Tuesday, July 30, 2019

Just Why Do We Love Popping Candy So Much And How Does It Work?


There’s nothing more exciting to eat than popping candy. When you put it in your mouth, you’ve no idea whether you’ll experience a little fizz and tingle or more of an explosion! Popping candy is great to use in all sorts of recipes or you can just eat it the old-fashioned way. Whether you like sour lollies, Australian lollies, American candy or anything else, popping candy is one sweet treat that’s always good to have in the kitchen cupboard.

Popping candy causes explosions on your tongue. And, it’s unique pop, fizz and crackle are down to how it’s made. So, let’s find out more.

How is popping candy made?

Believe it or not but popping candy is made is a very similar way to normal boiled lollies. Flavouring, sugar, water and corn syrup are mixed and heated until the water boils away. If this mixture was then put to one side and allowed to cool, you’d have regular hard sweets. However, popping candy is made by exposing the mixture to 40 times normal atmospheric pressure high-pressure carbon dioxide gas. Bubbles then form and as the mix cools down, the pressure is released causing it to shatter into lots of hard little rock-like pieces. Each little piece is filled with high-pressure pockets. So, when you eat the candy, or place it on your tongue, it melts and releases the little pressurised bubbles. And, this is why popping candy explodes in your mouth. Amazing! We wonder who first came up with the idea?

The history of popping candy

Way back in 1956, William A. Mitchell was working for General Foods of America. The chemist created popping candy, but it took until 1975 until consumers saw it on shop shelves. Interestingly, in those days there was a rumour circulating that if you mixed coke with popping candy, you would either choke or your stomach would blow up! Of course, this wasn’t true but General Foods were forced to send out open letters to schools and parents as well as setting up roadshows to dispel the myth!

Wednesday, July 10, 2019

10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty For Eating Chocolate

Eating Chocolate

We all love chocolate. Whether you are partial to eating sugar-free chocolate, Australian chocolate, chocolate bars or anything else, chocolate is that one food that makes everything right in the world again. And, you know what? There is actually some hard evidence to suggest that chocolate is so much more than a guilty pleasure – it can actually be good for us! So, let’s take a look at 10 reasons why you just shouldn’t feel guilty about eating chocolate!

 

1. Chocolate makes you happy


We’ve always known that chocolate makes us happy but why is that the case? Well, it contains tryptophan. Tryptophan is a brain chemical that’s used to produce serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that can be found in some antidepressants. When levels are high, it stimulates endorphin secretion that leads to feelings of elation. So, chocolate really does lead to feelings of happiness!

 

2. Chocolate makes us feel brighter


Chocolate contains caffeine that can increase alertness, pulse and also heart rate. It also has phenylethylamine that produces an alert type of feeling.

 

3. Chocolate melts just below body temperature


Don’t you love the way that chocolate melts in your mouth? That’s because it’s melting point is just below body temperature. So satisfying and smooth!

 

4. Chocolate is one addiction that won’t land you in jail!


The great thing about chocolate is that it’s great to eat and even if you indulge a little too often, you’re not breaking any laws!

 

5. Chocolate equates with love


Flowers and chocolates are surely the way to anyone’s heart. Traditionally given as a romantic gift, eating chocolate is a yummy warm hug to the senses!

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Just Why Do We Love Sweet Things So Much?

We Love Sweet

Sweet treats are something that the majority of us look forward to having. Of course, there are some individuals who just don’t really like sugary things however if you’re here reading this then we think you probably love lollies (or at least know someone who does!) Those of us who enjoy some sweetness tend to prefer this across all manner of different foods and beverages. It makes you wonder; just why do some people adore lollies so much?

Interestingly, the human sense of taste is unlike any other. There’s scientific data that seems to support that as many as half of all people have a sweet tooth. We are actually born with already established tastes with the enjoyment of sweet food being hereditary in part. Who knew?!

When you enjoy eating something sweet such as Starburst lollies, Jolly Rancher candy, hard candy etc, your brain releases dopamine that’s associated with reward. Additionally, sugar consumption gives us a pleasure rush that’s difficult to find anywhere else.

Our tongues can detect four basic types of flavour – sweet, sour, bitter and salty. It’s argued that us people are naturally drawn to sweet things because our ancestors were primates that ate tree fruits. When you think about it, this makes sense. Apes and monkeys spend their time searching through forests for ripe fruit. This ripe fruit is far better on an energy level due to it having a higher sugar content than bitter, unripe fruit. Also, ripe fruit contains more water so it’s hydrating too.

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

American Snacks Are Loved The World Over

American Snacks
Americans arguably are the snacking experts of the western world. Watch any U.S. show and you’ll see kitchens bursting with all the American brands that have become synonymous with the country. Although this blog is focusing on snacks from the U.S.A. is must be noted that us Aussies adore our snacks too. So, when we can get our hands and teeth onto something new and exciting, it’s a time for celebration!

American snacks, much like Australian lollies and snacks, are all those tasty and generally sweet or savoury foods that most of the time do not constitute a part of a meal. Snacks such as Jolly Rancher Candy and popping candy tend to be very popular in the U.S. Although a lot of these snacks are sweet, it must be said that lots are spicy too such as potato chips and salted peanuts. So, no matter whether your tastes are sweet or savoury, there is plenty for you to try here in our online store.

Let’s take a look at some enduringly popular U.S. snacks so we can find out more about them:

Cinnamon Toast Crunch

Although Cinnamon Toast Crunch is marketed as a kids’ cereal, adults adore it too. Since it was first produced back in 1984, it has been a real favourite of people the world over. Cinnamon Toast Crunch was created to mimic the taste of cinnamon toast. When you pour milk over a bowl of these amazing tasty squares, you can actually hear them ‘snap!’ Why not order some so you can try the cereal for yourself?

Oreos

Everyone knows and loves an Oreo! First produced in 1912, Oreos are the biggest selling cookie in the whole of the U.S.A. Over the years there have been various limited edition runs of the cookies.