!

So where did originally popcorn come from?

In 1948, kernels of an early corn variety capable of being popped were found in an archaeological dig in a New Mexico rock shelter known as "Bat Cave."

This was widely reported as being the oldest ears of popcorn ever found.  Such reports often say they are dated to be 4000-5000 years old, or more.   The actual facts about the Bat Cave corn are less clear. While initial reports dated the corn to be 4000-5000 years old, in 1967 the same researchers revealed data from more specifically targeted dating: a sample consisting only of cobs was dated to be 1,752 years old, and a sample of cobs and nearby wood 2,249 years.

Even these dates have been called into question.  Michael S. Berry, after a study of the Bat Cave procedures, wrote it "was a poorly excavated site that can be interpreted nearly any way one pleases by juggling the data."

What is know is that in early times popcorn was prepared by using a bowl containing sand and placing the bowl over a fire, the sand heated the kernels and the popped popcorn rose to the top from under the sand.

Popcorn was very popular in the 1890s, until the Great Depression. 

As corn crops became more depleted during the Great Depression, nuts were consumed by many instead of corn.

What's more, during the Depression, popcorn was considered a luxury at 5-10 cents a bag.

But Popcorn was a way-out for some Depression era businessmen.  While some of the other businesses failed, the popcorn business thrived.  An example is "an Oklahoma banker" who went broke when his bank failed, bought a popcorn machine, and started a business in a small store near a theater.   After a couple of years, his popcorn business made enough money to buy back three of the farms he'd lost.

In the time of World War II, Americans ate three times more popcorn than they had before because of the sugar crop that was going overseas.  Less sugar meant more popcorn snacking.

Some years later, when street vendors started setting up outside movie theatres, they were not welcome, at least as far as the theater owners were concerned. They thought the vendors were a distraction.

But movie goers didn't agree. They went out on the sidewalk in droves to buy bags of hot popcorn before going back inside to see the movie.  Finally someone noticed.

Movie theatre owners have always had a keen eye for profits. So a few of the smarter ones asked the vendors to come inside and split whatever they made from their popcorn sales with the theatre. Of course it wasn't long until the theater owners realized they could set up their own popcorn popper and send the vendor packing... making popcorn the number 1 snack at theaters world-wide.

And who likes popcorn the best?  At least six localities (all in the United States ) claim to be the "Popcorn Capital of the World": Valparaiso, Indiana ; Van Buren, Indiana ; Marion, Ohio ; Ridgway, Illinois ; Schaller, Iowa ; and North Loup, Nebraska .   What's more... as the result of an elementary school project, popcorn became the official state snack food of Illinois.

So where does popcorn come from?  According to the USDA , most of the maize used for popcorn production is specifically planted for this purpose with the majority grown in Nebraska and Indiana, although the crop is  increasing area in Texas. 

So next time you reach for a handful of popcorn or kettle corn, impress your friends with your knowledge of these fun facts on this special fun food!

DON'T MISS OUR SUMMER EQUIPMENT SALE!!! Check out this deal!!!!!

ONE DAY ONLY!!!!!
COTTON CANDY MACHINE SPECIAL! 3024 Floss Boss
 $573.75 BRAND NEW!!!!
TOMORROW ONLY

 

IN ONE WEEK - Don't Miss Our Summer Factory Equipment Sale!!

SALE SALE SALE... do we tell you we're having a sale?!

We wanted to make sure no one forgets that we'll be having our Summer Factory Super Sale next Tuesday, August 19th from 9:00-4:00 at the Beach Cities Wholesaler's warehouse.

Our address is 2021 W. 17th Street, Long Beach, California 90813.

Every machine in the warehouse will be turned on, running and making sweet treats for us to demo for you.  Try out our popcorn machines, cotton candy machines, snow cone & shave ice machines, funnel fryers, nacho cheese warmers, margarita/frusheez machine, and much much more.

We will also be demo-ing our kettle corn pro-plant, making kettle, caramel and cheese corn.  Bend our ear with every question about how you can open your own popcorn store!  We're here to help you start a new exciting business in Fun Foods!!

Our expert sales team can guide you to the perfect machine for your business.  We know snack and concessions foods, and we know what will make your sale go through the roof.

And if you think Gold Medal Equipment is cheaper online.  Show us a lower price (include the website shipping charge & sales tax) and we'll match it.

