The Invention of Gummy Candy
Gummy candy is chewy, sweet, and comes in all shapes and flavors. But where did it all begin? It started with a man named Hans Riegel. He was a German candy maker who created the first gummy candy in 1922.
Hans Riegel lived in Bonn, Germany. He started a candy company called Haribo, which is still around today. The name Haribo comes from “Hans Riegel Bonn.” His first gummy candy was shaped like a bear. It was soft, bouncy, and fruity. Kids loved it, and gummy candy began to grow in popularity.
How Gummy Candy Was Made Back Then
In the beginning, gummy candy was made by hand. Candy makers would heat the ingredients in large pots. Then, they would pour the hot liquid into simple molds. The candies would cool overnight and be ready the next day.
Early gummy candy used gum arabic, a sticky ingredient from tree sap. Later, people began using gelatin instead. Gelatin gave the candy a better texture—softer and more elastic.
Only a few flavors were available at first. Most gummy candies were fruit-flavored and came in plain colors. The process was slow and took a lot of hard work.
What Gummy Candy Is Made Of
Today, gummy candy is made with a few simple ingredients. These include:
– Gelatin
– Sugar
– Corn syrup
– Flavoring
– Coloring
Gelatin is the key ingredient. It gives gummy candy its chewy and rubbery feel. Sugar and corn syrup make the candy sweet. Flavoring gives it a fruity taste, and coloring makes it look bright and fun.
Some newer gummy candies use fruit juice or natural ingredients. Vegan gummy candies are made with pectin or agar-agar instead of gelatin.
Different Shapes and Flavors
Gummy candy now comes in many shapes. Bears, worms, rings, sharks, and even tiny soda bottles are just a few. Each shape adds to the fun.
The flavors have also grown. Early gummy candies had just a few tastes, like lemon or orange. Now you can find watermelon, blue raspberry, peach, grape, cherry, and more. Some gummy candies are sour, while others are filled with juice.
How Gummy Candy Is Made Today
Modern gummy candy is made in large candy factories. These factories use machines to mix, cook, and shape the candy. First, the ingredients are heated together in a big kettle until they form a thick syrup. This syrup is very hot.
Next, the syrup is poured into molds. These molds are shaped like the final candy—bears, worms, or other fun designs. The molds are cooled down so the candy can harden. Then the gummies are left to dry in a special room. This helps them become chewy instead of sticky.
How Machines Package Gummy Candy
Once gummy candy is dry and firm, it moves down a line to the packaging area. Modern machines handle this step. These machines do several things:
– Weigh the right amount of gummy candy
– Pour the candy into bags or containers
– Seal the packaging tightly
– Add labels and branding
The machines work fast and carefully. They make sure every bag has the same amount of candy. They also help keep the candy fresh by sealing out air and moisture.
Here is a simple table showing how machines help in modern gummy candy packaging:
| Machine Function | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Weighing Machine | Measures exact candy amounts |
| Bagging Machine | Drops candy into packages |
| Sealing Machine | Closes the bags to keep candy fresh |
| Labeling Machine | Attaches product names and nutrition info |
Thanks to these machines, factories can make thousands of gummy candy bags in a single hour.
How Gummy Candy Became Popular
After gummy bears became popular in Germany, other shapes and types followed. In the 1980s, gummy candy reached the United States. Kids fell in love with gummy worms, gummy rings, and sour gummies.
Candy companies saw how much people loved them. So, they began making even more gummy types. Today, gummy candy is sold in almost every store. You’ll find it in lunch boxes, birthday party bags, and movie theaters.
Other Gummy Candy Inventions
Since the first gummy bear, many new ideas have come out. Some gummy candies have liquid inside. Others glow under black light or change color in your mouth. There are also gummy vitamins, which taste like candy but help you stay healthy.
People even use gummy candy in baking and crafts. One popular dessert is dirt pudding, which uses chocolate pudding, crushed cookies, and gummy worms.
Fun Facts About Gummy Candy
– Haribo is still one of the biggest gummy candy makers in the world.
– The first gummy candies were twice as big as today’s gummy bears.
– There is a National Gummy Worm Day every July 15.
– Some gummy candies are shaped like pizza, burgers, or sushi for fun.
Conclusion: A Sticky Idea That Stuck Around
Gummy candy started with one man’s idea in Germany. Hans Riegel wanted to make something sweet and fun, and he did. His invention has lasted for over 100 years.
Now, gummy candy is made with high-tech machines and shipped around the world. It’s soft, colorful, and full of flavor. Whether you love gummy bears, worms, or rings, you can thank the clever candy maker who started it all.