JELLYBEANS are a staple snack for those with a sweet tooth. As we reach into a bag of colourful jellybeans, we may pause to ponder what flavours it contains but rarely do we consider what gives these tiny confections their distinct appearance. It just does not seem important compared to more crucial matters, such as how good the candy tastes.
There are also certain questions that you might be better off not knowing the answer to. For example – is it true that the shiny coating of jellybeans is made from bug excretions?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Pandora's box is open and the forbidden knowledge is out! The ingredient that makes jellybeans hard and shiny is none other than shellac, a resin made from the secretions of the female lac bug as it feeds on tree sap.
These secretions – which are not bug poop, mind you – have a variety of different applications. Refined shellac is a natural, non-toxic sealant used in floor polishes, furniture lacquer, inks and electrical insulation, among other things.
The form that is approved for consumption is known as confectioners' glaze and this ingredient is found in a variety of candies aside from jellybeans.
For one, it is responsible for giving certain chocolates a smooth and subtle sheen. It is also occasionally brushed onto fresh fruits and vegetables to give them some extra shine.
Shellac is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to give pill capsules their hard, waterproof case. As it is relatively insoluble in stomach acid, it plays an important role in the delayed-release mechanism of certain medications.
In the case of jellybeans, a shellac coating helps retain the candy's soft insides while keeping it firm and resistant to heat and moisture, extending the product's overall shelf life.
Lac bug secretions have been cultivated by humans for centuries and are simply one of the many insect by-products found in everyday food items. Aside from the squick factor, your candy is perfectly safe for consumption!
Sources:
1. http://www.madehow.com/Volume-4/Shellac.html
2. https://www.allrecipes.com/article/why-are-jelly-beans-so-shiny/
3. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/91129/jelly-bean-day-fact-jelly-beans-are-made-insect-secretions
4. https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/nutrition-you-asked/why-there-shellac-my-chocolate-mints
Pic options:
1. https://www.pexels.com/photo/a-close-up-shot-of-jelly-beans-5867973/
2. https://www.pexels.com/photo/jelly-bean-lot-539447/
3. https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-jelly-beans-on-jar-772278/
4. https://www.pexels.com/photo/multi-colored-oval-shaped-candies-6440811/