Also, every machine sold has our guaranteed extended warranty: Two year parts, and ONE YEAR LABOR (6 months more than the Gold Medal warranty).  That means for the  first year you own your new Gold Medal machine, any repair is ABSOLUTELY FREE!

So don't forget our Summer Factory Super Sale:  Tuesday, August 19th at the Beach Cities Wholesalers warehouse.

Let us help you turn your snack food dreams into profit reality!

Beach Cities August Factory Super Sale!

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP!

Popcorn, Cotton Candy, Kettle Corn, Funnel Cake Start-ups!

At one time, Beach Cities Wholesalers was just a start-up small business.  We had 30 years concessions experience, and knew there was a need for a local Gold Medal/J&J Snackfoods distributor.  But the truth is, Beach Cities Wholesalers had no guarantee we would be successful.  It took a lot of hard work and a lot of homework.

 Do you want to start a Fun Foods Business?  Here are 8 secrets to a successful launch.

1. DO YOUR HOMEWORK

Spend a considerable amount of time conducting due diligence on a location. Successful small businesses differentiate themselves and offer something that is missing in the local community. Does your location have many restaurants, snack bars, etc.?  Do other vendors at your location sell the same food?  Foot traffic… is there any?  Make sure to take all theses thing and more into account before you open shop.

 2. KEEP IT SIMPLE

The fewer the number of moving parts, the easier it is to manage, and the cheaper it is to operate. The menu should not seek to be all things to all people. Instead, the menu should provide options that are appealing and consistent with the mission and vision of the business. Don’t offer ten different types of items when four will sell better.

3. GIVE THEM WHAT IS MISSING

As noted above, part of the due diligence process is to find the unmet needs.  Are there no kettle corn operators in your area?  Does no one sell shave ice?  What about seasonal… kettle corn in the winter and shave ice in the summer.  Or a little of both full-year if no one else is selling these items?  Conduct a "needs assessment" by asking local residents and professionals what they like that they can't get locally…then fill that need.

4. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

Something new businesses do extremely well was to network with the local community well before the restaurant opened its doors. Welcomed the community to view progress in constructing your new location. Also attend local business chamber meetings as an owner before you serve to the public. Work very closely with representatives of local government as well as community groups to get the word out when you’re opening. By the time you’re ready for a grand opening, the entire community will be aware. As a result, you’ll open strong and continue to maintain a growing base of customers.

5. BE A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY

Want to build a following?  Quickly become the "go to" location for fundraisers, holiday parties, and church & school carnivals. Heavy community involvement can greatly benefit you from the increased exposure to new visitors participating in the various events. By doing this type of business you can gain a reputation as a community-friendly establishment, resulting in greater patronage and exposure.

6. HAVE A PLAN FOR THE FUTURE

A problem with many snack food start-ups is a lack of vision. It is important for the entire organization, from owners to managers to servers, to understand the vision and mission of the business. However, before the staff can do this the owners must stop and think about where they want to go. Owners need to stop being tactical long enough to be strategic in order to ensure a future for the business.

7. BE NIMBLE, BE QUICK

The advantage of a small business is the ability to change course "on the fly." Running any business requires making adjustments. Owners, management and staff must constantly be on the lookout for those things that do not work and make immediate changes to achieve the desired outcomes. Unfortunately, many small businesses get caught up on the day-to-day and fail to stop and look around and analyze outcomes to see if plans are working as expected.

8. BE OPPORTUNISTIC

Small business owners must always be on the lookout for opportunities. Such opportunities may include collaboration, filling newly discovered unmet needs, or any other circumstance that may suddenly appear. Such opportunities may not last very long. In other cases, taking advantage early may provide long-term benefits. Regardless, small business owners need to be able to get above the weeds often to identify opportunities that can benefit the business.

 

Home of Los Angeles Churros at Beach Cities Wholesalers!

When you're looking for Churros in Los Angeles, Beach Cities Wholesalers is the place to go. 

Not only to we carry both Tio Pepe's Churros and California Churros, but we carry them in bulk.  Our freezer is ALWAYS full of Wholesale Churros.  We sell Tio Pepe's Churros in both the 10 inch and 16 inch sizes, 100 counts.  We also carry California Churros, 100 counts.

