Like a lot of people, I grew up thinking that candy corn was the worst candy you could get on Halloween. For years, decades even, I dodged candy corn. The orange, yellow, and white triangles looked like small pieces of chalk inside a bag. At the end of the season, they were always the candy that people left behind. I realized that you either really loved candy corn or hated it; there was no in-between. Knowing that I had never really given the candy a true chance, I typically stayed out of the debate, but if asked, I went with the masses and agreed that I did not like candy corn.

That was until last Halloween, when I decided to give it a try. My aunt is one of those people who loves candy corn. She would brag about how good it was with peanuts. While visiting her, she had already mixed a bag of candy corn and salted peanuts in a plastic bag, so I decided to give it a try. The combination surprised me; the salty crunch of the peanuts balanced the sugary, waxy sweetness of the candy corn. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either.

Afterward, I wondered how many others secretly liked candy corn. Someone must — about 35 million pounds are sold each year, according to the National Confectioners Association. The treat isn’t even limited to Halloween anymore. Candy maker Brach’s has leaned into marketing, releasing new flavors and even teaming up with singer Michelle Williams for a candy-corn-themed song.

I realized that the enemy is not candy corn. It’s the opinions of others that helped shape my own, with no real reason why. A lot of people love to hate candy corn, and I followed along. That made me think about what else I’ve judged based on someone else’s taste instead of my own.

Now, when I see candy corn, I don’t rush to grab it, but I don’t avoid it either. I think of my aunt, who shifted my years of judgment with one small bite. Maybe candy corn doesn’t need everyone to love it. Like any misunderstood tradition, it just needs enough of us willing to give it another chance.

Andria Childress is a senior journalism major.

Copy edited by Brandon Anaya