Sour Apple or Blue Raspberry?
July 8, 2011 8:56 AM
Jolly Ranchers chemistry. Why do you get so sticky? And how do I fix you?
Ok, so, what is the chemistry behind Jolly Ranchers and other hard candies that makes them get so sticky that the wrappers are basically glued to them? When you first get them, they're so smooth and sticky-less!
I'm thinking it has to do with humidity, from observation over the last couple batches I've gone through.. but is that right? And once they start to get sticky, is there any way to 'fix' them and get them back to being non-sticky? (freezing doesn't even seem to work)
And how to prevent it in the first place? (Although, depending on the answer to 'why does it happen, that may end up being self evident).
Ok, so, what is the chemistry behind Jolly Ranchers and other hard candies that makes them get so sticky that the wrappers are basically glued to them? When you first get them, they're so smooth and sticky-less!
I'm thinking it has to do with humidity, from observation over the last couple batches I've gone through.. but is that right? And once they start to get sticky, is there any way to 'fix' them and get them back to being non-sticky? (freezing doesn't even seem to work)
And how to prevent it in the first place? (Although, depending on the answer to 'why does it happen, that may end up being self evident).
Don't put them in the fridge, that won't work. Transfer them to a tupperware as soon as you buy them, and toss in a pack of desiccant (the ones that come in the box when you buy new shoes are fine). If you have small kids eating them, though, make sure they know not to eat the desiccant.
posted by phunniemee at 9:07 AM on July 8, 2011
posted by phunniemee at 9:07 AM on July 8, 2011
I imagine its just the sugars melting that makes them sticky.
Putting them in warm water (or your mouth) will get the wrappers off. Don't really think you can save them for repackaging after.
When backpacking or hiking, my buddies and I used to call the sweaty, sticky Jolly Ranchers in our pockets "Pocket Ranchers" and usually just popped them in anyway and salivated the wrappers off. Which usually led to a few minutes of getting the nasty wrapper out of your mouth, lagging behind and the inevitable "Wait up! I was f-ing with my Pocket Rancher!"
And Peach. Peach is the only way to go.
posted by elendil71 at 9:08 AM on July 8, 2011
Putting them in warm water (or your mouth) will get the wrappers off. Don't really think you can save them for repackaging after.
When backpacking or hiking, my buddies and I used to call the sweaty, sticky Jolly Ranchers in our pockets "Pocket Ranchers" and usually just popped them in anyway and salivated the wrappers off. Which usually led to a few minutes of getting the nasty wrapper out of your mouth, lagging behind and the inevitable "Wait up! I was f-ing with my Pocket Rancher!"
And Peach. Peach is the only way to go.
posted by elendil71 at 9:08 AM on July 8, 2011
Just don't add water, or even moisture. Otherwise they'll act like corn syrup is wont to act, i.e. sticking to absolutely everything.
It seems that hard candies generally absorb moisture from the air, and thus become sticky over time. Obviously the wrappers do not form an effective vapor barrier for the candy.
posted by LionIndex at 9:10 AM on July 8, 2011
It seems that hard candies generally absorb moisture from the air, and thus become sticky over time. Obviously the wrappers do not form an effective vapor barrier for the candy.
posted by LionIndex at 9:10 AM on July 8, 2011
Sugars are notoriously hydroscopic: they suck water from the air very easily. there's very little you can do about that. As valkyryn says, all you can do is keep them in low humidity and cool. It's pretty much impossible to reverse the process at home.
The traditional confectioners' trick is to dust with icing sugar, containing conrnstarch. The starch keeps the sugars from absorbing too much humidity, like dessicant packets.
The best place to keep them would be fresh, in a freezer. Barring that, fresh in a zippy bag. If you keep the packet in your jeans, it's a guarantee for sticky fingers.
posted by bonehead at 9:23 AM on July 8, 2011
The traditional confectioners' trick is to dust with icing sugar, containing conrnstarch. The starch keeps the sugars from absorbing too much humidity, like dessicant packets.
The best place to keep them would be fresh, in a freezer. Barring that, fresh in a zippy bag. If you keep the packet in your jeans, it's a guarantee for sticky fingers.
posted by bonehead at 9:23 AM on July 8, 2011
You probably won't be interested in buying a Food Saver or equivalent vacuum sealer just for storing candy, but if you already have one, or have access to one, I think it would help a lot. (This is mostly speculation. It's dry where I live, and I don't have a FoodSaver.)
posted by Bruce H. at 11:05 AM on July 8, 2011
posted by Bruce H. at 11:05 AM on July 8, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
Once they first get sticky, they'll stick to the wrapper. When that happens, they'll stay stuck, and no amount of whatever is going to put Humpty Dumpty back together again.
Solution: keep them cool and dry. That's about it.
posted by valkyryn at 9:01 AM on July 8, 2011