Candy, is also known as lolly. It is a confection that has sugar as its primary ingredient. Sugar confectionery, includes any sweet like sugar candy, chocolate and chewing gum. Fruit, or nuts which are coated with sugar are usually said to have been candied.
Various Kinds Of Candies-
Sugar candies include hard candies, caramel and marshmallows, whose principal ingredient is sugar. Sugar candies are classified based on the amount of sugar they contain. Kompeito is a traditional Japanese sugar candy which is almost 100% sugar. Fruit-shaped hard candy is a sugar candy, containing sugar, color, and flavor. In Germany, Haribogummy bears are gummy candies, they are soft to chew. Jelly beans are soft sugar candies with high water content. Pantteri is a very soft, Finnish sugar candy, the coloured ones are fruity in flavour, while black are salty.
History Of Candies-
Prior to the 1900s, candy was usually sold unwrapped. But then unwrapped candies were criticized because of the dirt and germs they can attract. With time wax paper was became popular for wrapping, and foil and cellophane were also slowly becoming popular. In the 1940s, most candies used to be homemade. During the 1950s some individually wrapped candies started to become popular. By the 1970s, factory-sealed packaging with brand name printed on it became popular.
How Are They Made-
Candy is made from sugar by dissolving it in water or milk to prepare syrup. The syrup is boiled for a long time so that it starts solidifying and they are poured in moulds. Candy comes in various textures, like soft, hard and gel type. The texture of the candies depends primarily on the ingredients and the temperatures at which it has been processed. Most of the candies are prepared commercially. It is very difficult to duplicate taste and texture of candies exactly. Even small differences in the machinery, temperature, and timing can cause great differences in the final product.
The Packaging Facts
Packaging prevents loss of aroma and flavor. Wax paper is good for sealing it against air, moisture, dust, and germs, Whereas cellophane is used in packing because it is transparent and protects candies from grease and moisture, moreover it is resealable. Polyethylene is used to make bags in bulk packaging. Packages are sealed with adhesive made of tapioca, potato or wheat. Packaging helps market the product as it is convenient to print names on wrappers. Branding is easy by advertising the name printed on wraps.
Shelf life-
Shelf life for candies is referred to as the time period for which they can be stored without losing their original taste. Because of its high sugar concentration, bacteria won’t grow in candies. As a result, the shelf life is longer than any food products. Candies can be safely stored at room temperature for a long period of time. It is said that, properly stored Hard candy may last indefinitely.
