Gummies
Encyclopedia
Gummi candy, gummy candy, gummies or jelly sweets are a broad, general type of gelatin
-based, chewy candy
.
Gummi bears are the most popular and well known of the gummi candies. Other common shapes include bottles, worms, frogs, hamburgers, cherries, sharks, army men, hippopotami, lobsters, watermelons, octopodes, apples, peaches, oranges, and even full-size rats, large human body parts (hearts, feet, faces), Ampelmännchen
and Smurfs
.
Gummi candy is sometimes combined with other forms of candy, such as marshmallow
and chocolate as well as made sour.
. The candy was invented by Hans Riegel Sr., the father of Hans Riegel
, in 1922.
In 2008, R.M. Palmer Co. signed an agreement with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
to become a licensee producing seasonal novelty gummies sold in bags, boxes or tins.
a brand of the German Mederer GmbH
(note that the American branch is owned by Kraft Foods
since 1996) on July 15, 1981, the 60th anniversary of gummi bears. The average gummi worms created by Trolli are about two inches long. Each gummi worm varies from four inches to ten inches and has two different colors and flavors that mix in the middle of the gummi worm. Some other brands of gummi worms have more than two colors, and are longer than the original Trolli Brite Crawlers, and may have a sour coating or other variations.
-style bottles with a cola flavor. They are produced by numerous companies. "Fizzy Blue Bottles", made by Lutti (formerly part of the French division of the Leaf Candy Company
, now controlled by a private investment group), are sweets typically found in a pick and mix selection. They are very similar to cola bottle gummies in shape, but blue and pink coloured and usually sour. "Blue Bottles", a variation from another company, have small rims around the sides, and are chewier and thicker, with a sweeter taste.
, Kraft decided to stop production of the controversial Trolli U.S. Road Kill Gummies. The society complained that the products, shaped as partly flattened squirrels, chickens and snakes, would give children an incorrect message on the proper treatment of animals.
, chocolate coated nuts and fruit, bubble gum, lollipops, toffee
, jelly beans, marshmallows, sherbet, and Turkish delight
, gummies landed on the "What's out in 2009" list for some Canadian schools. An audit in parts of Victoria, British Columbia was planned for 2009 to ensure the government ban on selling the confectionary in school canteens and vending machines is obeyed.
Scientists have studied adding tooth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol
to gummies to fight tooth decay.
Gelatin
Gelatin is a translucent, colorless, brittle , flavorless solid substance, derived from the collagen inside animals' skin and bones. It is commonly used as a gelling agent in food, pharmaceuticals, photography, and cosmetic manufacturing. Substances containing gelatin or functioning in a similar...
-based, chewy candy
Candy
Candy, specifically sugar candy, is a confection made from a concentrated solution of sugar in water, to which flavorings and colorants are added...
.
Gummi bears are the most popular and well known of the gummi candies. Other common shapes include bottles, worms, frogs, hamburgers, cherries, sharks, army men, hippopotami, lobsters, watermelons, octopodes, apples, peaches, oranges, and even full-size rats, large human body parts (hearts, feet, faces), Ampelmännchen
Ampelmännchen
is the symbolic person shown on traffic lights at pedestrian crossings in the former German Democratic Republic . Prior to the German reunification in 1990, the two German states had different forms for the Ampelmännchen, with a generic human figure in West Germany, and a generally male figure...
and Smurfs
The Smurfs
The Smurfs is a comic and television franchise centred on a group of small blue fictional creatures called Smurfs, created and first introduced as a series of comic strips by the Belgian cartoonist Peyo on October 23, 1958...
.
Gummi candy is sometimes combined with other forms of candy, such as marshmallow
Marshmallow
The marshmallow is a confection that, in its modern form, typically consists of sugar, corn syrup, water, gelatin that has been softened in hot water, dextrose, vanilla flavourings, and sometimes colouring, whipped to a spongy consistency. Some marshmallow recipes call for egg whites...
and chocolate as well as made sour.
History
Gummies have a long history as a popular confectioneryConfectionery
Confectionery is the set of food items that are rich in sugar, any one or type of which is called a confection. Modern usage may include substances rich in artificial sweeteners as well...
. The candy was invented by Hans Riegel Sr., the father of Hans Riegel
Hans Riegel
Johannes Peter "Hans" Riegel is a German entrepreneur who has owned and operated confectionery maker Haribo since 1946.Born in Bonn, he is the oldest son of the company's founder Hans Riegel, Sr...
, in 1922.
In 2008, R.M. Palmer Co. signed an agreement with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus is an American circus company. The company was started when the circus created by James Anthony Bailey and P. T. Barnum was merged with the Ringling Brothers Circus. The Ringling brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1907, but ran the circuses...
to become a licensee producing seasonal novelty gummies sold in bags, boxes or tins.
Types of gummies
Gummi worms
Gummi worms are a common variation first introduced by TrolliTrolli
Trolli is a brand which was registered in 1975 by Mederer GmbH - Germany. The main production today consists of gummy candies, marshmallows, and soft licorice gums. Trolli's headquarters are located in Fürth, Bavaria, Germany. However, products are sold worldwide to more than 80 countries...
a brand of the German Mederer GmbH
Mederer GmbH
Mederer GmbH is the second largest manufacturer of gummi candy in Germany, just behind Haribo. Mederer´s most popular brand is Trolli, a brand launched in 1975...
