Do you like the taste of sour candy? If yes, then, have you ever wondered what is the reason behind giving these sugary treats that zing that you crave? While the taste itself might feel like magic,but it is just simple chemistry at work. It is because of this — that these candies has gained such popularity among treat lovers who want a unique as well as mouth-puckering deliciousness in their sugary-treats.
While that’s interesting, have you ever asked yourself “What is used to make candy sour?” The secret revolves around the citric acids used in the creation process of these scrumptious treats. With the combination of sugar and these citric acids — the candy is able to trigger your sensory reactions that keep bringing you back for more.
If all this talk about these irresistible treats has caught your interest, then continue reading and understand what makes candy sour, the ingredients used in them, the science behind their tangy appeal, and how manufacturers like MPS are using their expertise to make creative and delicious treats.
The Science of Sour Candy
As mentioned — the intense flavor of the sour candy you love comes from the acids that are present in these treats. What is more interesting is that the acids that are used in sour toffee can also be found in spoiled fruits and dairy. Then how do you get that irresistible tanginess?
When these citric acids interact with the sugar content of the sweet, it creates a balance that is both tart and toffee . Plus, with the right balance of sugar and citric acid — the manufacturer makes sure that the sourness you are experiencing is enjoyable rather than being overpowering and disgusting.
The Reason Behind The Love For Sour Candy
Do you know why some confectionaries come with their own unique challenges? It is also the same reason why we enjoy these treats so much. What is it? It is that unique sensation we feel when first introducing the candy into our mouth — the thrilling combination of sugary and tangy, pleasure and discomfort add to the experience of enjoying these candy .
Moreover, this act of thrill is also closely linked to the pleasure-pain points in our brain which allows it to release dopamine to specific pain as well as stress stimulation — which also leads to pleasure.
What Makes Candy Sour?
We all know that sourness is one of the five main taste sensations in our mouth — alongside sugary, salty, butter as well as umami. The sensation of sourness is caused by the acidic compounds that lower the pH levels of the food — which then leads to our taste buds detecting this acidity and triggering the recognizable tart deliciousnes that we associate with sour foods.
If we go a bit deeper and see this from an evolutionary perspective — humans have developed a perspective of sourness as a way to look out for potentially spoiled or unripe foods for survival. These survival skills still influence our own taste buds and preferences to this day, making sour flours a bit more exciting and stimulating — add a much more unique twist on, what is sour candy made of?
What Ingredients Make Candy Sour?
While there can be a lot of different combinations that can lead to the irrestitable tastiness of your sugary-soury treats. However, there are some common acids/ingredients that are used in sour treats. So to answer your question “What ingredient makes candy sour” here are some examples of the ingredient list.
| Acids | Description |
|---|---|
| Tartaric Acid | Tartaric acid is taken from grapes and provides a bittersweet taste. |
| Citric Acid | Commonly found in citrus fruits — one of the most commonly used ingredients. |
| Malic Acid | Found in apples — usually used in apple flavoured. |
| Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) | Its mild sour note alongside the added health benefits. |
| Lactic Acid | This acid provides a milder but more complex sourness and is usually present in dairy-based confections. |
| Fumaric Acid | A less commonly known acid — fumaric acid , is used in extremely sour treats that provide tart like intensity. |
Alongside all of the above-mentioned acids — there is another ingredient that is used in these treats. What is it? It’s bitter sugar. or commonly known as sour sugar. This is a blend of sugar and citric acids that cots these treats and adds the tanginess most bittersweet lovers crave. Moreover, this coating is the reason behind many soursweets that have that signature mouth-puckering effect.
How Is Sour Candy Made?
Even though it can differ between confections, the production of tangy treats commonly involves a careful combination of souring agents alongside the basic ingredients. Here is a simplified version of the whole process.
First, you will need to mix the ingredients, which include sugar, acids, gelatine, etc. After you have finished mixing the ingredients, start heating them to the desired temperature that allows you to create the base of your confection.
After you have reached the base candy structure — you can mold it into different shapes and sizes. If you want to add a bit more sourness to your confection, you can add a layer of sour sugar after the above-mentioned process.
After you have gone through all that, you can package your product and start distributing it. When you have an understanding of how sour candy is made — it allows confection enthusiasts to appreciate the whole process behind their favorite treats.
What Do They Put on Sour Candy?