Frozen Churros could not easier to prepare.  You can bake, heat, steam or fry our churros.  Then all you need is sugar and cinnamon and you have a delicious, crunchy treat.

We can deliver cases of Tio Pepe's Churros and California Churros with a minimum order of $300.00 throughout LA and OC counties.  And you can call us for deliveries in San Diego, San Bernardino, Riverside and Ventura counties as well!

We also carry Churro Bites and California filled Churros.  Not only that, we also sell heat-and-serve SuperPretzels, and Funnel Cakes.

And if you only need one case of frozen churros, walk on in.  We're a cash and carry, and have churros available every day we are open.

Beach Cities Wholesalers are the premiere distributor of wholesale frozen churros.  Call us today to place your order for Wholesale Frozen Churros!

The Best Kettle Corn Ever?! Use Monster Mushroom and Magic Mushroom Popcorn Seed!

Mushroom Popcorn Seed is the best choice for making kettle corn or caramel corn. We carry Monster Mushroom and Magic Mushroom Popcorn Seeds.

Monster Mushroom and Magic Mushroom Popcorn Seeds pop round "ball-shaped" kernels which coat better than butterfly seeds.  It's the best way add flavors to popcorn like Glaze Pop, Savory Shakers and Cheese Paste!

If you're a first-time user Kettle Corn maker, you'll be amazed by the volume and taste you get using Mushroom Popcorn Seed.  Mushroom Popcorn Seed equals Superior Yield, Excellent Quality and Pure Profit!

Monster Mushroom and Magic Mushroom Popcorn Seeds!  Available every day at Beach Cities Wholesalers!

Order 10 bags in the Southern California area and we'll deliver for free!

Keeping Concession Equipment Clean = Good for Business!

Owning and working  a concession or a food cart can be a fun and rewarding way to make a living or earn extra income.  Beach Cities Wholesalers can show you how!

Of course, food stand ownership carries its share of challenges. Licenses, permits, health department inspections and the occasional battle for a good, profitable location all come with the territory. But the process of navigating through obstacles and administrative requirements usually becomes smoother as owners of food carts develop their systems and gain more experience.

Equipment Care Key to Successful Concession Business:

Equipment such as the popcorn machine, nacho dispenser and the sno-kone^® maker are the “tools of the trade” within a concession stand. Food cart owners depend on these and other food service devices to be fully operational each time they open for business. Equipment problems can be devastating during a busy day of delivering snacks, and will more often than not send potential customers into the hands of competition. Simply put, food stand owners cannot afford equipment breakdowns!

Therefore, it is extremely important for food stand owners to thoroughly clean their concession equipment every time it is used. This is especially true when it comes to machines that tend to get quite messy or sticky, such as a popcorn popper or a cotton candy maker. It’s worth the time and effort to completely empty and wipe down these devices at the end of the day.

It’s very easy for salt, debris or sugary remnants to accumulate inside of intakes or on the moving parts within these machines. The result can cause clogging, loss of performance and breakdowns.

Cleaning tips are available within each machine’s instruction manual or through a variety of other sources, such as companies that provide concession equipment. Beach Cities Wholesalers, is a great resource for information on concession equipment maintenance and snack machine replacement parts. We only sell Gold Medal Equipment, a leader in the industry and a good friend to concession stand owners the world over.

Call us at Beach Cities Wholesalers and we can show you how to best care and maintain your money-making equipment!

---

FUN POPCORN FACTS!

The oldest known corn pollen was discovered in an 80,000-year-old fossil found 200 feet below Mexico City.

Researchers found evidence dating from 3,000 to 6,700 years ago that inhabitants on Peru's northern coast made popcorn. The oldest ears of popcorn are about 5,600 years old and were discovered in the Bat Cave of New Mexico. The ear sizes range from smaller than a penny to about 2 inches.

A 1,000-year-old popped kernel was found in a southwestern Utah cave that was occupied by Pueblo Native American predecessors.

In 1612, French explorers noted the Iroquois popped corn in heated sand to make soup. Colonial families ate popcorn with sugar and cream for breakfast.

Street vendors in the 1890s used steam or gas-powered poppers.

Popcorn's popularity exploded during World War II when sugar rationing and the 24-hour/day movies brought popcorn to the forefront.

Now people eat more than 16 billion quarts of popped corn each year --- and that's just in America! So get ready to pop up the fun with this delicious snack!

