Do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin? Are you searching for gelatin-free candy options to add to an Easter basket, fulfill your Halloween cravings, or enjoy at the movie theater?
Regardless of the occasion, you might be curious about the gelatin status of Sour Patch Kids, a popular choice. Notably, most gummy candies typically contain gelatin, which is unsuitable for vegetarians.
The attraction of Sour Patch Kids lies in the fact that opposites come together harmoniously. Their distinct combination of sweet and sour flavors makes them so captivating.
With their tart and tangy exterior and sweet and fruity interior, every bite offers a delightful variation, resulting in an irresistible and one-of-a-kind candy experience.
But do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin? The answer to this question is “NO,” sour patch kids do not have gelatin.
This article features all you need to know about sour patch kids, including the ingredients found in Sour Patch Kids. Additionally, we will delve into the vegan aspect of the most debated ingredient “sugar,” found in sour patch kids.
What Are Sour Patch Kids?
Sour Patch Kids have gained popularity as a widely enjoyed candy, not only in the United States but also across the globe. Originating in North America in the early 1970s, these candies have expanded their reach to various countries. Each region has its adaptations of Sour Patch Kids, considering local preferences and reflecting regional differences.
Regardless of the specific version or regional variation, one consistent characteristic of Sour Patch Kids is their chewy texture and flavor profile. These candies uniformly offer an initial burst of sourness that gradually transitions into a pleasant and sweet taste as they are chewed.
The first Sour Patch Kids offered fruit flavors like cherry, lime, orange, and lemon. However, the range of flavors has expanded over time. Nowadays, you can find variations like watermelon Sour Patch Kids and other flavors, including passionfruit, strawberry, pear, tropical, and grape. When searching for Sour Patch Kids, you can find them alongside other gummy candies like fruit pastels and wine gums.
In addition to its regular offerings, this popular candy brand also introduces various holiday-themed variations, including Heads and Bodies, Xmas Kids, etc.
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Do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin?
Before answering the question, do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin? Let’s examine the package of Sour Patch Kids made and distributed in the United States.
Let’s explore each ingredient.
Sour Patch Kids Ingredients
- Natural and Artificial Flavors: Sorry, but you can’t deceive yourself into thinking you’re consuming a portion of fruit with your snack. These flavors resemble baking extracts instead of pure fruit.
- Citric acid: this additional tangy flavor enhances the surface’s complexity and contrast in various citrus fruits such as lines and lemon.
- Tartaric acid imparts a unique sour kick to the candies! Tartaric acid is derived naturally from numerous plants, particularly tamarind, and grapes.
- Artificial colors: Real fruits can only imagine possessing such vibrant and daring shades! These colors are a result of scientific processes rather than being naturally occurring.
- Invert sugar: A thick and adhesive syrup is created by blending fructose and dextrose. This ingredient plays a crucial role in preventing crystallization while making candy. It is also the secret behind expert pastry chefs breathing life into sugar sculptures with their skilled hands.
- Sugar: Constituting the majority of this candy, ordinary granulated sugar is an ingredient that can spark controversy. The question arises: Is sugar vegan? Although it originates from sugar beets or sugarcane, naturally derived from plants, the processing methods may not be entirely vegan. Some manufacturers use bone char, derived from animal bones, to refine their sugar. Unfortunately, this information is not typically disclosed on product labels, making it challenging to determine at a glance. It can be somewhat uncertain. Hence, you have a personal decision to make.
- Modified corn starch: In this context, “modified” does not refer to genetic modification. It simply indicates that the starch has undergone additional processing, such as exposure to acids, heat, or electricity, to alter its properties and enhance the structure of the candy.
- Corn syrup: It is important to note that plain corn syrup is distinct from high fructose corn syrup. Corn syrup is produced by refining the natural sugars found in corn, resulting in a thick and viscous light golden liquid. Its purpose in this treat is to contribute to creating a soft texture.
- Titanium dioxide: This finely powdered substance is a vivid, white pigment to differentiate between the surface’s color and the candy’s center.
After considering the ingredients used in making sour patch kids, it is evident that neither has gelatin nor is gelatin; hence, our conclusion is; sour patch kids do not have gelatin.
Are Sour Patch Kids Vegan?
