Why We Crave Crunchy Snacks

We all crave crunchy snacks like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and chips every now and then. They’re tasty and they’re handy to have in the kitchen when we feel like a bite. Have you ever wondered why you crave something crunchy though? You know those times where a soft sandwich will never do and all you want to enjoy is that satisfying crispiness in your mouth? In this blog, we take a look at a little bit of the science behind why we love crunchy and loud foods.

A sensory experience

People just love the sensory experience of eating noisy, crunchy snacks. As we’re demolishing them, the sound brings us feelings of satisfaction. When we hear it, we just want to eat more. However, if you’re on the receiving end of listening to someone else loudly crunching, it can be pretty annoying. So, crunching is a very personal thing!

Fresher food is good food

Interestingly, babies aren’t born enjoying noisy food. There are no benefits to the sounds a food makes as we’re eating them in terms of nutrition. Having said that, it’s true that noisy foods tend to make us feel that they are fresh. Think about it, whenever you’ve eaten a soggy or even slightly less crunchy chip, its likely that you’ve not enjoyed it or thrown the bag away. Even thinking about fresh produce, such as celery or apples, the better the crunch, the fresher it is and the more nutrients and vitamins it contains.

Noisier foods tend to be fattier

Another school of thought when it comes to crunchy American snacks, Japanese snacks and more is that our brains enjoy the fat in food and that noisy foods tend to be fattier. We always enjoy a little something that we know might not be great for us in huge amounts, especially when it’s flavour-laden!

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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!

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10 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Feel Guilty For 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!

Just Why Do We Love Sweet Things So Much?

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.