The Untold Truth Of Popping Candy

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When it comes to strange and exciting candy, perhaps none were as different or as innovative as Pop Rocks. Kids across the U.S. and the world would be wide-eyed with amazement as the sugary rocks fizzed and crackled on their tongues in an explosion of loud pops. The history of not only Pop Rocks, but the story of popping candy's evolution over the years, is one that captures the imagination. It involves a science experiment, an urban legend or two, and a reinvention by the culinary world, as well as popping candy companies leading the way in Spain and Turkey (via Austin Chronicle).

Pop Rocks was invented by accident in the '50s by a chemist at General Foods who was trying to create an instant carbonated soda. Six patents later, and Pop Rocks was officially launched in the '70s, along with a bubble-gum that popped called Increda Bubble. Called by one book "America's Revolutionary Candy", Pop Rocks may be the start, but it's not the end of the popping candy tale, which traverses the globe reaching into the kitchens of some of the world's most renowned chefs to being a favorite candy for kids and young-at-heart adults to this day. There's a lot to unpack when it comes to the untold truth of popping candy and for what was once a simple candy in a foil pack, with brightly colored, zany designs, the concept has really transformed, while still offering kids that magical fizzing feeling.  

Part of the appeal of popping candy for kids may well have been the perceived danger of eating this explosive candy which undoubtedly came from myths that arose around the product. One of these debunked stories is that consuming Pop Rocks and soda will make your stomach explode, which it will not. The fact that there are various popping candy and soda experiments on YouTube demonstrates just how much this tale has passed down through generations since it was first told decades ago. 

The urban legend was connected to a character in a Life Cereal commercial called Mikey, whom it was said had passed away after eating the candy with a soda. Where this idea came from is not clear, but what was certain is that child actor John Gilchrist was very much alive and after the advert aired in the late '70s, he would go on to star in another advertising campaign for the cereal brand as an adult. However, while young Mikey may have been safe, some parents were scared that the popping candy could harm their children, and an FDA Pop Rocks helpline was set up to assure parents that their kids wouldn't choke on the candy. However, a Thrillist feature does point out that the process of making the popping candy was dangerous, involving molten sugar and the sheer amount of pressure, and workers wore protective gear.

Renowned British chef and culinary innovator, Heston Blumenthal is renowned for his interesting dishes along with his use of quirky ingredients and scientific techniques, in a style of cooking that is called molecular cuisine or molecular gastronomy which focuses on the science behind ingredients and their interactions. The head of The Fat Duck Group, and the three Michelin star The Fat Duck restaurant in England, it is perhaps little surprise that the kitchen maverick has also experimented with popping candy too. Waitrose supermarket stocked his chocolate and passion fruit cake with popping candy with the chef posting a recipe on his website on how to make the dessert with its explosive popping candy layer inside. The chefing wizard even has his own Heston brand of popping candy for sweet treats. 

Meanwhile, an article in Big Hospitality notes that since the famous chef's use of the candy, other restaurants have also included it in their dishes, such as a pomegranate popping candy sorbet on the menu at the British chain of Italian restaurants, Zizzi. There is even a burger with popping candy that was served up at U.K. restaurant Revolution, suitably called the Hell Fire Fizz Bomb. Spanish chef and restaurateur, Ferran Adria, of the once open El Bulli, which was voted the best restaurant in the world many times has not only played around with popping candy in the kitchen but created his own line of Sparkys popping sugar designed for cooks. 

While a classic margarita may have a salty rim, there are many cocktails and mocktails that have a sugary embellishment. However, you can really add a spark to a party drink by using popping candy around the rim of the glass. The popping candy is stuck to the edge of the glass by dipping it upside down into some syrup before dipping the rim into the candy. It seems there's no end to how popping candy can be used in interesting ways. 

In one YouTube video, posted by Kubarz, a cosmopolitan cocktail is given a twist by being made with fairy floss and some popping candy sprinkled into the liquid. One article suggests dampening the rim of a glass with lemon juice, or using a small amount of caramel instead if the popping candy that is added clumps together.  Kitchen Alchemy from Modernist Pantry suggests sprinkling some Culinary Crystals into a drink just as it's served at a dinner party as a fun experience for guests and is certainly a way to get a social event into the swing, with some laughter and excitement. It's a perfect way to inspire a feeling of celebration too, and bring a sparkle to any occasion and get everyone talking as they sip their fizzing drinks.

There's no end of possibility for popping candy in sweet culinary creations, whether the gourmet variety or retro-style. Beyond a celebrity chef and chocolate manufacturers adding some sparkle into recipes, there are lots of different dessert ideas using popping candy that have popped up online. These include a creme brulee served with a strawberry sorbet and the sugary crystals on top as well as a crackling topping on candy. These little rocks of sugary fizz have been added to ice cream, with one variety being a cotton-candy flavored ice cream with popping candy and topped with marshmallows and more. 

Other ideas include brownies with popping candy. There really are so many ways that this candy can be turned into a versatile ingredient that adds an element of fun and surprise to many sweet dishes with a fizzing sensation. In fact, the largest manufacturer of its own patented popping candy, distributed to big companies as an ingredient is Hleks, based in Turkey. The candy is supplied to a variety of companies involved in making ice cream, chocolate, and cereal. It was two friends, studying in the U.K. in the '70s, who came up with a new way of making popping candy and patented their ideas in 1998 before creating a distribution network of more than 70 countries. The company makes Shoogy Boon, a cereal coated in chocolate with popping candy. They also make Surprise Dip, a lollipop with popping candy.