At first glance, these candies contain vegan ingredients.
The ingredients listed contain sugar. Although plain sugar is vegan, the sugar industry’s refining process is not always vegan-friendly.
At first glance, these candies may be made with vegan ingredients.
However, it’s important to note that even though plain sugar itself is considered vegan, the refining process used in the sugar industry is not always vegan-friendly.
Plain sugar is often processed using bone char derived from animal bones, typically from charred cattle bones. Bone char is employed as a decolorizer to achieve the white color of sugar. However, it poses challenges in determining whether the white sugar has undergone this process.
Processed candy often incorporates various kinds of sugar. This means that you might encounter cane sugar, which undergoes processing with bone char, alongside beet sugar derived from sugar beets, which is considered vegan-friendly.
Unfortunately, Mondelez International, which owns sour patch kids, has confirmed that bone char is used by their sugar suppliers. This makes sour patch kids not truly vegan.
Sadly, Mondelez International, the company that owns Sour Patch Kids, has confirmed that bone char is employed by their sugar providers. As a result, Sour Patch Kids cannot be considered entirely vegan.
Finally, although artificial flavors and colors may appear vegan-friendly, it’s important to note that the artificial colors utilized in Sour Patch Kids are derived from petroleum. Before being included in consumer products, these colors often undergo extensive testing on animals. This contradicts the fundamental philosophy of vegans, which aims to avoid causing harm to any living being. Consequently, these ingredients can be considered technically non-vegan.
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Are Sour Patch Kids gluten-free?
Sour Patch Kids are suitable for a gluten-free diet. While they may not have an official gluten-free label on their packaging, they are made without gluten.
However, if you have extreme gluten sensitivity, opt for candies with a certified gluten-free label to ensure they meet your dietary needs.
Can You Make Sour Patch Kids at Home?
Read on to find the instructions and ingredients to make your homemade Sour Patch Kids.
Let’s start with the ingredients first:
Four tablespoons of fresh fruit juice, three tablespoons of granulated sugar, three tablespoons of pectin, one tablespoon of unflavored gelatin and two tablespoons of water, and one tablespoon of water. One tablespoon of citric acid and half a cup of granulated sugar for the coating.
Instructions
- Mix unflavored gelatin and two tablespoons of water in a bowl. Stir well and let it sit for 5 minutes to bloom.
- Using a small saucepan, heat fresh fruit juice + sugar on medium-low heat. Stir at intervals until the mixture comes to a simmer.
- Once the mixture is simmering, put the pectin and stir well. Continue heating until the mixture comes to a gentle boil.
- When boiling the mixture, add the bloomed gelatin from step one and stir until it dissolves completely.
- Continue cooking the mixture until it thickens. Then, turn off the heat.
- Using a syringe, fill the candy molds with the mixture.
- Let the mold set in the fridge for approximately two to three hours.
- Dehydrate the candies by removing them from their molds and leaving them overnight in the fridge. This allows them to have a former texture.
- Mix one tablespoon of citric acid with half cup of granulated sugar in a small bowl.
- Coat the candies in the citric juice and leaves them open in the fridge.
You can now enjoy your homemade Sour Patch Kids.
Frequently Asked Questions-Do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin?
What Is Sour Patch Kids Made Of?
Natural and artificial flavor, citric acid, tartaric acid, Artificial colors (yellow #6, yellow #5, red #40, blue #1), inverted sugar, sugar, modified corn starch, and corn syrup.
Does Sour Patch Kids Have Pig Gelatin?
Gelatin is derived from animals like pigs’ and cows’ collagen, bones, skin, and ligaments. Upon closely examining the ingredients list, it becomes evident that Sour Patch Kids candies do not include gelatin.
Is Sour Patch Gelatin Free?
Based on the ingredients, Sour Patch Kids can be considered vegan-friendly. Unlike many other soft and chewy candies, they do not contain eggs or gelatin, commonly used to achieve a bouncy texture.
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Conclusion-Do Sour Patch Kids Have Gelatin?
Sour Patch Kids is a sour-to-sweet gummy candy. Unlike the majority of gummy sweets that are made gummy with the help of gelatin, sour patch kids use other ingredients to achieve the desired gummy texture.
Sour patch kids do not contain gelatin.