Five Fun Facts from Ruth Hunt Candies in Mount Sterling, Kentucky

Today we start a new series featuring "Five Fun Facts" from Gozaic partners. With Valentine's Day approaching, we present Ruth Hunt Candies in Mount Sterling, Kentucky. It's not too late to order sweets for your sweetheart. Among the favorite confections at Ruth Hunt Candies are Kentucky pulled-cream candy, caramels, mallow caramels and bourbon balls. But, it is Ruth Hunt's Blue Monday Sweet Bar that is the most famous.

In 1921, Ruth Hunt began selling the confections her friends and family always loved. From the time she made them in her home kitchen in Mount Sterling, Kentucky, to their creation in the current 15,000-square-foot factory, Ruth Hunt's candies have been steeped with the flavor of Kentucky and the tradition of absolute quality. Today, more than 70 varieties of candy are made, using many of Ruth Hunt's original recipes. From the huge old marble slabs to the hand-stirred, spun-copper kettles, the atmosphere is flavored with sights and smells of "homemade" candy.

Here are five fun facts from Ruth Hunt Candies:

How did the Blue Monday get its name? Ruth Hunt created a wonderful candy bar, but couldn't decide on a name until a traveling minister paid her a visit and remarked, "Every Monday I must have a little sweet to help me through my blue Monday!"

Official Candy Maker of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Since 1993, Ruth Hunt Candies has been the official candy maker of Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby. Visit Kentucky during Derby time and stop by Ruth Hunt's for a tour. Purchase an official box of candy, featuring a thoroughbred racehorse scene from an original oil painting of Churchill Downs.

Woodford Reserve Bourbon Balls. In 1996, Ruth Hunt Candies started producing Woodford Reserve Bourbon Balls. The combination of award-winning Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Ruth Hunt's confectionery magic has resulted in an exceptional confection. After visiting Ruth Hunt Candies, take an hour's drive to the Woodford Reserve Distillery in Versailles for a tour, and learn about the bourbon-making process. Kentucky makes 95 percent of the world's bourbon.

World Equestrian Events. In September 2010, Kentucky will host the Alltech Federation Equestre Internationale World Equestrian Events at the Kentucky Horse Park near Lexington. Ruth Hunt is an official candy maker for these games and is providing world equestrian games confections. This is the first time the world equestrian events have been hosted outside of Europe. Lexington touts itself as "the horse capital of the world."

Chocolate Louisville Slugger. If your trip through Kentucky winds through Louisville, visit the Louisville Slugger Museum. The chocolate baseball bats, with the official Louisville Slugger logo, sold at the museum are produced at Ruth Hunt Candies.

Have you tasted Ruth Hunt candies? If so, tell us about your favorites in the comments section below.

Photos courtesy of Ruth Hunt Candies