Are your gummy bears from last Halloween now as hard as rocks? Fear not, a recent study has used physics and chemistry to determine what factors cause gummies to become almost impossible to chew, and how to keep them gummy for as long as possible.
Gummies are all about texture, and their internal chemistry can change over time due to ingredient content and storage. The researchers experimented with different formulas and storage methods to create the ultimate gummy. The main ingredients of a gummy are glucose syrup, sucrose, starch, gelatin, and water. The ratio of glucose syrup to sucrose is especially important because it has the most influence on gummy texture. Gelatin and starch are polymers and gelling agents that help give gummies their iconic texture.
The researchers even included a recipe for making your own gummy bears! First, a mixture of glucose, sucrose, and water is brought to boiling in an open saucepan. Gelatin and starch are soaked in warm water for a while and then incorporated into the mixture. Finally, citric acid, color, and flavoring are added. The gummy ooze is poured into molds and stored until most of its water has evaporated. Any excess starch is brushed off the cooled gummies.
The researchers also wanted to see how storage would affect different batches of gummies. Gummies from each batch were divided into subgroups, and each subgroup was stored at one of three different temperatures over the course of a year. The winner across all temperatures had the highest level of gelatin and was devoid of starch. It also contained the highest ratio of glucose to sucrose, which increased the distance between crosslinks, making it softer and stretchier.
Tireki’s team also wants to investigate how to improve the shelf life of plant-based gummies, which are made not with gelatin but a soluble fiber derived from tapioca. In the meantime, asking a scientist might be the best way to find out if that bag of gummies will really last from one Halloween to the next.
So, if you want to keep your gummies gooey and delicious, pay attention to the ingredients and storage methods. And who knows, maybe you’ll even try making your own gummy bears!
A recent study released by world-renowned confectionery scientists has revealed a groundbreaking method to extend the chewiness of Gummy Bears.
The study, funded by top international restaurateurs, sought to determine whether or not it is possible to keep Gummy Bears from becoming stale, and the results have surprised even the most experienced of confectioners.
The scientists used a special technique to extend the life of the Gummy Bear to weeks on end, unlike the traditional method in which the Gummy Bear loses its texture and chewiness just days after manufacture.
The method involved the addition of a carefully selected citrus-flavoured extract to the Gummy Bears, in precisely small amounts, then allowing the Gummy Bears to soak in the extract overnight.
According to the head scientist and project leader, the result was a Gummy Bear that was both soft and delicious, with a texture that lasted much longer than the norm.
The team went on to discover that the citrus extract served to balance the moisture levels and allowed the Gummy Bears to maintain their chewiness and texture for up to three weeks.
This breakthrough discovery has been welcomed with open arms by Gummy Bear aficionados all over the globe, as they can now enjoy their favorite sweet treat for much longer without sacrificing on taste or texture.
The confectionery scientists are now working hard to replicate their success with other types of sweets and candies, so that future generations of Gummy Bear lovers can enjoy these treats even longer than before.
What a delightful breakthrough!
