Fall has arrived. It’s time for cider, pumpkins, bonfires—and candy. But one treat screams “autumn” more than any other.

It makes its way into trail mix. It sits atop cupcakes. It appears on home décor and seasonal clothing. And it’s the subject of endless debate. That treat is, of course, candy corn.

A company called Brach’s makes most of the world’s candy corn. Every fall, Brach’s makes 30 million pounds of the seasonal sweet. That’s enough to circle the Earth five times. (Talk about a stomach ache!) Last year, stores sold $88.5 million worth of the candy.

Despite those numbers, the debate rages. Is candy corn delicious? Or is it disgusting?

Some people love the waxy texture and the burst of sugar. Others hate it for the exact same reasons.

Abby Obenchain sides with the haters. Candy corn reminds her of childhood trips to the dentist. “A bowl of candy corn looks to me like a bowl of old teeth,” she says.

Others find the candies too sweet and plain. Jennifer Walker describes them as “big ole lumps of dyed sugar.”

She’s not far off. Candy corn is mostly sugar, corn syrup, glaze, salt, gelatin, honey, and dye.

Richard Hartel teaches candy science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. (Yes, that’s a real job.) His students enjoy making candy corn in the candy lab.

“It’s the flavor, I think, that puts some people off,” he says. “It sort of tastes like butter and honey. And some people don’t like the texture, but it’s really not that much different than the center of a chocolate-covered butter cream.”

Other folks love it. Some fans munch candy corn while sipping tea. Some eat it color-by-color, starting with the white part. Kids stack the candies into corncob-shaped towers.

Aaron Sadler is the spokesman for the city of Little Rock, Arkansas. He keeps a stash of candy corn in his desk. He describes the flavor as “sugary bliss.”

“My fiancée can’t stand that I like candy corn,” he says. “I buy it and I get this look of disdain but I don’t care. I just keep plugging on.”

Which side are you on? Email your answer to WORLDkidseditor@gwnews.com!

The Bible describes God’s words as sweeter than honey. (Psalm 119:103) God wants us to enjoy Him even more than the most delicious treat. Too much candy might leave us feeling sick. But God’s word gives us strength.

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! — Psalm 34:8