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Sour Punch Straws are sour candy made by American Licorice Company. The main ingredients in Sour Punch Straws are sugar, corn syrup, citric acid, malic acid, sodium citrate, artificial flavors, and artificial colors.
Sour Punch Straws are a popular sour candy produced by American Licorice Company. They come in a variety of bright colors and flavors, including strawberry, grape, green apple, and blue raspberry. With their intense sour taste and fun straw shapes, Sour Punch Straws have been a favorite candy for kids and adults alike since they were first introduced in the 1990s.
But what exactly are the tangy and chewy Sour Punch Straws made out of? Knowing the ingredients can help when checking labels for food allergies or simply satisfying curiosity about what gives these candies their signature puckering sourness.
Main Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Sour Punch Straws are as follows:
- Sugar
- Corn syrup
- Citric acid
- Malic acid
- Sodium citrate
- Artificial flavors
- Artificial colors
Let’s look at each of these key ingredients in more detail:
Sugar
Sugar is the main ingredient that gives Sour Punch Straws their sweetness. The sugar used is likely high fructose corn syrup, which is commonly used in candies and other processed foods as a sweetener and thickening agent.
Corn Syrup
Corn syrup is another form of added sugar that helps provide sweetness and texture to the chewy straw candies. The viscous syrup adds moisture and binding properties.
Citric Acid
Citric acid is one of the most important ingredients that gives Sour Punch Straws their signature sour taste. This natural acid has a tart, citrusy flavor that activates taste buds. Along with malic acid, citric acid gives each Sour Punch Straw an intense sour punch.
Malic Acid
Malic acid is another acid that adds to the sour flavor. It naturally occurs in fruits like apples and has a similar tart taste.
Sodium Citrate
Sodium citrate helps regulate the acidity levels in the chewy candy. It balances and extends the sour flavor so it doesn’t overwhelm the sweetness.
Artificial Flavors
Artificial flavors give each Sour Punch Straw its fruit-like taste. While the flavors sound like they are strawberry, grape, apple, or blue raspberry, they are likely chemically formulated rather than from natural fruit essences.
Artificial Colors
The bright blue, red, green, and other colors of Sour Punch Straws also come from artificial coloring agents. This helps distinguish all the different flavor varieties.
Other Minor Ingredients
In addition to the main ingredients listed, Sour Punch Straws also contain smaller amounts of other additives such as:
- Cornstarch
- Palm oil
- Soy lecithin
- Red 40
- Blue 1
- Yellow 5
- Yellow 6
Cornstarch helps give the chewy texture, palm oil is added fat for mouthfeel, soy lecithin emulsifies and binds the ingredients, and the numbered dyes provide more vibrant colors.
Nutritional Profile
Now let’s look at the basic nutritional profile of Sour Punch Straws:
| Nutrition Facts | Per 1 straw (8g) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 30 |
| Total Fat | 0g |
| Sodium | 10mg |
| Total Carbs | 8g |
| Sugars | 6g |
As you can see, a single Sour Punch Straw contains 30 calories, with all the calories coming from carbohydrates in the form of sugars. There is minimal fat, protein, or sodium. The high sugar content gives Sour Punch Straws their sweet-and-sour candy flavor.
How Sour Punch Straws Are Made
Now that we know what the ingredients are, let’s look at how Sour Punch Straws are made and manufactured:
- The sugar and corn syrup are first combined and cooked.
- Citric acid, malic acid, sodium citrate, flavors, and colors are then added while continuing to heat and mix the solution.
- The mixture is poured into long straw-shaped molds and allowed to cool and set.
- Once hardened, the straws are removed from the molds.
- The straws are coated with a layer of fine sour sugar.
- They are then packaged into the iconic Sour Punch Straw boxes and bags.
The cooking and cooling process allows the sugars to crystallize giving Sour Punch Straws their soft, chewy texture. And the sour sugar coating provides an extra sour burst with every bite!
