A starting single-head gumball machine can run anywhere from $100 over a thousand based on its capacity, looks, and durability. Assuming a profit of about 22 cents per gumball, at least 500 gumballs are needed to pay off the cheapest machine. So yes, gumball machines are almost always profitable; it is just a matter of…
Got some candy floss leftover and stuck in your cotton candy machine? The best way to clean a cotton candy machine is to soak detachable parts in hot water, then wipe down individual parts. First, run the machine for 30 seconds to 1 minute. Then turn off the machine, unplug it, and disassemble the parts.…
Ever left some gummy bears out, only to find them hardened and dry? Don’t toss them yet, you might be able to restore their chewy goodness! Microwave in 5-10 second intervals to soften hardened gummy candies. It can also help to add a drop of water to each piece of candy. Whether the gummies are…
Chocolate that has not been stored in proper conditions will usually end up with a white, chalky surface that looks similar to mold. Chocolate that has been stored above 80 degrees Fahrenheit or in a place where there is a lot of moisture can develop whitish streaks called “bloom.” There are two forms of chocolate…
Making hard candy is a really fun activity to do with your friends and family. It’s also a good way to get them hooked on something that they may not be interested in! However, cooking hard candy can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing. Without the right techniques, your boiling sugar may…
It’s not uncommon for people to have leftover caramel after making a homemade batch. If you are left with hardened, dark caramel, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to use the rest up. For example, you can use the leftover caramel as a topping on cupcakes. If you want something that’s a little more…
The key to a well-cooked tapioca pearl is proper cooking and soaking of the pearls in syrup after. Too long or too short of a boil/soak will negatively impact the tapioca pearls’ texture and flavor. While most manufacturers include cooking directions along with the pearls, there are some key visual signs of a perfectly cooked…
I never had an allowance in school so I had to come up with creative ways to get a little bit of cash for the extra field trip or anything I wanted to buy. Most entry-level jobs for high-schoolers are a real pain in the you-know-what. Especially ever since the pandemic, retail workers are putting…
Caramel is a delicious treat that can be used in all sorts of desserts, including as a topping for ice cream. The key to making the perfect caramel is using the right pan. This article will go over some tips on how to find an appropriate pan so you can make your own batch of…
What is chocolate seeding or seed chocolate? Chocolate seeding is a method of tempering chocolate using chunks of already tempered chocolate (seed chocolate) in order to induce a similar cocoa butter crystallization. Essentially, the seed chocolate acts as a magnet, attracting the same crystallized structure as the tempered seed chocolate. By using chocolate seeding, tempering…
Looking for a fun way to spruce up a friendly gathering? Alcohol-infused gummy worms are a sure way to bring some excitement to a potluck. While they may look innocent at first sight, one whiff of these gummies will spark some interest! Make sure to keep the gummy worms away from unsuspecting children, even though…
There are 7 stages to cooking sugar with different textures for each: thread, soft ball, firm ball, hard ball, soft crack, hard crack, and caramel. Here are some ballpark temperature ranges for each stage of sugar cooking using the cold water test along with typical appearances and textures: Stage Temperature Description Example Thread 230°F –…
Snack time at the office just got a major upgrade! In the world of workplace wonders, snack dispensers are the unsung heroes of the breakroom, ready to revolutionize the munching experience. The different types of snack dispensers all possess different features that should be considered. To help you make a choice, here is a detailed…
You might be wondering “Why does cotton candy melt?” Cotton candy does not actually melt; it dissolves with humidity in the air. It does not melt in your mouth either; cotton candy dissolves in saliva inside the mouth. Cotton candy “melts” in humid temperatures because of its hygroscopic properties, meaning it readily absorbs moisture. What…
It can be irresistibly hard not to reach out for another piece of the sweet, bursting flavorful candy as they are known to satisfy people of any age. They come in different forms and flavors, and nobody can blame one for getting a sweet tooth because of it. But these little pleasures can turn out…
Just about everyone has had cotton candy at some point in their life. Cotton candy is often a staple of carnivals and fairs, but it can also be found at other places like amusement parks or even movie theaters! Then you must know there are a lot of cotton candy-flavored goods made from artificial flavoring.…
Pinatas are a great way to celebrate any occasion! It’s best not to fill the pinata with just one type of candy. What best suits your needs will depend on what you want the pinata stuffing to look like, or if it is for a specific event. Pinata stuffers can come in different themes, which…
What are Yogos? For those that need an introduction, Yogos are one of the world’s many lost treasures. Bite-sized balls of sweet, fruity goodness that are covered in a hard yogurt coating. If you had a bag of these in school, you were cool. Those who remember eating Yogos might remember some variations such as…
It is hard to find somebody who does not love candy. After all, who could resist the spicy, sweet, tanginess of chamoy Gushers? When it comes to starting a home candy business by selling local or online, the hardest part is always getting the first few customers. But trust me, it is satisfying (who could…
From regular table sugar to fruity Jolly Ranchers, the possibilities are endless! However, there are also certain types of candies to avoid using for making cotton candy. I hope you have a cotton candy machine ready to try out all these different flavors of cotton candy. Why should I use floss sugar to make cotton…