National Sour Candy Day is celebrated annually on July 18th, dedicated to those who have that pucker-inducing, lip-smacking taste for sour candy. This unofficial holiday gives a license to people who are obsessed with sour candy to indulge in their favorite tangy treats, explore new sour sensations, and share the joy of sour sweets with friends and family.
History of National Sour Candy Day
The American Licorice Company founded National Sour Candy Day in 2015 as a way to inject a little fun into the candy game. It celebrates the enjoyment of sour candies, from the vast diversity down to crazy creativity. Since then, this holiday has only come to be more popular as a bevy of sour candy lovers around the nation join in on activities and promotions.
How to Celebrate National Sour Candy Day
- Taste Testing: Ask someone to gather quite a variety of sour candies. Then, taste these candies with your friend or family member. See if you can rank them from least to most sour.
- Candy-Making Party : Have a homemade sour candy-making party. Tinker a bit with recipes and flavors.
- Sour Candy Challenges: This will involve sour candy challenges to see who is able to handle the sourest of them all without flinching.
- Social Sharing: Share sour candy experiences, favorite brands on social media using the hashtag #NationalSourCandyDay.
- Stop by Candy Shops: Check out the local candy shops for new and different sour candies.
Also Read: National Gummi Worm Day: A Celebration of a Chewy, Wiggly Treat
Homemade Sour Candy Recipe Guide:
Required Ingredients for Sour Candy
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon citric acid
- 1/4 cup water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Powdered citric acid (for coating)
Stepwise Instructions:
- Prepare the Candy Mold: Lightly grease a candy mold or a silicone mat.
- Cook Sugar Mixture: Using a medium saucepan, pur the sugar, corn syrup, and water and stir it over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Heat to Hard Crack Stage: Check with the candy thermometer and cook the mixture without stirring until it reaches 300ºF, the hard crack stage.
- Add Citric Acid and Color: Now remove from heat and quickly mix citric acid and food coloring and stir for some time.
- Pour in Molds: Pour the hot candy mixture into the lined mold or onto the silicone mat and let it cool down and harden completely.
Silicon Mold for making sour candy, Via: Amazon - Citric Acid Dusting: When the candy has hardened, smash it to pieces and then coat with powdered citric acid for a mixed ooh or even a super sour kick.
Nutritional Values in Sour Candy
| Nutrient | Amount (per 100g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 400 kcal |
| Total Fat | 0 grams |
| Sodium | 5 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 99 grams |
| Sugars | 75 grams |
| Protein | 0 grams |
Health Benefits and Effects of Sour Candy for Kids
Health Benefits:
- Mood Booster: The intense flavor of sour candy can act as a mood enhancer and provide a quick energy boost.
- Saliva Production: Sour candies stimulate saliva production, which can help in maintaining oral hygiene by washing away food particles.
Potential Negative Effects of Sour Candy:
- Tooth Decay: High sugar content can be the cause of tooth decay if it is taken to excess, not accompanied by good dental care.
- Upset Stomach: If one consumes too much of the sour candies, then the high acidity can cause stomach discomfort.
- Behavioral Changes: Such a large amount of sugar can, in some cases, create hyperactivity among children.
The Sourest Candy in the World
The title of the sourest candy in the world is often given to Warheads. These candies are known for their extremely sour outer coating, which can cause intense puckering and eye-watering. Another contender is the Toxic Waste candy, which is also renowned for its extreme sourness. Also the Mega Sour Candy, which is claiming the world’s most sour candy. But i’m not going to prove, that which one is the most Sourest candy now. There are several videos, where people are tasting these candy, you can watch here.😝😝😝
Taste Variety of Sour Candy
Sour candies come in a wide range of flavors and textures, including:
- Lemon: Classic and intensely tart.
- Apple: A mix of sweetness and tang.
- Cherry: Sweet with a sharp sour bite.
- Grape: Unique sour twist on a classic fruit flavor.
- Blue Raspberry: Popular among kids for its bright color and strong sour taste.
Interesting Facts About Sour Candy
- Sour candies often contain acids like citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid to create their tangy flavor.
- The sour taste sensation is a survival mechanism to detect spoiled or unripe food.
- Warheads candies were first created in Taiwan in 1975, which is one of the most sour candy.
- Toxic Waste candy is considered one of the most sour candies available.
- Sour Patch Kids were originally called “Mars Men” when they were first introduced in Canada in the 1970s.
- Sour candy can help to stimulate appetite and increase saliva flow.
- The pH level of some sour candies can be similar to that of battery acid.
- Sour candy consumption can temporarily alter your taste buds, making other foods taste different.
- Extreme sour candies have even been used in science experiments to study the effects of sour flavors on the human body.
- Sour candies are especially popular in Japan, where unique flavors like sour plum are common.
FAQs
Why are sour candies sour?
These sour candies get their tartness from acids such as citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid.
Are sour candies bad for your teeth?
Yes, high sugar and acidified content may result in tooth decay with excessive consumption and poor dental hygiene.
Does sour candy hurt your stomach?
Yes, if one consumes too many of these sour candies because of the high acidic content.
Are there any health benefits for someone who consumes sour candy?
Sour candies elevate one’s mood and produce saliva to clean the mouth area.
What sour candy is the sourest in the world?
It is considered that Warheads and Toxic Waste have held the record for the world’s most sour candies.
Can I at least do sour candy back at home?
Yes, you can do sour candy back at home. All you need is sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, and few ingredients, plus, of course.
Are there sugar-free sour candies?
There are even happened sugar-free versions of sour candy for people who want to avoid sugar.
In which way is sour candy supposed to be stored?
The sour candy is to be stored in a cool, dry place. This will go a long way in preventing it from becoming sticky, along with the loss of sour flavor.
What makes some people adore sour candy, while others detest it?
Everyone is different, and their sensitivity to sourness varies accordingly.
