In Brazil, caramel apples are known as “maçãs de amor,” or love apples, which are made by caramelizing sugar and red food dye on apples attached to popsicle sticks. These treats are popular for Brazilian Valentine’s Day (June 12) and at the festa junina celebrations held in the Brazilian winter.

According to a Globo report, the maçã de amor was originally introduced to Brazil by a family of Spanish immigrants in São Paulo in the 1950s. The family of dessert makers set up a successful business which exists to this day, and even patented the love apple recipe in 1959.

The patent has since expired, and the love apple has been imitated throughout the country and has become a staple of Brazilian candy shops. The treat is especially popular in June.

The Farre family, which first brought the recipe to Brazil, carefully guards their original recipe. They sell their famous candy at their shop in Tatuapé, on the east side of Sao Paulo.