How to make Gummy Bears: The Ultimate Guide

What is Gummy Bears

Gummy candy is a unique type of candy consisting of gelatin, flavorings, colorings, and sweeteners.

The candy is bear-shaped and is approximately 2 cm (0.8 in) long.

Gummy bear is among the numerous variety of gummies, popular gelatin-based candies in the market in various shapes and colors.

It is one of the most flexible confection products ever, since you can mold the gummy into literally any shape due to its nature.

Gummy

Benefits of Gummy Bears

Most gummy candies stick to teeth and may result in tooth decay.

Nonetheless, there are gummy bears having the cavity-fighting ingredient xylitol.

Some manufacturers produce a line of gummy bear candies that help the teeth and immune system.

Though gummy bears commonly comprise of majorly empty calories, there is increased production of gummy bears having Vitamin C.

Multivitamins have as well been manufactured in the form of gummy bear candies to encourage consumption among picky, young eaters.

Origin of Gummy Bears

Though most parents might recall gummy bears as a candy treat that came into the market in the early 1980s.

The origin of this type of gummy candy, in fact, goes several decades way back than that.

German entrepreneur Hans Riegel developed gummy bear candy in the early 1920s when he began his candy manufacturing business.

The first gummy candies produced by Riegel’s company were bear-shaped.

Riegel drew his inspiration from the trained bears he grew up watching during street festivals across Europe.

Riegel’s original base ingredient was gum Arabic, thus the name gummy bears.

Ingredients used to make Gummy Bears

Generally, the main ingredients used in the manufacture of gummy bear candy constitute gelatin, starches, cone syrup, sugar, flavorings, citric acid, and food colorings.

In some situations, producers use beet sugar to sweeten gummy candy.

 Gummy bear

A sugar-free gummy bear prescription would exclude the sugar and incorporate an artificial sweetener like Aspartame.

Sugar-free gummy bears make it possible for diabetics and anyone watching their sugar uptake and weight to relish the delicious goodness that this candy provides.

Variations and Flavors of Gummy Bears

Some of the most common flavors of gummy bears comprise of orange, pineapple, raspberry, lemon, and strawberry.

Though ordinary gummy bear candies can have very high sugar content, you can equally get healthier varieties in the market today.

· Sour Gummy Bears

At times, it is not the sweet treat you long for, rather, you crave something that will arouse your taste buds and make them take notice.

Sour gummy bear can do exactly that.

Formulation Trends in Nutritional Gummy Candies

During gummy candy formulation, to ensure that your gummy bear is effective and appealing, it is crucial to consider dosage rates of active ingredients, suitable gelling agents, and taste.

 Gummy candy material formulation

· Active Ingredients

Mineral blends and multivitamins are still the widely used active ingredients in gummy manufacturing.

When formulating gummies, it is vital to consider specific parameters insignificant in other sectors.

For instance, the taste of candy is most crucial, though manufacturers may have enhanced task-masking technology.

Choosing good-tasting raw materials is instrumental and creates a more acceptable outcome, eventually yielding a higher chance of success for the gummy bears.

Color of the gummy candy should also be put into consideration since most active ingredients may have powerful or at times unappealing colors.

Additionally, the dosage is equally essential because it is helpful in determining serving size when you know the usage rate.

The active ingredient(s) determine the usage rate in gummy formulation.

On one side of the range, you can have above 20 percent, commonly macronutrient-kind ingredients like fiber or protein.

Conversely, on the other side, at times 0.1 percent of raw material having a metallic or strong bitter taste is unacceptable.

With known dosage, and after estimating or establishing usage rate, you can use the information to determine serving size based on gummy mass.

Generally, maximal usage rate for a mineral and multivitamin premix is about 5 percent, but it is upon the product’s marketing team to decide on the maximum serving size.

Apart from minerals and vitamins, essential fatty acids are some of the other active ingredients that are suitable for making gummy bears.

Nonetheless, vegan types, such as flax oil can also be used, though plant extracts, especially fruit, normally gives better result from texture and taste perspective.