Beach Cities Wholesalers can help YOU start your own Popcorn Store, or add to your popcorn sales.  Call us today and let us work for you!

BUILD YOUR OWN POPCORN PRODUCTION PLANT!!

Beach Cities Wholesalers can make your popcorn dreams come true: Your Popcorn Shop Dreams, that is... We can help redefine the future and design your own financial freedom. That’s the power of the new Build Your Own Popcorn Production System. Operators asked for more control over their popcorn and gourmet corn production, so Beach Cities Wholesalers distributes equipment to help you created a completely customizable, one-stop shop for popping up profits.

This revolutionary setup is extremely versatile. The equipment is independent of each other, interchangeable, and can be retrofitted in the field. Beach Cities Wholesalers can show you how you can add as many machines as they need, run only the items they want, and control their investments.

 

Selections include:

• 48, 60, or 79-inch tables
• 36 to 60-ounce poppers
• Domestic/export options for all equipment
• Right/left-hand kettle dump options for poppers and Corn Treat Mixers
• Salt/Sweet Switch (lowers the kettle temperature by about 40° to keep the sugar from burning)
• Bag-in-Box or bucket oil systems
• 5 or 10-gallon Corn Treat Mixers and digital displays
• Filter and Karmel Kool systems
• Plus, a pull-out corn storage bin is a standard features and holds 50 lbs.

The options are endless! For more information on this system or any other product, contact Beach Cities Wholesalers at 562-355-4074 and info@beachcitieswholesalers.com, or check out the website at www.beachcitieswholesalers.com.

 

Beach Cities Wholesalers - the place to go in Southern California when you want to build your own Popcorn Shop!!

CHICAGO CORN: What the heck?! How do I make that?

Half cheese popcorn and half caramel popcorn, Chicago-style popcorn or "Chicago Corn" (also known as "Christmas Corn" in Southern California) is a uniquely satisfying mix of sweet and savory flavors. This irresistible mix has been around for at least half a century and probably longer. However, the origins of this addictive combination are somewhat up for debate.

One thing about Chicago Corn most everyone agrees on is that, as its name would imply, the mix originated in Chicago, Illinois, a city rich in popcorn history, as this is where the first popcorn machine was invented. The Windy City is also the birthplace of caramel popcorn, which German immigrants to Chicago Fritz and Louis William Rueckheim invented at the end of the 19th century. The brothers also invented Cracker Jack, a combination of caramel popcorn and peanuts.

But how, exactly, did the Chicago-style mix come about, and who is responsible for its invention? Well, those specifics are up for debate. According to one legend, it was fate – or more accurately, Chicago’s famously windy weather – that first cheese and caramel popcorn combo. The legend says that the two flavors were always served separately until one day the wind brought them together, and the rest is gourmet popcorn history.

Whether you want to give the credit to Chicago’s blustery weather, one thing you can’t deny is the mix’s legendary tastiness. And even better, today, anyone can make their own Chicago-style popcorn as long as they have the ingredients and supplies to make caramel corn and cheese corn.

To make your own Chicago-style mix, check out these Gold Medal Products instructions on how to make caramel popcorn and this GMP video on how to make cheese corn. Keep in mind that some Chicago-style recipes also include regular popcorn. You may want to do this also, or even create a mix that is uniquely your own by adding other flavors such as chocolate, cinnamon, or hot-and-spicy. Who knows, in the future, maybe your popcorn franchise will be the next big name in Chicago-style popcorn!

First Ever UL Sanitation Machines!

New Models: 3030C & 3052C

Updated Features:

New UL Sanitation Floss Head!

The ONLY UL Sanitation Approved floss machines in the industry on the market today.  This is your chance to trump the competition and gain an advantage in the market.

Quick Release Floss Cap and Floaters

New molded rubber floaters are impervious to debris and bacteria.  They easily adjust for the airlift that is needed for different climates.

Molded rubber floaters and floss head are patent pending.

Spring loaded retaining cap makes assembly and disassembly easy for cleaning without the use of tools.

Big Changes:

·        Small Cabinets

·        New style Lock-N-Go™ handles

·        Redesigned bell housing sugar seal

·        Bowl positioning brackets with bumper

·        IEC power connector for easy cord replacement

 

·        Flip down front door for easy maintenance

 

ORDER ONE TODAY!

