Gummy candy

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Gummy candy
Fale - Barcellona - 194.jpg
Collection of gummy candies at a market in Barcelona
Alternative namesGummies, jelly sweets
Type Confectionery
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Germany
Main ingredients Gelatin
Variations Gummy bear, Jelly Babies, gummi worms

Gummies, gummi candies, gummy candies, or jelly sweets are a broad category of gelatin-based chewable sweets. Gummy bears, Sour Patch Kids, and Jelly Babies are widely popular and are a well-known part of the sweets industry. Gummies are available in a wide variety of shapes, most commonly seen as colorful depictions of living things such as bears, babies, or worms. Various brands such as Bassett's, Haribo, Albanese, Betty Crocker, Hersheys, Disney and Kellogg's manufacture various forms of gummy snacks, often targeted at young children. The name "gummi" originated in Germany, [1] with the term "jelly sweets" more common in the United Kingdom.

Contents

History

Gummies have a long history as a popular confectionery. The first gelatin based shaped candy was the Unclaimed Babies, sold by Fryers of Lancashire in 1864. [2]

In the 1920s, Hans Riegel of Germany started his own candy company and eventually popularized the fruit flavored gummy candy with gelatin as the main ingredient. [3] By the start of World War Two, the company started by Riegel employed over 400 people and produced multiple tons of candy each day. [4] The company was named Haribo, and it became a main producer of gummy bears.

Ingredients

Gummy candies are made mostly of corn syrup, sucrose, gelatin, starch and water. In addition, minor amounts of coloring and flavoring agents are used. Food acids such as citric acid and malic acid are also added in order to give a tart flavor to gummies. It is often that other gelling agents are used in place of gelatin to make gummy candies suitable for vegans or vegetarians, such as starch and pectin. [5]

Types of gummies

Babies

Jelly Babies Group of Jelly Babies.jpg
Jelly Babies

The Jelly Babies gum candy was the first commercially available shaped gum candy. It originated in the United Kingdom. They were first produced by Fryers of Lancashire in 1864 and sold as "Unclaimed Babies". By 1918 they were (and still are) produced by Bassett's in Sheffield as Jelly Babies.

Bears

Haribo gummy bears were first made in Germany. Gummy bears.jpg
Haribo gummy bears were first made in Germany.

The gummy bear originated in Germany, where it is popular under the name Gummibär (rubber bear) or Gummibärchen (little rubber bear). Hans Riegel Sr., a maker from Bonn, produced these sweets under the Haribo company name, which he started in 1920.

Bottles

Various gummy food items: a cola bottle gummy, a gummy hot dog, a pizza, a hamburger, and a box of fries Gummy Zone - Lunch Bag.jpg
Various gummy food items: a cola bottle gummy, a gummy hot dog, a pizza, a hamburger, and a box of fries
Vegan rainbow sour belts with taste of strawberry made by Candy Plus, Czech Republic Sour rainbow belts.jpg
Vegan rainbow sour belts with taste of strawberry made by Candy Plus, Czech Republic

Cola bottles are sweets in the shape of classic Coca-Cola-style bottles with a cola flavor. They are produced by numerous companies. "Fizzy Blue Bottles", made by Lutti (formerly part of the French division of the Leaf Company, now controlled by a private investment group), are sweets typically found in a pick and mix selection. These are very similar to cola bottle gummies in shape, but they are usually sour and coloured blue and pink. "Blue Bottles", a variation from another company, are identifiable by the small rims around the sides, and are chewier and thicker, with a sweeter taste. There are also Lime cola bottles which typically retain the brownish-red colour and replace the clear top with a green colour. and mint flavoured bottles which replace the cola flavor for a mint flavor and are typically green instead of brown-red.

Rings

Ring-shaped gummy is often covered in sugar or sour powder. The most common and popular flavor is the peach ring. Other flavors include green apple, melon, blue raspberry, strawberry, and aniseed — although these are typically coated in chocolate. A commonly known producer of gummy rings is Trolli, for which the gummy rings are an important asset. [6]

Red frogs

In Australia, jelly confectionery in the shape of frogs has been very popular since the 1930s[ citation needed ]. They are colored red or green, although they are usually referred to as "red frogs". These have influenced the shape, structure, consistency and formula that makes gummy bears. Red frog gummies are not associated with the Red Frogs Association.

Roadkill gummies

In 2004, Trolli's U.S. arm introduced a roadkill themed gummy candy in the shape of flattened animals. In February 2005, following complaints by the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kraft decided to stop production of the controversial Trolli U.S. Road Kill Gummies. The society complained that the products, shaped as partly flattened squirrels, chickens and snakes, would give children an incorrect message on the proper treatment of animals. [7]

Teeth gummies

In Australia, jelly confectionery in the shape of teeth has been very popular since the 1930s.[ citation needed ] They are colored pink and white, with pink representing the gums and teeth being white. They have a slight minty flavor, similar to mint toothpaste.