· Gelling Agents

Thickening or gelling agents are incorporated in the gummy bear formula to give structural support required for the candy to sustain its shape.

Gelatin is traditionally the original and most common ingredient, which is presently extracted from porcine and bovine hides as the most popular low-risk alternative.

Gelatin is a versatile coagulation agent that works well and has high active usage rates.

It creates a bouncy, springy texture that most customers like and require when chewing gummy confectionery.

Moreover, it is as well a multipurpose protein and the most cost-effective alternative in most situations.

Disadvantages of gelatin are mainly because of perception, and the reason that confectioneries consisting of animal-sourced ingredients are restricted to the non-vegetarian consumers.

Other drawbacks are melting point and the existence of relatively higher regulatory stipulations relating to animal-sourced ingredients.

However, a heat-stable vegan gelatin formula is available as an alternative.

Pectin is another common coagulation agent, with demand for gummies made from it starting to exceed that of gummy candies using gelatin.

The major advantage of pectin as a gelling agent for gummy bear candy is its exceptional perception in all markets.

Pectin is favored because it is fully vegetarian since it extracted from plant, supports gastrointestinal and cellular health, and gummy bears manufactured from it boast of very high-temperature stability.

Nevertheless, the primary disadvantage of pectin is its lower shear than gelatin.

This makes it more difficult to work with pectin, for instance, the bond is non-reversible.

Though gelatin and pectin are the most common coagulation agents, there exist others like agar that is usually blended with other plant constituents such as gums or carrageenan.

The main advantage of these raw materials over pectin seems to be on supply since typically they can be more difficult to work with.

They often result in inferior products in terms of appearance, label perception, and texture.

· Sugar-free Ingredients

The majority of gummy bear candies are ordinarily consisted of (beet) sugar and (corn) syrup, with finite polyol sugar-free alternatives, like maltitol.

Presently, ingredients with excellent impressions have become the confectionery industry benchmark, particularly cane juice sugar and tapioca syrup.

Inulin extracted from chicory root and a source of soluble nutritional fiber is the most in-demand premium sugar-free alternative.

There also exist some advanced, related sugar-free ingredients, and one that seems to be getting popular very fast is isomalto-oligosaccharide.

It provides numerous benefits over inulin like gastrointestinal tolerance and cost.

· Hygienic Production

Lately, consumers are getting more health-conscious, thus it is vital to ensure that gummy bear formulas do not have potentially dangerous ingredients, like:

• Allergens
• Genetically modified organism-sourced materials
• Artificial flavors and colors.

Gummy bear candy has typically been manufactured through a starch molding process.

This procedure reuses the starch used to create the gummy mold, and there is considerable residual quantity left on the candies after they have been scrubbed and blown off.

Therefore, starch molding technology has significant difficulties in making sure the gummy bears remain uncontaminated.

Newer, more improved methods, like direct depositing, are greatly superior to conventional starch molding techniques.

Direct depositing normally entails depositing the gummy compound directly into stainless-steel or silicone molds that can be cleaned and sanitized between batches.

This allows for much greater control over the level of sanitation of the manufacturing environment and the prevention of cross-contamination.

It is only through the use of highly advanced production mechanisms.

In addition to the availability of systems and procedures that gummy bears can claim to be completely free of foreign materials, like allergens and GMO-sourced ingredients.

How to Choose Gummy Bear Manufacturing Machine

Choosing the right gummy bear manufacturing machine that supports your distinct and often sophisticated requirements is important.

Gummy production equipment

Through this, you can attain the desired outcome and giving peace of mind.

Here are three essential factors that you should consider when buying a gummy bear manufacturing machine.

· Cost

Just like any other industrial machine, the gummy candy making machine is very costly, so it is crucial to look at the price.

Thoroughly examine your budget to prevent the fall of your business before buying the equipment since purchasing it can have serious financial implications on your operations.

You should visit several suppliers and compare their prices for the same machine that you consider buying.

Settle on a supplier that offers the best equipment at affordable prices.

· Durability

Considering the cost of the machine, you should make sure that it will serve for the longest time possible without developing major problems.

Involve a professional who can assist you in selecting the best equipment for your manufacturing needs.

