Small, colorful, elastic. The gummy bear is perhaps the most famous candy in the world, sold in billions of pieces annually. But why a bear? Why not a kitten or an elephant? The image of the gummy bear is based on decades of marketing, child psychology, and, of course, gelatin technology. We tell you how the clumsy bear conquered the confectionery world. The Birth of the Gelatin Bear: The History of Haribo In 1922, in the German city of Bonn, confectioner Hans Riegel founded the company Haribo (an abbreviation of Hans Riegel, Bonn). He invented the world's first gummy candy in the shape of a bear — the "Dancing Bear" (Tanzbär). The idea was not accidental: at that time, bears were popular performers at fairs and circuses. Riegel used fruit gelatin (thickener), sugar, and flavorings. The bears were larger than modern ones (about 10 cm) and inexpensive. They could be divided into pieces like real sweet prey. Since then, the bear has become the corporate symbol of Haribo, and the "golden bear" shape (Goldbär) has become the standard. Why a bear, not another animal The answer lies in child psychology and recognition. A bear is a large, kind, slightly clumsy animal. It does not cause fear (like a wolf or a crocodile). The shape with round ears, a round belly, and short legs fits perfectly into round molds. Children like to "decapitate" the bear by biting off the head. This is a harmless aggression that does not harm the psyche. Moreover, a bear is a "plush" character associated with a toy. So, when you buy a gummy bear, you buy a little friend. The Technology of Transforming a Bear into a Sweet Modern gelatin bears (not only Haribo) are made from sugar, glucose syrup, gelatin (or pectin for vegetarians), citric acid, colors, and flavorings. Gelatin gives the characteristic "chewy" texture. The mixture is poured into cornstarch forms (thousands of cells in the shape of bear cubs). Then the starch is removed, the figures are treated with steam, coated with carnauba wax ... Read more