Worm gummies

Worm-shaped gummy candy can be attributed to the German confectionery manufacturer Haribo in 1981. [8] They are a popular choice among Halloween trick-or-treaters, and sold with different flavors and coatings.

Shark gummies

Pastille pstyl.jpg
Pastille

There are also many types of gummy sharks, but the blue and white ones are the most popular.[ citation needed ]

Vitamin gummies

There are also several multi-vitamin gummy bears, usually marketed for children, such as Flintstones Chewable Vitamins. [9] These form of vitamins give off nutrients and protein for those that do not swallow pills or need various supplements to stay healthy.

Health considerations

Times Scientists have studied adding the tooth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol to gummies to fight tooth decay. [10]

Choking risks are higher with gummy candies; research shows that "hard, round foods with high elasticity or lubricity properties, or both, pose a significant level of risk," especially to children under three years of age. [11] This can be resolved with the Heimlich maneuver.

Storage

Storage of gummy candies in conditions of high humidity will result in the moisture migration of water molecules from the surrounding environment into the candy. If gummy candies are exposed to an environment that is high in moisture content, it is likely that moisture will permeate the candy and increase its relative moisture content. An increase of the candies moisture content will increase the molecular mobility of particles in the candy, leading to a variety of unwanted outcomes such as:

Moisture migration of gummy candies can be prevented by storing candies in conditions where the surrounding environment is equal to their own moisture content. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gelatin dessert</span> Dessert made with gelatin

Gelatin desserts are desserts made with a sweetened and flavoured processed collagen product (gelatin). This kind of dessert was first recorded as jelly by Hannah Glasse in her 18th-century book The Art of Cookery, appearing in a layer of trifle. Jelly is also featured in the best selling cookbooks of English food writers Eliza Acton and Isabella Beeton in the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Confectionery</span> Prepared foods rich in sugar and carbohydrates

Confectionery is the art of making confections, which are food items that are rich in sugar and carbohydrates. Exact definitions are difficult. In general, however, confectionery is divided into two broad and somewhat overlapping categories: bakers' confections and sugar confections. The occupation of confectioner encompasses the categories of cooking performed by both the French patissier and the confiseur.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candy</span> Sweet confection

Candy, alternatively called sweets or lollies, is a confection that features sugar as a principal ingredient. The category, also called sugar confectionery, encompasses any sweet confection, including chocolate, chewing gum, and sugar candy. Vegetables, fruit, or nuts which have been glazed and coated with sugar are said to be candied.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jelly bean</span> Small bean-shaped candy with many different flavors

Jelly beans are small bean-shaped sugar candies with soft candy shells and thick gel interiors. The confection is primarily made of sugar and sold in a wide variety of colors and flavors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jelly Babies</span> Type of British sugar crusted sweet

Jelly Babies are a type of soft sugar jelly sweets in the shape of plump babies, sold in a variety of colours. They were first manufactured in Lancashire, England, in the nineteenth century. Their popularity waned before being revived by Bassett's of Sheffield in Yorkshire, who began mass-producing Jelly Babies in 1918.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Haribo</span> German confectionery company

Haribo GmbH & Co. KG, doing business as Haribo, is a German confectionery company founded by Hans Riegel Sr. It began in Kessenich, Bonn, Germany. The name "Haribo" is a syllabic abbreviation formed from Hans Riegel Bonn. The company created the first gummy candy in 1922 in the form of little gummy bears called Gummibärchen. The current headquarters are in Grafschaft, Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gummy bear</span> Fruit gum candy

Gummy bears are small, fruit gum candies, similar to a jelly baby in some English-speaking countries. The candy is roughly 2 cm (0.8 in) long and shaped in the form of a bear. The gummy bear is one of many gummies, popular gelatin-based candies sold in a variety of shapes and colors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wine gum</span> Gelatin-based chewy candy

Wine gums are chewy, firm pastille-type sweets originating from the United Kingdom. All brands have their own recipes containing various sweeteners, flavourings and colourings. Wine gums are popular in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, South Africa and many Commonwealth nations, as well as several European countries. Common brands include Maynards, Bassett's, Haribo and Lion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gumdrop</span> Type of candy

Gumdrops are a type of gummy candy. They are brightly colored pectin-based pieces, shaped like a narrow dome, often coated in granulated sugar and having fruit and spice flavors; the latter are also known as spice drops.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sugar candy</span> Candy primarily composed of sugar

Sugar candy is any candy whose primary ingredient is sugar. The main types of sugar candies are hard candies, fondants, caramels, jellies, and nougats. In British English, this broad category of sugar candies is called sweets, and the name candy or sugar-candy is used only for hard candies that are nearly solid sugar.

