What's In That Candy???

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Photo Credit: CCO Public Domain via Pixabay.com

Now that Halloween is over and we have all this candy that we can't wait to devour, we thought it would be interesting to investigate what makes each candy so different in texture and taste.

Let's start with our favorites, gummy worms, and jelly beans. Ever wondered what gives them the smooth, shiny texture. Well, wonder no more - its wax, to be more precise Carnauba Wax, which comes from the leaves of carnauba palm from Brazil. It is also used in car wax, shoe polish, and cosmetics like lipstick, eyeshadow, and mascara.

Image Credit: CCO public domain via Pixabay.com

To bind the ingredients in treats like gumdrops, caramels and M&M's, manufacturers use an ingredient called Acacia Gum. This comes from the hardened sap of the Acacia Senegal trees, found in Africa. Acacia Gum is also used in postage stamps, paint, and fireworks.

The smooth texture of chocolates is thanks to Lecithin, a by-product of soybean oil. It is also found in margarine, infant formula, soap, and dyes. Dextrose, a simple sugar derived from cornstarch is what makes chocolates sweet. The human body also produces its own dextrose from all the food that we eat. It is the body's primary source of energy. Dextrose is also found in medicines and pet food.

Image Credit: CCO public domain via Pixabay.com

Finally, and one of the most difficult to spell and pronounce is the ingredient that makes chocolate melt in your mouth. It's called Polyglycerol Polyricinoleate or PGPR for short and is makes those chocolate chips so gooey in a freshly baked chocolate chip cookie! Yum!

So next time your mom yells at you for eating too much "sugar," remind her of all these other unusual ingredients that are also present in the candy.

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1208 Comments
  • candyover 5 years
    yummy candy!!!!!!!!!!!!
    • joseover 5 years
      wow nice
      • AMARI BROWNover 5 years
        that looks so good that i was about to eat the computer
        • ellasin
          ellasinover 5 years
          I love candy🍭🍬
          • sh4d0wf0xy227
            sh4d0wf0xy227over 5 years
            now I have an excuse for eating too many lollies
            • Cgtfgftbhgftrnsover 5 years
              It looks sooooooo good
              • woahover 5 years
                well... that explains things...😨
                • leahover 5 years
                  i have a problem that I HATE READING. last year we had to write essays about a topic and our teacher suggested DOGO news. now one year later i still do not like to read but i use this website to subbstute reading a book. sorry i am not good at spelling
                  • erinleonard27
                    erinleonard27over 5 years
                    👍 nice
                    • Œœfover 5 years
                      Still eating that candy