A new survey by the National Confectioners Association has found that while some people like to nibble on candy corn, most just pop the whole kernel in their mouths.

Candy corn may be one of Halloween's more divisive candies with some people expressing a strong dislike for the tri-colored confectionary, but it remains third most popular holiday treat after chocolate and gummy candy, according to NCA. A poll conducted by 210 Analytics on behalf of the association asked respondents how they preferred to eat candy corn: Do they eat the whole candy all at once, or do they start with one of the colored ends?

More than half of respondents (52%) said they just put the whole kernel in their mouth. However, 31% said they prefer to nibble away starting at the white, pointed end while 17% start with the yellow end.

A Wunderlee Candy Company employee named George Renninger invented Candy corn in the 1880s, NCA said. Sugar, corn syrup and other ingredients were cooked into a slurry in large kettles. Fondant and marshmallow were added to give a smooth texture and bite.

Eighty percent of Americans say they plan to trick-or-treat this year, according to an NCA survey. Most parents say they will talk to their kids about balancing treats with healthy food, yet 76% of parents admitted breaking into their children's candy stash after trick-or-treating.

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