Summer Candy Melting: Why Some Treats Can’t Take the Heat

As summertime is fast approaching, it's worth looking at how summer heat can turn your favorite candy into a sticky battlefield. But why do some treats melt instantly while others stubbornly hold their shape?

Today, we’re going to dive into the delicious science behind melting points, exploring how ingredients like cocoa butter, sugar ratios, and even wax coatings determine how to keep candy fresh. If you’re a candy shop owner who’s looking to put a halt to candy melting, this article is for you!

The Science of Melting Candy: What’s Inside Really Matters

Let’s start with the basics. Different types of candy react to heat in different ways — and it all comes down to the ingredients they contain.

Take chocolate candy, for instance. Cocoa butter, the fat that gives chocolate its smooth texture, starts to melt at just 93–100°F. That means most chocolate bars are in trouble the moment they leave the A/C. Dark chocolate melts even faster due to its purer composition, while milk and white chocolate (which contain more sugar and milk solids) can hold their form slightly longer.

Compare that to gummy candies or hard candy. Gummies rely on gelatin or pectin to create structure, which means they can handle much higher temperatures before breaking down. But we’ve all experienced the gummies that got too hot and turned your bag of gummy bears into an amorphous gummy blob!

Hard candies like peppermints or lollipops are even more durable, which means their low moisture content and high sugar concentration make them the perfect summer heroes in the candy world.

As a candy retailer, understanding which products in your candy collection are temperature-sensitive can help you optimize your summer candy displays and protect your store’s profits.

Storage Strategies: Keeping Your Candy Fresh All Summer Long

Keeping your chocolate and candy in peak condition isn’t just about air conditioning — it’s also about strategic storage. When the temperature rises, consider these guidelines:

• Store in a cool and dry place. Ideally, most candy should be stored around 65–70°F with low humidity. Moisture can be just as damaging as heat!

• Use airtight containers. For unwrapped items or anything that might attract moisture, store in an airtight container to extend shelf life and keep textures and flavors intact.

• Use cold packs for vulnerable products. If you need to transport chocolate bars or other melt-prone goodies, cold packs are an absolute must! Just make sure they’re wrapped in leak-proof plastic wrap to avoid any condensation damage.

• Rotate your inventory frequently. If you’re a small shop, continue selling heat-sensitive items like chocolate through the summer by implementing the proper storage, shipping, and display strategies discussed here. As temperatures rise, consider also stocking a wider variety of melt-proof treats to give your customers more warm-weather-friendly options.

Proper storage and packaging help ensure your product stays fresh and appealing, even during the most sweltering summer days.

Heat-Proof Heroes: What Candies Survive the Summer Best?

When in doubt, stock up on heat-resistant treats. Here are some top-performing items when the thermometer climbs:

• Hard candies – Think jawbreakers, lollipops, peppermints, and butterscotch disks.

• Gummy candies – Most gummies can handle the heat surprisingly well, especially if they’re coated in a light layer of cornstarch or wax.

• Taffy & licorice – Flexible, chewy candies like saltwater taffy or licorice ropes generally fare better than chocolates under high temps.

• Individually-wrapped candies – heat stable options like wrapped caramels, butterscotch, or fruit chews not only resist melting, but they also stay cleaner and more presentable in warm or hot conditions.

• Coated treats – Candies with a protective shell (like candy-coated nuts or candy-coated chocolate, like M&Ms or Sixlets) can hold out longer in the heat.

These melt-proof warriors are your best bet for displays, online orders, and window-front bins during the summer season.

Shipping Candy in the Heat: Redstone’s Got You Covered

Worried about sending chocolate and candy to customers during the warmer months? You’re not alone, so don’t fret! This is where Redstone Foods truly shines. With almost 60 years of industry experience, we’ve developed industry-leading shipping methods that help keep your products safe, delicious, and looking their best!

Our climate-controlled warehouse (the largest candy-specific warehouse in the Southwest!) ensures that your order stays cool and protected from the moment it’s packed. And when it comes to shipping, we include cold packs and insulated materials for heat-sensitive items, so your candy order arrives fresh, and not a fused-together mess.

Whether you’re shipping bulk orders of chocolate candy or a mix of sweets for a retail event, we’ll help you prevent chocolate from melting before it even hits your store’s shelves.

Seasonal Strategy: Tips for Smart Merchandising

Summer is also a great time to promote heat-resistant options. Create seasonal displays that highlight “melt-proof” treats and include signage that educates your customers about storing candy properly in warm weather.

Consider bundling products by theme (like “road trip snacks” or “picnic-ready sweets”) to grab your customers’ attention. And be sure to include reminders on your website or online store with tips for keeping candy fresh after purchase.

Inventory Management: Protecting Quality, Preserving Reputation

In the world of candy retail, success doesn’t just come from having a great selection, it comes from maintaining the highest standards of product quality. During the hot summer months, effective inventory management becomes even more essential. Chocolates, gummies, and other heat-sensitive confections can quickly lose their appeal if they’re exposed to poor storage conditions or left sitting too long on the shelf.

Quality assurance starts with organization. Implementing a FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation system helps ensure older stock gets sold before newer arrivals. This reduces the chance of products going stale, developing off-flavors, or suffering from faded packaging. All of these could negatively impact your customer’s experience, which will hurt your business. Regular inventory checks also help you spot heat-related damage before a customer does.

Environmental monitoring tools can be your secret weapon. A few smart devices can help preserve candy shelf life and protect product integrity:

• Temperature sensors for storage rooms and back stock areas help prevent accidental spoilage, especially for chocolate candy and other delicate treats.

• Humidity controls reduce the risk of clumping, warping, or developing sticky surfaces on gummy candies and taffy.

• Digital thermometers in display cases make it easy for your staff to ensure products remain in a cool and dry environment.

• Automated climate systems can take the guesswork out of temperature adjustments, giving you peace of mind that your candy is always being properly stored in a cool environment.

• Seasonal demand planning also plays a huge role. Use historical sales data to anticipate peak demand for heat-resistant summer candy and reduce orders of melt-prone products that may be riskier to stock in high quantities during the hottest months.

Training your staff to recognize signs of heat damage and to properly rotate and handle stock can go a long way in protecting your inventory and most importantly, your reputation. Ultimately, inventory management isn’t just about tracking numbers. It’s about making sure every customer walks out of your store with something that looks and tastes as amazing as it should. In this business, freshness builds trust, and trust builds repeat customers – one sweet experience at a time!

At Redstone Foods, we understand that having the right products is just the beginning. Protecting your inventory (especially during the heat of summer) is key to delivering the quality your customers expect and deserve. From understanding the science behind melting points to refining your shipping, display, and storage strategies, a little extra care goes a long way in preserving candy quality, which will help you keep your customers coming back for more!

If you're looking for a reliable partner who understands the unique challenges of candy retail, reach out to Redstone Foods by phone, or create an account with us today! As America’s favorite candy distributor, we’re here to help you deliver the freshest, highest-quality treats, through the rain, snow, sunshine, or whatever comes our way!

1-800-444-3520