Unveiling the Delectable World of Gourmet Gummies

Soft candy is a soft, elastic candy usually made of sugar, water, gelatin or other gelling agents, food coloring and flavoring. Soft candy can come in a variety of shapes, colors and flavors, including fruity soft candy, coffee soft candy, chocolate soft candy, milk soft candy, etc.

The process of making soft candy usually includes the following steps: First, sugar and water are heated and stirred to completely dissolve the sugar. Then, a gelling agent (usually gelatin) is added to the sugar-water solution to increase the elasticity and taste of the soft candy. Next, food coloring and flavoring are added to give the soft candy color and flavor. Finally, the mixture is poured into a mold and allowed to cool and solidify to form the shape of the soft candy.

Gummy candies are very popular around the world, both as snacks and as gifts. They are tasty, easy to chew, and suitable for people of all ages. In addition, gummy candies are often used to make candy platters, cake decorations, and other desserts.

The origin of soft candy:

The origin of soft candy can be traced back to ancient times. People in ancient Greece and Rome had already begun to make soft candies. However, the candy making technology at that time was different from modern soft candy.

In its modern form, fondant first appeared in the 19th century, with its development closely tied to advances in the sugar industry and improvements in candy-making techniques.

18世纪末和19世纪初，炼糖技术有了显著的改进，这使得糖的产量大幅增加。这为糖果制造业提供了更多的原料，也为软糖的制作提供了基础。

Introduction of Gelling Agents The use of gelling agents such as gelatin became popular in candy making in the mid-19th century. Gelling agents give candy a soft texture, enable it to hold its shape and increase its mouthfeel.

High pectin soft candy, in the early 20th century, pectin was introduced into the production of soft candy. Pectin is a natural gelling agent that can be extracted from fruits. Its use in soft candy gives the candy a better texture and chewiness.

The popularity of jelly candy was further boosted by the emergence of several well-known brands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, such as Haribo in the United States (1920) and Bassett’s Jelly Babies in the United Kingdom (1864).

Today, soft candy has become one of the important categories in the candy market, with countless flavors, shapes and brands to choose from. Whether it is jelly candy, gummy candy or chewing gum, the production technology and formula of soft candy are constantly evolving and improving to meet people’s changing needs and preferences for candy. With the advancement of science and technology, modern technology has been applied in the manufacture of soft candy. The use of automated equipment and control systems has improved production efficiency and consistency, making large-scale production more feasible.

Types and flavors of gummies:

Soft candy manufacturers continue to innovate and develop new recipes and flavors. They use different juices, flavors and pigments to create a variety of flavors to meet the preferences of different consumers.

As people pay more attention to health and natural foods, gummy candy manufacturers have also begun to launch healthier and more natural gummy candy products. They use natural colors, no added sugar or low sugar formulas to meet consumer demand.

In general, the development of soft candy production technology and formula is full of innovation and improvement. From the earliest gelling agents to modern automated production, soft candy manufacturers have been working hard to provide soft candy products with better quality and taste to meet consumer needs and taste preferences.

There are many types of gummy candies on the market. Here are some of the main types of gummy candies:

Fruit gummies: This is one of the most common types of gummies, with various fruit flavors such as strawberry, orange, apple, grape, etc. They usually have a distinct fruity aroma and sweet taste.

Sour gummies: This type of gummies has a certain degree of sourness, giving it a sweet and sour taste. Common sour gummies flavors include lemon, green apple, tangerine, grapefruit, etc.

Classic gummies: These are gummies with traditional and classic flavors, such as classic mixed fruit flavors, lemon mint flavors, strawberry milk flavors, etc. They are usually popular flavor choices.

Children’s soft candies: These soft candies are usually targeted at children and have sweeter and more diverse flavors. They may have fruit flavors, chocolate flavors, marshmallow flavors, etc., and often have cute appearance and packaging designs.

Multiple mixed flavors of gummy candy: This type of gummy candy combines multiple different flavors of gummy candy together to form a unique mixed flavor, such as mixed fruit flavors, a combination of jelly and milk flavors, etc.

Herbal gummies: Some gummies brands offer herbal flavors such as mint, honey, and lemongrass. These gummies can provide a refreshing and soothing taste.

Luxury fudge: These are products launched by some high-end and luxurious fudge brands, usually using high-quality ingredients and exquisite production processes. They may have more special and unique flavors, such as coffee, red wine, truffle chocolate, etc.

These are some of the main types of gummies on the market, however, as market demand and innovation continue to develop, more new and special flavors of gummies will appear.

Gummy candies come in a variety of flavors. Here are some common flavors of gummy candies:

Fruit-flavored soft candy: including soft candy with fruit flavors such as strawberry, orange, apple, grape, cherry, etc. These soft candies usually have a distinct fruity aroma and sweetness.

Sour gummies: These gummies have a sour taste that creates a sweet and sour taste. Common sour gummies include lemon, green apple, orange, grapefruit, etc.

Herbal gummies: Some gummies brands offer herbal flavors such as mint, honey, and lemongrass. These gummies can provide a refreshing and soothing taste.

