A kid puckering his lips with his face surrounded by Warheads candy.

Warheads pack a pucker-inducing punch thanks to four sour-tasting substances called acids.

Illustrations by Magictorch; Aurora Photos/Alamy Stock Photo (Boy); wundervisuals/Getty Images (Lemons); Nataly 

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NGSS: Core Idea: PS1.A

CCSS: Language: 3

TEKS: Science: 3.2, 3.5A, 4.2, 4.5B, 5.2, 5.5C, 6.2; ELA: 3.10, 4.8, 5.8, 6.8

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Extreme Candy

Some sweets are designed to make your tongue tingle, your eyes water, and your mouth burn! Here’s how scientists create the most extreme treats in your Halloween haul.  

October 2019
By Hailee Romain

wundervisuals/Getty Images

Pucker Power

A lot of candies make your mouth pucker. But Warheads are some of the sourest sweets around. The secret to Warheads’ extreme flavor is a mix of substances called acids. 

Warheads’ first sour blast comes from citric acid. This mildly sour acid is found in citrus fruits, like lemons and oranges. It triggers special cells on your tongue, called taste receptors, that detect sour flavors. “Citric acid gets your mouth ready to be tortured with more sour goodness,” says Kerri Harold, a spokesperson for Impact Confections, the maker of Warheads.

A lot of candies make your mouth pucker. But Warheads are some of the sourest sweets around. There’s a secret to Warheads’ extreme flavor. It’s a mix of substances called acids. 

Warheads’ first sour blast comes from citric acid. It’s mildly sour. It’s found in citrus fruits. Those fruits include lemons and oranges. Citric acid triggers special cells on your tongue called taste receptors. They detect sour flavors. “Citric acid gets your mouth ready to be tortured with more sour goodness,” says Kerri Harold. She’s a spokesperson for Impact Confections. It’s the company that makes Warheads.

Measuring Acids

The pH scale measures acidity, or the strength of the acid contained in a substance. Acids and their counterparts, bases, react easily with other substances. Water is neutral—neither an acid nor a base.

The pH scale measures acidity, or the strength of the acid contained in a substance. Acids and their counterparts, bases, react easily with other substances. Water is neutral—neither an acid nor a base.

MidoSemsem/Shutterstock (soap); Shutterstock (all other images)

Think: Where do you think Warheads candies would fit in this scale?

Think: Where do you think Warheads candies would fit in this scale?

Measuring Acids

The pH scale measures acidity, or the strength of the acid contained in a substance. Acids and their counterparts, bases, react easily with other substances. Water is neutral—neither an acid nor a base.

The pH scale measures acidity, or the strength of the acid contained in a substance. Acids and their counterparts, bases, react easily with other substances. Water is neutral—neither an acid nor a base.

MidoSemsem/Shutterstock (soap); Shutterstock (all other images)

Think: Where do you think Warheads candies would fit in this scale?

Think: Where do you think Warheads candies would fit in this scale?

The true jolt in Warheads comes from malic acid. That’s the compound that makes Granny Smith apples taste tart. Warheads also have two other acids: ascorbic acid and fumaric acid. These provide the sour candies’ grand finale.

Your saliva dissolves each acid in Warheads at a different rate. The combination gives the candies their sour taste from beginning to end.

Warheads’ real sourness comes from malic acid. It’s the compound found in Granny Smith apples. It makes the apple taste tart. Warheads have two other acids. They’re called ascorbic and fumaric acid. They give the sour candy its big finish.

Suck on a Warhead. Your spit dissolves each acid at a different rate. That’s why the candies have a sour taste from start to end.

Sirocco/Shutterstock.com (Bubbles); Keith Homan/Alamy Stock Photo (Pop Rocks)

Bursting bubbles of carbon dioxide gas make Pop Rocks go fizz, crackle, and POP!

Crackling Candy

Pour a pack of Pop Rocks into your mouth and the bits of candy start to crackle on your tongue. But how?

All hard candy is made by mixing sugar, corn syrup, water, and flavoring. The mixture is boiled. As the mixture cools, it hardens. Pop Rocks are made the same way—but with one more ingredient. Candy makers add carbon dioxide gas (CO2) to the sugary mix under high pressure. When the candy hardens, tiny bubbles stay trapped inside.

As the candy dissolves in your mouth, the bubbles burst! That causes the popping sensation you feel in your mouth.

Pour a pack of Pop Rocks into your mouth. The candy bits begin to crackle on your tongue. But how?

All hard candy is made from certain ingredients. They include sugar, corn syrup, water, and flavoring. The mixture is boiled. It hardens as it cools. Pop Rocks are made the same way. But they have one more ingredient. It’s carbon dioxide gas (CO2). Candy makers add it to a sugary mix under high pressure. As the candy hardens, tiny bubbles stay trapped inside. 

