The lollipop as a type of candy comes hoisted on a piece of stick that can either be edible or plastic. Since this piece of confectionery made its way into the mainstream market, it has managed to pull in a strong following among both the young and the old. Conventional lollipops were basically a candy and stick affair, but the emergence of many manufacturers in the Malaysian market has now revolutionized that. Today, these types of sweets come in many sophisticated forms and boast a wide array of flavors, colors, designs and sizes.

But there is a softer, mysterious and incredibly amazing side to these candies on stick, which is essentially what we are delving into right now. Let’s dig in.

1. There are hundreds of designs and flavors

You might get so used to your favorite candy stick that you get to thinking it is the best, tastiest and most spectacular out there. Well, that is not exactly true. According to nutritionists, there are literally hundreds of lollipops brands and flavors out there. All appeal to different people and are based upon very unique ingredients. Malaysia alone boasts tens upon tens of brands of the delicacy in its wholesale shops and retail stores.

2. The world’s largest lollipop was as tall as a giraffe

That is right. In 2002, lollipop lovers woke up to the fascination of a 15 feet behemoth of a lollipop that was made to showcase just how popular and iconic the confectionery is. The making of this candy took weeks and when pictures emerged on the internet, everybody picked up the vibe. Interestingly, this candy was even more intimidating in weight. According to reports, it weighed more than 20 grown tigers and needed electricity to port around. Hard to see how that could be done, but it actually did happen.

3. Lollipops have spawned a culture

When they could not suck on it, they have been living off it. These candies have made the world stand up and take notice in more ways than one. Currently, there are dozens of companies and entities going by the candy’s name. Movies have been made and songs have been released. Brands have grown simply because they imbibed that name. You will find it interesting that last year, Google released a version of its mobile operating system, and the name was, you guessed right, Lollipop.

4. Lollipops have been around for at least a hundred years

Historians speculate that these candies have been making waves for as long as everyone has been around. These assertions are backed by documents that show that this type of candy was first made in the city of Connecticut. The man responsible for the invention called the candy lollipop, after the name of his favorite horse, who went by the moniker Lolly Pop. Production huffed and strained for the next decade, but the very first commercial lollipops were eventually rolled out in early 1920’s.

5. The first lollipop machine was really slow

Rumor has it that when the production of lollipops started out, there was a real scarcity of effective technologies. Eventually, scientists and engineers found that they could rig together a device that would produce the grand sum of 40 pieces in a run. Back then, this was a major scientific coup, but not today. In the modern scenario, there are machines that churn out lollipops by the thousands in a second. These devices use the most sophisticated technologies there are. Engineers use computer models to determine the size of each piece and they seek to fit as many designs as possible in the same production line.

Lollipops were initially considered a major hit in confectionery circles, but starting out was difficult because they were seen as a product for the kids. However, these perceptions were soon overrun by the increasing popularity and design in the types rolled out by manufacturers. Currently, the product is a big yes for people across all ages. Malaysia has many producers of lollipops and all have unique designs and distinct flavors meant to appeal to different tastes and preferences. Central Sweets is one of those manufacturers and is known for the variety, sophistication and flavors of their candies. The company’s products have won a huge following in the country and abroad, with diverse offerings available at http://www.centralsweets28.com.my/

Lollipops come in different flavors, from Orange, Strawberry, and Pineapple to Grape, and are manufactured from a wide range of ingredients. These ingredients include water, corn syrup, food coloring, peppermint, honey, salt, butter, sugar and fruit extracts. Lollipops and candy are liked by children and adults because of their good flavors and sweetness, while some people like them as way of kicking cocaine addiction. They are usually used to satisfy sugar cravings. Many people also consider them to make great gifts and for sharing in parties due to their simple nature and low-cost.

Good manufacturing process

Lollipops are not difficult to make although experience is necessary. The process involves cooking the sugar-corn syrup solution to high concentration. The mixture contains 45% of corn syrup. The flavors and colors have been added already into this mixture. The super saturation is achieved at about 310ºF of temperature and then the solution is poured into molds of the desired shape and size. At high temperatures, the solution is plastic or malleable and will assume the shape of the mold once poured in. It is then left to cool. The holding stick is also inserted before the material cools down. Some manufacturers use wooden sticks while others employ skewers instead. Paper sticks are also employed; these are made from tightly wrapped, bright white paper on which a fine wax coating has been laid. The paper is also bleached first.

In factory manufacturing of lollipop candy, a number of quality control processes and procedures are followed to make sure the product is clean. This includes checking of samples to ensure the material used meets the desired quality and ensuring that the equipment’s are clean. Each piece is also wrapped safely to protect from exposure to reagents and contaminants. Lollipops come in variety of shapes including flat and balls.

Although production of lollipops at home is easy and fast, it is quickly achieved with special equipment at the factory. Factory environment also favors massive production of these products. In addition, specialists who manufacture lollipops and candy are able to manage at low prices since they produce in large quantities; with adequate experience, the right equipment and knowledge, it is possible to make a piece of good hardness such that will be chewed for some considerable length of time and which does not just melt away in warm weather.