Working with an expert ensures your make informed decisions pertaining to your purchase.

· Type of machine

Automation has formally entered in the production process, and producers are employing cobots (collaborative robots) to increase efficiencies and bot output.

Therefore, you need to resolve whether you desire to take this path or stick to human operators only.

Manufacturing Gummy Bear Candies

Production of gummy bear candies utilizes a specialized machine known as a starch mogul.

The manufacturing process takes place in various steps, and the mass production of gummy bears has registered significant improvements to enhance the efficiency and speed of the process.

Now let’s look at how gummy bear candies are produced.

· Compounding

The manufacturing process of gummy candies starts with compounding.

The right quantity of gummy raw materials is physically poured into the large main mixing tanks, which have mixing, heating, and cooling abilities.

Depending on the batch size, compounding of gummy bear candy can take between one to three hours.

The completed batch is then taken to the Quality Control laboratory to ensure that it meets the needed specifications.

· Forming Candy

After going through the QC testing, the compounded gummy candy is transferred to the starch mogul machine.

Starch is the main component of the machine and has three keypurposes which include:

• Prevents gummy candy from sticking on the mold. As a result, it is easy to handle and remove the gummy candy.
• Holds the gummy bear in position during the processes of drying, cooling, and setting.
• Gives the gummy candies the right texture by absorbing moisture from them.

Here are the main stages involved in making gummy candy in a starch mogul.

1) The first step involves stacking of trays containing previously filled, cooled, and formed gummy bear candies.

Consequently, the trays are then moved one after the other by a conveyor into the next segment of the equipment, called starch buck.

2) As the trays enter the starch buck, the mogul inverts them and the gummy bear candies drop into a vibrating metal screen referred to as sieve.

The vibration of the sieve, in conjunction with rotating brushes, scrubs all the excess starch that sticks to the gummy candy.

A conveyor belt then moves the gummy candy pieces into trays, where operators manually move them to other machinery for further processing and eventual packaging.

However, a more advanced version of a starch buck, known as a pneumatic starch buck, fully automates this stage.

In the pneumatic starch buck, the filled trays are enveloped with a firmly fitting cover, which the gummy bear candies stick to ensuring they stay in their ordered position.

Fast-oscillating compressed-air jets then removes the excess starch.

A conveyor belt can then transfer the candies for further processing.

 Gummy bear manufacturing process

3) During the process, it can recycle the starch from gummy candy manufacturing process.

But first, you need to clean, dry and recondition it.

You can remove the candy particles by passing the starch through a metal screen.

The metal screen is also called sieve.

After this, you can transfer it to the starch recirculating conditioning system.

As the starch enters the conditioning system, it passes through hot, moving air that dries it.

Cool air jets then cool the starch, and the system consequently conveys it back to the mogul for reuse in starch molding operation.

4) The system conveyor belt will move the starch to the mogul from the drier.

At this point, it will fill and level starch into the empty trays (one that is similar to step 2).

After filling the tray, they will move to the printer table.

At this stage, a board having the converse of the mold printed on it compresses the starch until the mold form an indent in it.

The trays are then transferred to the depositors.

5) Also, you will move the compounded gummy candy to the depositors, the part of the starch mogul with a filling nozzle.

It can inject the precise quantity of candy required into the trays as they pass below it.

The depositor segment of the mogul can have 30 and above depositors, based on the number of imprints on the trays.

In more current depositors, you can add flavors, acids, and color right in the depositor.

This enables making of different flavors and colors concurrently, speeding up the operation.

6) The system then transfers the filled trays to a stacking machine and eventually to a cooling room, where the candies are appropriately cooled and formed.

This stage of gummy bear manufacturing process can last for over 24 hours.

After successful formation of the gummy bear candies, the trays are taken back to the starch mogul, and the gummy bears manufacturing process starts afresh.

 Gummy bear polishing

What is Starch Mogul Machine

This is a special starch molding machine capable of automatically carry out the multiple operations entailed in the making of gummy candies.

It is referred to as starch mogul machinery since starch is a major component.