History of Sour Punch Straws
Sour Punch Straws first appeared in stores in 1994 after being developed by the American Licorice Company. The American Licorice Company, founded in 1914, has been manufacturing candy for over 100 years. They debuted Sour Punch Straws as a spin-off of their original Sour Punch fruit chews that were introduced in the 1970s.
The unique straw shape and intense sour flavor made Sour Punch Straws a big hit. Over the next decades, Sour Punch Straws became popular around the world and came in an ever-expanding array of flavors and varieties.
New versions included Sour Punch Twisty Straws with two flavor combinations twisted together, Giant Sour Punch Straws of extra long lengths, and seasonal flavors like mangosteen and kiwi strawberry. However, the original Sour Punch Straws remain one of the brand’s most iconic candy creations.
Fun Facts About Sour Punch Straws
- Sour Punch Straws originally only came in 4 flavors – cherry, apple, grape, and strawberry.
- Over 20 fruity flavors exist now like tangerine, banana berry, mango, and lemon.
- The straw shapes are meant to be reminiscent of drinking straws.
- Each straw is approximately 5 inches long.
- Sour Punch Straws have a tangy sour sugar coating on the outside.
- The Sour Punch Straws mascot is named Big Mouth Billy Bass.
- You can bend and shape the straws into letters or knots.
- Mini straw versions called Sour Punchies also exist.
Where to Buy Sour Punch Straws
Sour Punch Straws can be found at most major candy and grocery stores in the candy aisle. They come in small boxes or larger bags containing multiple servings of the straws.
Some places you can buy Sour Punch Straws include:
- Walmart
- Target
- Amazon
- Gas stations and convenience stores
- Dollar stores
- Vending machines
- Movie theaters
- Amusement parks
Sour Punch Straws are produced by American Licorice Company which distributes them to retailers around the country. So keep an eye out for them next time you’re shopping for candy!
Why People Love Sour Punch Straws
There are several reasons why Sour Punch Straws have been a beloved candy treat for decades:
- Unique texture – The chewy, stretchy texture sets them apart from hard or gummy candies.
- Intense sour flavor – The tartness from citric and malic acid gives them an extreme sourness that puckers your mouth.
- Sweet and sour combo – The sour coating balances with the sweet chewiness of the straw for the perfect candy harmony.
- Fun colors and shapes – The bright colors and straw designs add novelty and excitement.
- Nostalgic appeal – They remind many adults of favorite childhood candies.
- Variety of flavors – There’s a fruity flavor to suit all taste buds.
- Movie theater favorite – Sour candies like these pair perfectly when watching a film.
With their one-of-a-kind taste and texture combo, Sour Punch Straws appeal to both kids with developing palates and adults looking to relive youthful candy memories. The balance of sugar and acid really wakes up your taste buds and keeps you coming back straw after straw.
Nutrition Considerations
Like most candies, Sour Punch Straws are considered a sugary treat without much nutritional value. Each straw is low in fat, protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. They also contain artificial dyes and flavors.
Here are some things to keep in mind if you enjoy Sour Punch Straws:
- Limit portion sizes due to the high sugar content.
- Avoid giving to young children as the hard texture poses a choking risk.
- Drink water after eating to wash away some of the sugar and acidity.
- Consume as part of an overall balanced diet.
- Diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels carefully.
While fine in moderation, overindulging in Sour Punch Straws, like any candy, can lead to tooth decay, weight gain, and other health effects. Practicing proper dental hygiene and brushing after eating can help reduce risk.
Conclusion
With their sweet-and-sour taste profile, fun colors and shapes, and nostalgic charm, it’s easy to see why Sour Punch Straws have been a go-to candy choice for over 25 years.
Made from a simple combination of sugar, corn syrup, citric and malic acids, sodium citrate, flavors, and dyes, each Sour Punch Straw packs a sour punch that puckers the mouth and keeps candy lovers coming back for more.
Moderating portions and brushing teeth afterwards can help reduce the negative effects of their sugar content. But enjoyed occasionally, Sour Punch Straws provide the perfect sweet-and-sour flavor combo that kids and kids at heart crave.