Fresh Cotton Candy Has a Clock
Cotton candy is one of those wonderfully simple treats that feels a little bit like magic. Sugar goes in, a fluffy cloud comes out, and somewhere along the way we're expected not to eat half of it ourselves.
But that light, fluffy texture also means cotton candy is sensitive to its surroundings. Freshness, packaging, temperature and especially humidity all matter, which is why we make our cotton candy fresh and carefully plan production around when you actually need it.
So, how long does cotton candy stay fresh? We recommend enjoying ours within one week, provided it stays sealed and is stored properly. Once opened, it's best enjoyed within 24 hours.
There are a few things you can do to help keep that fluff fluffy.
Why Does Cotton Candy Shrink?
Humidity. Every cotton candy spinner's favourite weather forecast.
Cotton candy is made from extremely fine strands of spun sugar, and sugar naturally attracts moisture from the air. As those delicate strands absorb moisture, they begin to soften and collapse. What started as a big fluffy puff can become smaller, denser and eventually sticky.
This is also why two packages of cotton candy can have very different experiences depending on where they're stored. A sealed tub sitting somewhere cool and dry in Alberta is living a very different life from cotton candy exposed to a humid summer afternoon.
Heat can make matters worse, but moisture is the big one.
How Should You Store Cotton Candy?
The best thing you can do is keep it sealed until you're ready to enjoy it and store it in a cool, dry place away from heat, direct sunlight and moisture.
For the best experience:
- Enjoy your cotton candy within one week.
- Keep it sealed and stored somewhere cool and dry.
- Avoid heat, sunlight and moisture.
- Once opened, enjoy it within 24 hours.
Cotton candy isn't something we'd recommend opening early to arrange on a table hours before your guests arrive. That packaging is doing an important job until it's time to eat. That's also why we put our cotton candy in bags or tubs; the presentation is already done for you, and it helps to keep the freshness intact.
Why Do We Make Our Cotton Candy Fresh?
Because technically lasting and actually being great are two different things.
We aren't interested in making cotton candy months ahead simply because sugar itself has a long shelf life. What we care about is the part you actually want: that soft, fluffy texture.
We make our cotton candy fresh and schedule production around your order or event date. If you're ordering for a specific celebration, make sure we know when you need it so we can plan accordingly.
It's a little more work on our end, but fresh cotton candy is worth it.
Can You Ship Cotton Candy?
Yes, but there's an important thing to know before sending those fluffy little clouds out into the world: we can't control the weather at the other end.
Cotton candy reacts to humidity, and destinations outside Alberta can have considerably different conditions. If your order is travelling to a more humid destination, the cotton candy may shrink or deflate during transit or upon arrival. This is why if you're ordering cotton candy for shipping, especially out of Alberta, Cotton Candy Tubs are the right choice.
That doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong with the cotton candy. Moisture in the air is simply doing what moisture does to spun sugar.
Because those conditions are outside our control, we can't offer refunds for cotton candy that shrinks or deflates due to humidity. If you're ordering from outside Alberta, it's something worth considering before choosing cotton candy for your event or gift. Best rule of thumb: ask us! We love a good chat!
What About Cotton Candy at an Outdoor Event?
Outdoor cotton candy is absolutely doable. In fact, we do it all the time!
A hot, dry day and a hot, humid day can produce very different results, and fresh-spun puffs are particularly exposed to the surrounding air. That's why we keep an eye on the weather and adjust our setup accordingly. If we know we'll be spinning in direct sunlight, we can bring a tent for shade. If it's windy, we can turn and shift our dome covers to help protect the cotton candy as we spin.
And there’s one big advantage to a live Cotton Candy Cart: those puffs are about as fresh as cotton candy gets. They're spun right in front of you and handed directly to you, so they don't have much time to worry about the weather before they disappear.
Mostly because they're delicious. Obviously.
If you're planning an outdoor event, just let us know. We’ll consider the conditions and plan the setup and service style around what makes sense for your event.
Fresh Is Kind of Our Thing
Cotton candy isn't meant to sit around forever, and we don't think that's a downside.
We make ours fresh, package it for the way it's being used and help you choose the right option for your event. Whether that's fresh-spun puffs straight from our Cotton Candy Cart or packaged cotton candy ready to hand out, the goal is the same: cotton candy that reaches your guests the way cotton candy should.
If you're trying to decide which option makes the most sense for your event, we've got you covered there too.
Check out our Cotton Candy Event options, featuring plenty of sweet treats!
Continue Exploring
Want to know a little more before you pick your fluff? You might also enjoy:
-
What Type of Cotton Candy Is Best for Your Event? Find the right fit, from fresh-spun puffs and tubs to bags, bombs, cakes and more.
- How Does a Cotton Candy Cart Work for an Event? See what to expect when we bring fresh-spun cotton candy right to your event.
- Can You Customize Cotton Candy for an Event? Explore 75+ flavours, custom colours, sugar-free options, branding and more.
