JELLYBEANS are a popular choice for those with a sweet tooth. When we dig into a bag of colourful jellybeans, we may wonder about their flavors, but we seldom think about what gives these tiny confections their distinct appearance. It just doesn’t seem as important as how the candy tastes.
There are also certain questions that we 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 are not bug poop, but rather a natural, non-toxic sealant used in floor polishes, furniture lacquer, inks, and electrical insulation. The approved form for consumption is known as confectioners’ glaze and is found in various candies, including jellybeans.
For one, it gives 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.
It plays an important role in the delayed-release mechanism of certain medications due to its insolubility in stomach acid. 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. Besides 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/