The starch mogul system utilizes equipment with trays containing starch.

Each tray has a die firmly pressed in it to form cavities in the starch, which are then injected with the candy material.

The candy ingredients are left to cool or harden as required.

During the cooling or hardening phase, the starch aids in the absorption of excess water, making it easy to handle the gummy candy molds.

Eventually, the system dumps the trays and the starch and gummy bear candy are separated, with the starch being reused.

Starch moguls were developed around 1899 and found extensive application within a decade or two.

The first mogul machines were fabricated from wood, but subsequent ones were built from steel.

Key Components of Starch Mogul System

The gummy bear candy production line includes the following key parts or systems:

• Cooking system
• Starch tray conveyor and loader
• Starch conditioning system
• Depositors
• Accessories

Quality Control of Gummy Bears Candy Manufacturing

Gummy bear candy production quality control begins by checking and testing raw materials.

Before using them, the ingredients are tested in the Quality control laboratory to make sure they meet the specifications.

Several sensory features are assessed including color, flavor, appearance, and odor.

Numerous other features, such as:

• Viscosity of oils
• PH of liquids
• Particle size of the solids, etc.

Every confectionery manufacturer depends on these tests to ascertain that the ingredients will form a homogenous, quality batch of gummy bear candy.

Quality control also involves careful monitoring of the features of every batch of the end products.

You assess the physical aspects of the gummy bears that comprise texture, odor, appearance, and flavor.

The common mechanism of testing is to do a comparison of the physical aspects with an established standard.

For instance, you compare the color of a random sample to a standard put during product development.

Other features like odor, taste, and texture are analyzed by sensory panels.

These are composed of a group of individuals who are particularly trained to detect small differences.

Coupled with sensory tests, several important tests have been developed over the years to complement assessments done by humans.

How to Attain Maximum Output in Gummy Bears Candy Production

From production to packaging, enhancing efficiency and flexibility is crucial to achieving maximum productivity in the making of gummy bear candy.

 Gummy bear

• Enhanced Flexibility in Starch Molding

Starch molding technology enables manufacturers to form a variety of gummy candy using a single piece of machine.

Due to its high flexibility, it facilitates the manufacturing of gummies and jellies in all sort of shapes, sizes, and formats.

It also offers the flexibility to produce other confectionery products, like marshmallow foam, fondant cream, and liquorice.

For instance, the candy depositing process gives you numerous chances to manufacture a variety of product types and colors.

The depositors are fitted with pumps of varied piston configurations and diameters, fit for different recipes.

Furthermore, the design of other versions of pump allow them to deposit side-by-side color or single color candies.

This is coupled with layered, striped and centre-fill confections.

Adopting starch molding technology will enable you to satisfy all your customer requirements without compromise, boost efficiency and lower production overlaps.

• Advanced Coating Technology

Latest development in confectionery seasoning technology allows for automatic sugar coating of candy, increasing speed of production, while also boosting output.

Standard sugar-coating methods entail running a molded gummy via a curtain of sugar inside a tumble drum.

The method can lead to the disintegration of gummy shape due to melting of outer coating when heated.

However, advanced recipe-driven method exhibits that tacking agents, spread at a very distinct rate through a special coating machine, enables you to coat a gummy bear candy without drenching it.

In addition, you can move the citric acid or sugar powder into a small tumble drum using a controlled delivery.

This leads to a shorter retention time with enhanced quality of products.

The modern gummy bear coating process offers great versatility in the application of flavor, because you can add flavored tacking agents, or dry ingredients at a specific rate to meet different consumer preferences.

• Efficient Packaging System

Choosing an effective packaging technique that maximizes the speed of packaging.

Its handy in satisfying the increasing demand for gummy bear candy.

For instance, Vertical form fill and seal equipment will make it possible to easily and swiftly package a broad range of confectionery, including gummy bears.

Modern gummy candy packaging systems are able to even pack items at speeds of beyond 250 bags every minute.

So long as all components of the packaging line can attain the same levels of output.

These machines as well minimize waste through inclusion of stripper tube closures that make sure there is high seal integrity.