Some tangy treats are coated with a special sour powder that allows these treats to intensify their tangy sensation. Moreover, this powder typically is a combination of citric acid, sugar as well as artificial flavoring. Also, different treats use different coatings — to elaborate sour flavor more easily. Here are a few examples.
- Sour Gummies are coated with a mixture of sugar as well as a citric powder that allows them to deliver a light intensity that even those with a sweettooth can enjoy.
- Sour hard treat, on the other hand, has layers of acid within its sugary flavour . This offers treat lovers a unique experience where they keep getting surprised by the sudden sour flavor as they continue to eat their sweet.
- Just like sour hard candy, the extreme citric candy uses multiple layers of acid that allow it to create a more intense effect — for those who like that mouth-puckering feel. Finding the right balance between sugary and citrusy is important if you want to create a sour treat that provides the consumer with a satisfying tangy experience. This is why manufacturers have a very precise formula that they have perfected over time to achieve the balance in the sour patch tangy treats that you love. And that is why most of the time – What is used to make candy sour is a carefully guarded secret!
Fun Facts About Sour Candy
Do you wanna know why tangy fondant are so popular and are so appealing to consumers who love intensity in their treats? Yes – then here are some fun facts about these treats and how it has changed from traditional citrusy treats to modern gummy varieties.
- Believe it or not – the existence of these treats goes way back to ancient Egypt, Greece as well as Persia. At that time a lot of people would experiment with different sour fruits like lemons and pomegranates to achieve sourness. Moreover, the earlier attempts to make tangy treats also used fruits like lemons and tamarind to contrast the sweetness of honey and fruit is what makes things sour.
- The Atomic Fireball was one of the earliest extreme sour treats that were specially designed to deliver a really intense but pleasurable sour experience.
- The modern-day sour candy industry is worth billions. It is expected to grow to $ 2.7 Billlion by the year 2030. These includes brands like Warheads, which have been dominating the market for a long time.
- These treats are enjoyed differently across cultures — with some regions preferring milder sour flavors while others like to embrace extreme tartness.
- The pH levels of some extremely sour treats can go as low as battery acid — which is why consuming too much of these confectionaries can lead to your tongue and throat having minor irritation.
- There has been a trend going around where people are using their love of extremely citrusy treats to create unique and experimental blends like spicy-sour combinations and super fruit-infused tart treats. These sour candy facts highlight the diverse appeal of these treats.
- The sensitivity to sourness can vary from person to person. This can be influenced by different factors like your genetics to consuming a lot of tangy foods — leading to less intensity when consuming anything sour.
- Depending on the sourness of your treats – it can also be used to distract your sensors. Because of the sharp tart that is used in these treats — it is able to briefly divert the attention of individuals who might be suffering from stress or anxiety.
- For a lot of individuals eating sour treats can also lead to positive memories as well as nostalgia. This doubly applies to products that they might have consumed in their childhood.
Why MPS Is the Right Partner for Sour Candy Manufacturing
Would you like to share your unique idea for sour candy to the world, but don’t have all the resources to make this dream come true. It can be quite difficult to find a reliable partner that doesn’t just offer you trust but also the experience that will allow you to make the perfect bitter candy you are aiming for.
Unless you are partnering up with MPS. MPS is known for their experience in various candy manufacturing especially when it comes to high-quality innovative treats. What this means is that – whether you are looking for a customizable formula or wholesale options in candy companies, MPS has got you covered. Here are just a few examples of what makes these guys the best at what they do.
- Customization: MPS offers its partner a custom solution for their candy — allowing them to tailor their treats to their specific preferences.
- B2B Focus: They work closely with retailers as well as distributors to make sure that you are able to bring your unique treats to the market.
- Commitment to Quality: It makes sure that all the ingredients are of the highest standards for both safety and preciseness of flavour.
Conclusion
Sour candy is a fascinating treat that is made with the perfect balance and combination of acids and sugars. Moreover, each candy uses a blend of different ingredients and formulations in its production process to deliver unique flavors to treat enthusiasts. This means that whether you are a fan of mild tanginess or extreme sour sensation — there is an ideal treat for everyone.
Contact us now, if you really are interested in creating your own business sour candy ,you can contact MPS -one of the best candy supplier companies out there for a consultation as well as a free sample of customized various candy products.