For producers of lollipop, candies and sweets, achieving the best quality requires attaining the maximum temperature and component mixtures as needed. Variations can cause problems. Monitoring of the temperature is best done at factory environments than home. Handling of the hot equipment and solutions is another factor worth considering when producing lollipop candies, and this is a bit difficult in home production environments. Besides, it exposes the maker and other house users to fire accidents and those associated with burns. Factory production environments are the best to avoid these since over time, the companies have learned the best equipment’s to handle these solutions safely, usually have tested and proved safety procedures, and operators have learned through experience what works.

Besides, factories are cautious of consumers’ health and require licensing by government bodies to ensure that they produce sweets, candies and lollipops in line with acceptable health procedures and guidelines to safeguard consumers.

Lollipops and candy for personal use and parties

A few pieces of candy are advisable to adults while taking on a project. In addition, it has already been proved that chewing gum can improve mood and reduce stress. It is associated with the increase of serotonin levels and can lead to increased mental focus and blocking pain. Thus, the chewy stick range of candy is very helpful in this regard. This can be done in the office when carrying out a task or when relaxing during an outing. For the lovers of chocolate toffee candy, chocolate is now a known antioxidant. It can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of attack by cardiovascular illnesses and prevent decline in cognition. These benefits are associated to the active phenolic compounds present in cocoa.

Due to their decorative nature, creative and innovative shape, lollipops are used in parties such as birthdays or in holiday celebrations. Manufacturers use different types of colors to suit variety of preferences- e.g. red, purple, orange and pink. Other flavorings employed in manufacture of lollipop candy include rose, cinnamon, tangerine and lavender. Lollipops can also be chewed conveniently at any place.

Candy, also known as sweets or lollies feature sugar as the principal ingredient. Sugar candies include soft chewy candies, taffy, hard candies and other candies whose main ingredient is also sugar.

Lollipops, also called suckers, are fundamentally hard candies with a small stick of some sort. The stick wrapped with white paper act as a handle. There are small lollipops with fruits and flavors, slightly larger lollipops with chocolates chewy center, lollipops with gum center and very large suckers that are usually found at carnivals and circuses. Whichever size the lollipop is, they are all made principally of sugar, flavorings, syrup and water. Sugar and corn syrup are placed in a pre-cooker and a cooking process begins. An electric stove or gas may be used for this process. The mixture is then transferred to another cooker under a vacuum to remove moisture and for the heating process. A thermometer is then used to regulate the temperature of the cooker.

The temperature normally used is 154oC referred to as hard crack temperature. When the solution is hot enough, it is placed on malleable plastics which are purchased in varieties of shapes. When the concoction cools, it tends to take the shape of the mold plastic, becoming “glass-like’’ since it can be broken or cracked into pieces like glass. Varieties of lollipop molds have been developed and are readily available in the market. To fit the desires of some individuals, colorings and flavorings can be added before the sugar-corn syrup solution is poured into the mold. These flavors are in liquid form and have been measured before being added to the candy batch. Citrus or malic is important in flavoring process. Citrus acid intensifies the citrus-based flavored lollipops and reduces the excessive sweetness as well. On other hand, malic acid is used to develop the flavor of non-citrus flavors.

Ingredients

Some of the ingredients used to manufacture lollipops vary according to manufacturers. The ingredients used in a plain lollipop with no center include: citric acid, flavorings, water, malic, sugar and corn syrup. The sticks used as handles are fundamentally made using tightly-wrapped white paper that is usually bleached and covered with a sufficient layer of wax. One wrapper varies from the other in terms of style. Some are printed waxed paper and others are clear cellophane.

Production

In general, lollipops are made from sugar and corn syrup. Almost all manufacturers produce or manufacture lollipops in enormous quantities and therefore, all the raw materials are brought into the factory in bulky amounts. Dry sugar is brought to the plant in a huge train rail car. The sugar is then removed from the huge car by use of clean hot water. On other hand, corn candy is brought to the plant in heated tanker trucks. The car that brings the sugar into the plant is attached to the liquidator where the sugar drops into water and dissolves. This process takes a long time. It approximately takes nine hours to melt 81,650kgs of sugar. When the sugar has dissolved into the hot water, it is transferred to the pre-cooker. The concoction with flavor and color added is then mixed well using two gigantic arms that push the mixture around and lift it up, imitating human kneading. The mixing process distributes flavor and color, reduces the temperature and eliminates air bubbles created from cooking and mixing.

Human effort is required to feel the candy batch to make sure it is at the right consistency and temperature for the next step to follow. The candy is now ready to form a lollipop. The now cool candy is sent through cones and sizing wheels that reduces the rope size. The candy rope is then brought to the rolling machine which transforms it into spherical shape. A paper stick is then inserted. The lollipops are cooled by exposure to air. After cooling, they move through a conveyor belt and are brought into a wrapping machine where the lollipops are wrapped tightly. The manufacturing floor has quality control laboratories where sugar levels, flavors and colors, malleability, moisture content and weight are checked.

Just like lollipops, ordinary sweets are made by dissolving sugar in water or milk. Candy comes in a range of textures, from brittle and hard, to soft and chewy. The texture basically depends on ingredients used and the temperature at which the candy is processed. Sweets are manufactured almost the same way as lollipops. Unlike other sweets, chewy candy is made from slightly different ingredients. It is composed of gelatin, colors and flavors and sweeteners. It can be molded into different shapes due to its texture. Gelatin is the ingredient responsible for the unique character of chewy candy.