(note that the American branch is owned by Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods
Kraft Foods Inc. is an American confectionery, food and beverage conglomerate. It markets many brands in more than 170 countries. 12 of its brands annually earn more than $1 billion worldwide: Cadbury, Jacobs, Kraft, LU, Maxwell House, Milka, Nabisco, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Trident, Tang...
since 1996) on July 15, 1981, the 60th anniversary of gummi bears. The average gummi worms created by Trolli are about two inches long. Each gummi worm varies from four inches to ten inches and has two different colors and flavors that mix in the middle of the gummi worm. Some other brands of gummi worms have more than two colors, and are longer than the original Trolli Brite Crawlers, and may have a sour coating or other variations.
Bottles
Cola bottles are sweets in the shape of classic Coca-ColaCoca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
-style bottles with a cola flavor. They are produced by numerous companies. "Fizzy Blue Bottles", made by Lutti (formerly part of the French division of the Leaf Candy Company
Leaf Candy Company
Leaf International BV is a market leader in candy, chewing gum and pastilles in Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland and Belgium and has a number two position in Norway, Denmark, Belgium and Italy. In total Leaf products are sold in more than 50 countries worldwide...
, now controlled by a private investment group), are sweets typically found in a pick and mix selection. They are very similar to cola bottle gummies in shape, but blue and pink coloured and usually sour. "Blue Bottles", a variation from another company, have small rims around the sides, and are chewier and thicker, with a sweeter taste.
Rings
Ring shaped gummi candy that is often covered in sugar or sour powder. The most common and most popular flavor is the peach ring, but other flavors include green apple, melon, blue raspberry, strawberry, and aniseed - although these are typically coated in chocolate. A commonly know producer of gummi rings is Trolli, for which the gummi rings are an important asset.Red Frogs
In Australia, jelly confectionary in the shape of frogs has been very popular since the 1930s. They are coloured red or green, although they are usually referred to as "Red Frogs".Road Kill Gummies
In February 2005, following complaints by the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsNew Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a law enforcement agency in the state of New Jersey that focuses on humane law enforcement...
, Kraft decided to stop production of the controversial Trolli U.S. Road Kill Gummies. The society complained that the products, shaped as partly flattened squirrels, chickens and snakes, would give children an incorrect message on the proper treatment of animals.
Health considerations
Along with chocolate, chocolate chips and buttons, fudgeFudge
Fudge is a type of Western confectionery which is usually very sweet, and extremely rich. It is made by mixing sugar, butter, and milk and heating it to the soft-ball stage at , and then beating the mixture while it cools so that it acquires a smooth, creamy consistency...
, chocolate coated nuts and fruit, bubble gum, lollipops, toffee
Toffee
Toffee is a confection made by caramelizing sugar or molasses along with butter, and occasionally flour. The mixture is heated until its temperature reaches the hard crack stage of 300 to 310 °F...
, jelly beans, marshmallows, sherbet, and Turkish delight
Turkish Delight
Turkish delight or lokum is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; the cheapest are mostly gel, generally flavored with rosewater, mastic, or lemon...
, gummies landed on the "What's out in 2009" list for some Canadian schools. An audit in parts of Victoria, British Columbia was planned for 2009 to ensure the government ban on selling the confectionary in school canteens and vending machines is obeyed.
Scientists have studied adding tooth-protecting sugar substitute xylitol
Xylitol
Xylitol is a sugar alcohol sweetener used as a naturally occurring sugar substitute. It is found in the fibers of many fruits and vegetables, and can be extracted from various berries, oats, and mushrooms, as well as fibrous material such as corn husks and sugar cane bagasse, and birch...
to gummies to fight tooth decay.
See also
- Fruit GemsFruit GemsSunkist Fruit Gems are Half Dollar sized pectin candies.They are a soft round candy made from powdered sugar with fruit flavors. Fruit Gems are made by Jelly Belly, which purchased prior manufacturer, The Ben Myerson Candy Company, under license for Sunkist...
- GumdropGumdropGumdrops are a type of confectionery . They are usually brightly-colored gelatin- or pectin-based pieces, shaped like a truncated cone and coated in granulated sugar. This makes them very sweet....
- Jelly babyJelly babyJelly babies are a type of soft confectionery that look like little babies in a variety of colours. There are currently several brands of jelly babies, most predominantly Trebor Bassett , Rowntree , Norfolk Manor, and Haribo.Jelly babies were launched by Bassett's in 1918 in Sheffield...
- Quince cheeseQuince cheeseQuince cheese is a sweet, thick, quince jelly or quince candy.The recipe is probably of ancient origin; the Roman cookbook of Apicius, a collection of Roman cookery recipes compiled in the late 4th or early 5th century AD, gives recipes for stewing quince with honey.Historically marmalade was made...
- Swedish fishSwedish FishSwedish Fish is a type of chewy fish-shaped candy. It has been developed with special flavors specifically for the North American market by the Swedish candy producer Malaco, which exports products to North America.-History:...
- Gummi bears