Call Us: 562-355-4074

2021 W. 17th Street

Long Beach, CA  90813

www.beachcitieswholesalers.com

Coming to the FACTORY SUPER SALE!!  Print this ad, bring it in to the Factory Super Sale and add an additional 5% to low prices between 9:00am to 10:00am both days!

Need popcorn cotton candy snow cone machines?

Think equipment is cheaper online?
Come to our Factory Super Sale!
Bring in proof of price with their shipping plus sales tax and we'll match it!

TWO DAYS!
March 11th-12th 9am-4pm
at the BCW Warehouse
2021 W. 17th Street
Long Beach, CA  90813
Phone: 562-355-4074 

Talk to experts on concession & snack bar planning to optimize profit!
 See and operate many of our new & proven fun food equipment items.

CHECK OUT THE NEW 3030C & 3052C
The First & Only UL Sanitation Floss Heads!
Molded rubber floaters that are impervious to debris and bacteria. They easily adjust for the airlift that is needed for different types of climates.
Spring loaded retaining cap makes assembly and disassembly easy for cleaning without the use of tools.

COME SEE THE NEW STANDARD
IN COTTON CANDY MACHINES!!

http://beachcitieswholesalers.com/FactorySale_files/2014_Super_Sale.htm

Cotton Candy’s Flavor Revolution

Cotton Candy has come a long way since its invention in 1897. Not only has its name changed from “Fairy Floss” (the name “cotton candy” didn’t catch on until the 1920s), but its production method has also changed with the invention new technology, and in more recent years, cotton candy makers have gotten a lot more creative in terms of flavors.
Although cotton candy was originally spun by hand, in the 1970s, the first automatic cotton candy machine was built. This machine made it easier to make and sell cotton candy at fairs, carnivals, stores, etc.
In recent years, the biggest innovations in the cotton candy world have to do with the multitude of different flavors that are now available. This “flavor revolution” is in part thanks to the gourmet food trend and the reimagining of foods like cotton candy, once restricted mostly to events like carnivals, as gourmet treats to be enjoyed year-round.
Pink-vanilla was the original cotton candy flavor, but today, cotton candy runs the gamut of flavors (and colors). Mint, bubble gum, piña colada, sour apple, tropical fruit, lemon, lime, banana, grape, cherry, watermelon, raspberry, and chocolate (including chocolate variations like chocolate-cherry, chocolate-strawberry, and chocolate-orange) are just a few. For some cotton candy makers, even wilder flavors like pistachio and fois gras are not out of the question.
Maple cotton candy and bacon cotton candy are two of the newest gourmet cotton candy flavors to hit the market. In the past year or so, these trendy new flavors have taken off in a major way. Maple cotton candy is considered such a special sweet treat that some people are starting to serve it up at weddings and other special events, and bacon cotton candy can be seen as part of the larger trend of “bacon everything.”
All in all, while cotton candy has come a long way over the years, from “carnival treat” to “gourmet eat,” it has maintained its classic appeal, which it probably why it’s remained so popular over the years. Although there are now countless flavors to choose from, cotton candy still hits the taste buds in the same light, heavenly way it has for more than a century. For this reason, cotton candy is poised to remain a hit for centuries to come.
Come to Beach Cities Wholesalers to see the full array of Cotton Candy Flavors and Colors!

CHECK OUT THE NEW 3030C & 3052C

The First & Only UL Sanitation Floss Heads!
Molded rubber floaters that are impervious to debris and bacteria. They easily adjust for the airlift that is needed for different types of climates.
Spring loaded retaining cap makes assembly and disassembly easy for cleaning without the use of tools.

COME SEE THE NEW STANDARD
IN COTTON CANDY MACHINES!!

Factory Super Sale!

Need popcorn cotton candy snow cone machines?

Think equipment is cheaper online?

Come to our Factory Super Sale!

Bring in proof of price with their shipping plus sales tax and we'll match it!

TWO DAYS!
March 11th-12th 9am-4pm
at the BCW Warehouse
2021 W. 17th Street
Long Beach, CA  90813
Phone: 562-355-4074 

Talk to experts on concession & snack bar planning to optimize profit!

See and operate many of our new & proven fun food equipment items.

http://beachcitieswholesalers.com/FactorySale_files/2014_Super_Sale.htm