Chocolate-flavored gummies: Some gummies are flavored with chocolate, reminiscent of the richness and sweetness of chocolate. These gummies may be chocolate-coated or have a chocolate aroma and taste.

Milk-flavored soft candy: This type of soft candy usually has a strong milky flavor, giving it a smooth and rich taste. Common milk-flavored soft candy flavors include milk, chocolate milk, strawberry milk, etc.

Multiple mixed flavors: Some soft candies combine multiple flavors to form unique mixed flavors, such as strawberry and milk flavored soft candies, citrus and grape flavored soft candies, etc.

In addition, there are many innovative and special flavors of soft candies to meet the taste preferences of different groups of people, such as coffee flavor, caramel flavor, vanilla flavor, mint chocolate flavor, etc. The flavor selection of soft candies can be selected according to personal taste preferences, seasons and occasions.

Ingredients of gummies:

Sugar: The main component of soft candy is sugar, and common sugars include glucose, sucrose, fructose, etc. These sugars provide the sweetness of soft candy and provide energy.

Gelatin or gelatin-like substances: Soft candies usually contain gelatin or gelatin-like substances, which are responsible for increasing the taste and extensibility of soft candies. Gelatin is a colloid substance extracted from animal bones or skins, which makes soft candies elastic and chewy.

Acidifiers: Some gummies have acids added, such as citric or malic acid, to provide a sweet and sour taste.

Flavors and food coloring: In order to increase the fragrance and color of soft candies, flavors and food coloring are often added. These flavors can simulate a variety of flavors, such as fruit, chocolate, mint, etc. Food coloring is used to give soft candies a variety of bright colors.

Other additives: Gummies may also contain other additives such as preservatives, acidulants, emulsifiers, stabilizers, etc. to improve the texture of the gummies, maintain freshness and extend shelf life.

It should be noted that the main component of gummy candies is sugar, including glucose and sucrose. High sugar intake may have negative health effects, such as causing tooth decay, weight gain, and increasing the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, gummy candies should be enjoyed in moderation, with attention paid to controlling sugar intake, and combined with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle.

The process of making soft candy :

Raw material preparation: Prepare the raw materials for soft candy, including sugar, water, gelatin or gelatin-like substances, acidulants, flavors, food coloring, etc.

Mix and dissolve: Mix the sugar and water together and heat and stir to dissolve the sugar. During this process, other ingredients such as acidulants, flavors and food coloring can be added to achieve the desired taste and color.

Gelatin treatment: Add gelatin or gelatin-like substances to the dissolved sugar water and stir evenly. Gelatin can provide the elasticity and chewiness required for soft candies.

Boiling: Heating a mixture to a certain temperature, usually boiling it in a syrupy state. The purpose of boiling is to evaporate the water and make the syrup thicker.

Pressing and molding: The boiled fudge syrup is poured into molds or squeezed into the desired shape through an extruder. Molds can be of various shapes and sizes to produce different styles of fudge.

Cooling and Solidification: Cool the fondant at room temperature or through a cooling device to allow the fondant to solidify and become firm.

Packaging: The solidified soft candy is removed from the mold and packaged. The packaging can be bags, boxes or individual packages to keep the soft candy fresh and facilitate sales.

Inspection and Quality Control: Inspection and quality control of gummies are carried out to ensure compliance with standard requirements and food safety standards.

It is important to note that different brands and types of gummy candies may have some special production steps and process details to achieve a specific taste and texture. Therefore, there may be some differences in the production process.

Soft candy packaging design:

The packaging and design of gummy candies are important aspects that manufacturers work on to attract consumer attention and increase the appeal of their products. Here are some common elements of gummy candy packaging and design:

Packaging: Gummies are usually packaged in pouches, boxes, jars or plastic containers. These packaging forms are designed to protect the gummies from contamination and physical damage and provide convenient use and storage.

Design: The design of the candy packaging can be varied to attract attention and match the brand image. Bright, vivid colors and attractive patterns, images or artistic designs are often used on the packaging.

Brand identity: Gummy candy packaging often prominently displays the brand name, logo, or trademark. This helps consumers recognize and remember specific brands and plays an important role in purchasing decisions.

Product information: Soft candy packaging usually provides product-related information, such as ingredient list, nutritional information, weight, shelf life, etc. This information helps consumers understand the characteristics and quality of the product.

Distinctive slogan: Some soft candy packages may have eye-catching slogans or slogans to convey the product’s features, flavors or brand concepts to attract consumers’ interest.

Patterns and shapes: Some gummies use special patterns or shapes, such as animal shapes, fruit shapes, heart shapes, etc., to increase the fun and playability of the product.

Gift boxes and special decorations: Gummy candies are often designed as gifts or special treats for the holiday season. In this case, the packaging may use exquisite gift boxes, rich decorations and personalized labels to create a festive atmosphere and increase the value of the gift.

In general, the packaging and design of soft candies are designed to attract consumers’ attention, convey product characteristics, and be consistent with the brand image. Diversified packaging and attractive design can help improve the market competitiveness of products and leave a good impression on consumers.