American adults consume a whopping 65 percent of candy produced every year. This comes as no surprise because who can resist hard or chewy candy anyway? Or the inviting smell of chocolate candy emanating from a candy bowl? Candy, also known as a lollipop, comes in all forms of sizes, shapes, and varieties, including gourmet candy and tootsie rolls. The story behind candy sweetness is nothing short of interesting. Read on to learn a tad more!
The History of Candies
Candy was, in most cases, sold unwrapped many years back. As you have probably guessed, this came with tons of criticism. Many people believed that unwrapped candies were a hotspot for germs and dirt. It was not long before the idea of wrapping old fashioned candy in the wax paper was born. Cellophane and foil also became a favorite with time. The better part of candies is that they were homemade during the 1950s. The 1970s saw the introduction of brand named factory sealed lollipops.
Types of Candy
From soft and chewy candy to brittle and hard, candies are of different types. The most common include caramels, hard candies, gummies, chewing gums, cotton candy, and licorice. Bubblegum, also known as chewing gum, is a type of chewy candy. Made of 100% sugar, you are likely to come across cotton candy in amusement parks and carnivals. The design of boiled sweets or hard candies allows them to dissolve in your mouth slowly. Gummies are chewy candy made of gelatin available in different flavors, colors, and shapes. Visiting a nearby candy shop will help you sample
them.
Candy Manufacturing Process
Sugar is the primary candy ingredient whereby it is dissolved in milk or water to make syrup. For solidification purposes, the syrup undergoes boiling for an extended time, and it is then poured in molds. There are numerous candy textures, including hard and chewy candy. Production of jelly candies like gummies and gumdrop involves the use of stabilizers such as gelatin, pectin, and starch. Various factors determine the candy texture. They include the ingredients used as well as the processing temperatures. Chewy candy and other candies are, in most cases, produced commercially. Small differences in aspects such as timing, temperature, and machinery sometimes cause variance in the end product. This explains why it is usually hard to duplicate exact candy texture and taste.
Candy Shelf Life
This refers to the period candy can last without losing its original taste. It is hard for bacteria to thrive in candies. This is because high sugar concentration inhibits bacterial growth. Consequently, your favorite chewy candy enjoys a longer shelf life as compared to other food products.
Candy Packaging Facts
Packaging plays a key role in preventing loss of flavor and aroma. Wax paper does a good job in terms of keeping germs, dust, moisture, and air at bay. Cellophane is also used for packaging purposes due to its transparent nature. It is also a favorite due to its re-sealable properties. Moreover, it protects candies from moisture and grease. Polythene is also an ideal option in terms of bulk packaging. Thanks to packaging, marketing becomes easy as it becomes possible to print names on
wrappers.
Did you know that buying candy in bulk has its advantages? Let us take a closer look as to why this is the case.
Bulk Is Cheaper
If you are a candy addict who ends up spending a pretty penny on lollipops, bulk buying is the way to go. If you were to shop at an online candy shop, you would realize that buying in bulk is cheaper than buying individual boxes. Do you work with organizations like schools and churches? Buying bulk chocolate from an online candy store is a good idea, especially when on a tight budget. The money saved can go to taking care of other items on the budget.
Fun Fundraising Activity
Both adults and kids have a soft spot for candy. Buying bulk personalized candy and giving it to children can be of immense help during fundraisers. The children can sell candy to their family members, neighbors, friends, and even church members. The funds collected can go to supporting school activities such as specific clubs or any other expense.