What is the first thing you think of when you see or hear the word “sponge”? The most common association is a dish sponge, specifically the yellow ones used for washing, cleaning up spills, or absorbing liquid. Some might say it’s a common metaphor—a “mind like a sponge,” representing someone who quickly absorbs information. Other folks might think of a natural, soft, porous sponge used for bathing. Then there is an idiom which means to concede defeat or give up, and that is to “throw in the sponge.” And we mustn’t forget the light, airy cake known as sponge cake.
As slang, a “sponge” can typically refer to a person who habitually takes money, food, or resources from others without giving back, like a parasite, moocher, or freeloader. To “sponge off of” someone means to rely on them for financial or material support, typically in a lazy or exploitative manner.
However, when I hear or see the word sponge, my thoughts go back to my early childhood—stopping in at the general store on my way home from school to purchase sponge candy. Sponge candy is a light, crunchy, and airy toffee with a porous, sponge-like texture. Made by heating sugar, corn syrup, and sometimes vinegar; baking soda is added at the end to create carbon dioxide bubbles, giving it a toasted molasses flavour and texture that melts in the mouth.
Some refer to it as sponge toffee, but to this eight-year-old, it was simply “sponge.” It is highly sensitive to humidity and heat, making it a popular winter treat. We could also purchase it in warmer weather, but it had to be stored in the fridge during the summer months. As mentioned above, the key ingredients in sponge candy are sugar, corn syrup, baking soda, and vinegar. That’s basically it! These ingredients are naturally gluten-free, so high-fives to the candy lovers in today’s world! Traditional toffee is hard, brittle, and buttery, but the secret to sponge candy is air. During the candy-making process, air is introduced into the mix by adding baking soda and vinegar.
Sponge candy’s origin is kind of elusive; I have no idea where exactly it came from. However, what I do know is that sponge candy was sold at our local general store in the 1950s. I’ve even read that sponge candy has several different names! Depending on where you are in the world, it may be called hokey pokey, angel food candy, seafoam candy, cinder toffee, or honeycomb, but I’ve only known it as sponge candy. Can sponge candy go bad? I’ve read that sponge candy should be enjoyed within eight weeks, as it is susceptible to moisture, which makes the candy start to dissolve. I never had that problem, however, as it only lasted in my hands for a couple of days. Now, the good news is that you can still purchase sponge candy (often called sponge toffee) in Nova Scotia, either at specialty shops or at the Bulk Barn, year-round.
Born and raised in Nova Scotia, Marilyn and Bill met and married in 1972. Having raised 3 boys and accumulated a respectable number of grand-children and great-grand-children, she wrote her first book and published it in 2024. A collection of short stories titled The Kendricks of Glasgow Junction. She is contributing short stories about growing up in Nova Scotia to this website and will be publishing a collection of them in the near future.