This is particularly essential for sugar-coated gummy bear candies, in which the sugar can compromise quality of seal.

The most current VFFS machine also helps candy manufacturers in satisfying ever-evolving consumer wants.

For instance, there is increasing popularity of smaller, convenient packages.

Ordinarily, gummy candy manufacturers need different machines and parts that needs to be substituted between every production run to give different bag sizes.

Nevertheless, next-generation VFFS innovation has been included in the systems for swift pack or product changes.

Moreover, these systems provide a broad array of bag size options.

• Preparing for Growth

Adapting swiftly to emerging market and consumer trends is vital for gummy bear manufacturers to not only maintain or gain market share, but as well sustain the pace of growth in the sector.

Versatile processing and packaging machines are efficient solutions that enable producers to form gummy bear candy in all formats, sizes and shapes effectively.

New Technology in Gummy Bears Manufacturing Process

• Starch-free Gummy Bears Candy Manufacturing

 Gummy bear manufacturing line

The new exceptional Fast Forward Process technology minimizes the time needed to produce gelatin gummy to about an hour.

The technology facilitates almost instant de-molding and ushers the start of a new era in the production of gelatin gummy bear candy.

Utilizing silicon molds rather than starch trays, this innovation minimizes the handling of materials to a fraction while preventing cross-contamination or dust residues due to the use of starch.

Due to this, it as well opens new opportunities to take part in the worldwide fortified gummy bear candy trend.

• Digital Sorter for Gummy Candy

The innovative digital sorter for gummy confectionery has a design that enables it to sense and eliminate foreign material from process of production.

This machine allows gummy bear candy producers to enhance the quality of the product, also guarding their brand, while absolutely doing away with false rejects to achieve maximum profits.

The unique sensor configuration of the digital sorter not only facilitates the most comprehensive all-sided surface analysis but also allows advanced detection.

This gives a sort accuracy that was unimagined until now.

The equipment sorts vitamin-enhanced, oil-coated, yogurt-coated and sugar-coated gummy bear candies.

It senses size, shape, color and structural features to find gummy bears having particles of remaining starch.

The digital sorter does this even when evaluating milky-white, yogurt-coated gummy candies with similar texture and color as starch.

Digital sorter for gummy confectionery senses all kinds of foreign material, including wood and plastic.

This assures candy manufacturers using wood or plastic trays that bits of a broken tray doesn’t get into the product package.

The sorter as well senses color defects like mixed-color gummy bear candies and shape defects like malformed gummy, conjoined gummy, mold spills, clumps and more.

Challenges in Gummy Candy Manufacturing Process

Currently, the priority in making gummy bear candy is increasing efficiency, speed and safety of the process of manufacturing.h molding phase, since starch dryers carry an explosion hazard.

Safety is a primary concern particularly during starcIt is recommended you utilize blast walls, spark-proof switches and other safety mechanisms of this nature to reduce these hazards.

Consumers are continually on a mission to explore new tastes and variety of gummy bear candy.

Therefore, the survival of ventures involved in the manufacturing of gummy candy depends on developing new gummy colors and flavors that will attract consumers to purchase and try!

How Alcoholic Gummy Bears compare to Gummy Bears with Unflavored Gelatin

Also called boozy bears, alcoholic gummy bears are alcohol-infused gummy candy specifically meant for adults.

They are formed by soaking gummy bears in alcohol, such as gin, vodka, or tequila.

The gummy candy absorbs the liquor and becomes a yummy fruity alcoholic gummy bear.

Some can actually make you get tipsy after a few handfuls, whereas others are just infused to give the alcoholic treat.

On the other hand, unflavored gelatin gummy bears are gummies made from plain gelatin, a yellowish, odorless, and almost tasteless substance.

How to Preserve Gummy Bears

 Gummy storage

Gummy bear candies need to be stored in cool, dry places.

In case you are living in a hot and humid environment, you should refrigerate the candies to prevent them from melting.

Refrigeration can make your gummies to last for between 6 to 8 months.

Moreover, storing your gummy bears in an airtight heavy-duty freezer bag can make them last for up to one year.