The Ferrara Candy Company is an American candy manufacturer, based in Chicago, Illinois, and owned by the Ferrero Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Farley's & Sathers Candy Company</span> Umbrella candy company

Farley's & Sathers Candy Company was created as an umbrella company to roll up many small companies, brands and products under a common management team. The confectionery business segment is made up of many small companies, often with intertwined relationships and histories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trolli</span> German candy brand

Trolli is a German manufacturer of confectionery. Its American arm was sold in 1996 and became a confectionery brand used by Ferrara Candy Company. Trolli sells gummy candies, marshmallows, and soft licorice gums in over 80 countries and has factories in Germany, Spain, Indonesia, the United States, China and the Czech Republic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gummy worms</span> Gummy candy shaped like worms

Gummy worms are a type of worm-shaped gummy candy. They are made from a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, gelatin, and flavorings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yupi (confectioner)</span> Indonesian candy products manufacturer

PT Yupi Indo Jelly Gum, better known as Yupi, is an Indonesian gummy jelly manufacturer. Yupi service many markets and private label customers around the world. Starting up with a joint venture with Trolli, one of the leading gummy manufacturers in Europe, Yupi has been the market leader in gummy confectionery product in Indonesia since 1996 and the largest player in South East Asia, according to its website.

Gummy is a kind of gelatin candy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mederer GmbH</span> German candy manufacturer

Mederer GmbH is the fourth largest manufacturer of gummi candy in Germany behind Haribo, Storck and Katjes. Mederer´s most popular brand is Trolli, a brand launched in 1975. Mederer GmbH also owns several other brands, notably Efrutti, Sugarland and Gummi Bear Factory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Albanese Candy</span> American candy manufacturer

Albanese Candy is a candy manufacturer in Hobart, Indiana. Founded in 1983 by Scott Albanese, it specializes in the production of gummies and chocolate-covered goods. As of 2022, the company employs roughly 700 workers and ships to 41 countries. It is said to be the home of "the world's best gummies."

References

  1. Magazine, Bon Appetit. "A Brief History of Gummy Bears - Bon Appétit". Bon Appétit. Retrieved 2016-10-13.
  2. "Sweet success: Unravelling the Jelly Baby's dark past - BBC News". Archived from the original on 2019-08-27. Retrieved 2019-02-20.
  3. Burt, Jacqueline. "A Brief History of Gummy Bears". Bon Appetit. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  4. Burt, Jacqueline. "A Brief History of Gummy Bears". Bon Appetit. Retrieved 2022-01-12.
  5. Burey, P.; Bhandari, B. R.; Rutgers, R. P. G.; Halley, P. J.; Torley, P. J. (2009-01-01). "Confectionery Gels: A Review on Formulation, Rheological and Structural Aspects". International Journal of Food Properties. 12 (1): 176–210. doi: 10.1080/10942910802223404 . ISSN   1094-2912.
  6. "Trolli - trolliapfelringe225g". Trolli.de. Archived from the original on 2011-08-31. Retrieved 2011-12-15.
  7. "Trolli Road Kill dies under pressure from animal activists". Business. 1 March 2005. Archived from the original on 26 October 2012. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  8. "Today is: Gummi Worm Day". Yahoo Finance. 2022-07-15. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
  9. "Flintstones Vitamins | Multivitamins & Supplements for Kids". www.flintstonesvitamins.com. Retrieved 2016-09-27.
  10. "Gummy Bears Can Fight Cavities". OneIndia.in. ANI. 2008. Archived from the original on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  11. Altkorn, Robert; Chen, Xiao; Milkovich, Scott; Stool, Daniel; Rider, Gene; Bailey, C. Martin; Haas, Angela; Riding, Keith H.; Pransky, Seth M.; Reilly, James S. (1 July 2008). "Fatal and non-fatal food injuries among children (aged 0–14 years)". International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology. 72 (7): 1041–1046. doi:10.1016/j.ijporl.2008.03.010. PMID   18455807 . Retrieved 30 September 2021 via ScienceDirect.
  12. Ergun, R.; Lietha, R.; Hartel, R. W. (2010-01-29). "Moisture and Shelf Life in Sugar Confections". Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 50 (2): 162–192. doi:10.1080/10408390802248833. ISSN   1040-8398. PMID   20112158. S2CID   19980997.