The bubbles burst when the candy dissolves in your mouth! That causes the popping feeling.

Lukasz Pawel Szczepanski/Shutterstock.com

The heat of Atomic FireBalls comes from substances found in cinnamon and hot peppers.

Can You Take the Heat?

Atomic FireBall candies are famous for their red-hot flavor. To achieve that fiery heat, candy makers use two ingredients that affect your mouth in different ways.

First, the candy delivers a blast of spice. This comes from a chemical called cinnamaldehyde (sihn-uh-MAL-duh-hyde). It’s the same oil that gives cinnamon its flavor. Cinnamaldehyde triggers taste receptors that sense irritating compounds. Raw garlic and horseradish can set off the same receptors.

After the cinnamon flavor comes a deeper heat. That heat comes from capsaicin (kap-SAY-uh-suhn), the compound that makes chili peppers spicy. Capsaicin triggers receptors on your tongue that detect temperatures higher than 43°C (109°F). It tricks your brain into thinking that you’re eating something superhot. Your body may sweat to try to cool down, even though you’re not actually overheating.

Atomic FireBall candies have a famous red-hot flavor. Two ingredients give them their fiery heat. These substances affect your mouth in different ways.

First, the candy delivers a spicy blast. This comes from cinnamaldehyde (sihn-uh-MAL-duh-hyde). It’s the chemical that gives cinnamon its flavor. Cinnamaldehyde triggers taste receptors. They sense irritating compounds. Raw garlic and horseradish can set off the same receptors.

A deeper heat comes after the cinnamon flavor. That heat comes from capsaicin (kap-SAY-uh-suhn). This compound makes chili peppers spicy. Capsaicin also triggers receptors on your tongue. They detect temperatures higher than 43°C (109°F). This tricks your brain. It thinks you’re eating something really hot. Your body may sweat to try to cool down. But you’re not actually burning up.

Illustrations by Magictorch; gresei/Shutterstock.com (Egg); iStockPhoto/Getty Images (Socks, Cheese, Fish); Tsuneo Yamashita/Getty Images (Jellybeans); Tobik/Shutterstock.com (Cheese Slices); xpixel/Shutterstock.com (Dirt); 

Jelly Belly created its dead fish jelly bean flavor by analyzing the stinky smell given off by real dead fish!  

Barf-Worthy Beans

Dead fish, moldy cheese, and stinky socks sound like the contents of a trash can. But they’re actually three flavors in a pack of Jelly Belly’s BeanBoozled jelly beans! In these packs, gross-flavored beans are mixed with yummy beans that look exactly the same. A white bean might taste like coconut or spoiled milk. You won’t know until you eat it!

To create a nasty flavor, scientists place an object—like a stinky sock—in a special machine. The machine heats the object until it gives off its smelly vapors. The device analyzes chemicals in the gases. Scientists experiment with different flavorings until they find a mix of compounds that are similar to those of the target object.

From barf to rotten egg, there are plenty of flavors to pick from, says Jelly Belly spokesperson Irena Miles. Your favorite “just depends on who you are.”

Dead fish, moldy cheese, and stinky socks sound like they belong in a trash can. But they’re actually three Jelly Belly flavors. They’re found in packs of the company’s BeanBoozled jelly beans! These packs don’t just have gross-flavored beans. They also have yummy beans. But the two look exactly the same. A white bean might taste like coconut. Or it might taste like spoiled milk. You won’t know until you eat it!

Here’s how scientists create these nasty flavors. They place an object like a stinky sock in a special machine. The machine heats the object. The object starts giving off smelly vapors. The device measures chemicals in the gases. Scientists experiment with different flavorings. Finally, they find the right mix. They’re similar to those of the target object.

There are plenty of flavors to pick from. There’s everything from barf to rotten egg. Your favorite “just depends on who you are,” says Irena Miles. She’s a spokesperson for Jelly Belly.

How Sour?

Which type of candy is the most acidic? 

Kate Francis

Step 4

Observe

Candy makers add acid to candy to make it taste sour. Scientists use a tool called the pH scale to measure a substance’s acidity, or the strength of the acid it contains. The more acidic a substance, the lower it scores on the pH scale.

Candy makers add acid to candy to make it taste sour. Scientists use a tool called the pH scale. It measures a substance’s acidity. That’s the strength of the acid it contains. The more acidic a substance is, the lower it scores on the pH scale.

Make a Prediction

Which type of candy is the most acidic?

Which type of candy is the most acidic?

Materials

• three types of hard candy, including at least one that’s sour (See Teacher’s Guide for preparation tips.) 
• scale
• 4 paper cups
• marker
• measuring cup
• hot water 
• timer 
• spoon
• pH test paper
• paper and pencil

• three types of hard candy, including at least one that’s sour (See Teacher’s Guide for preparation tips.) 
• scale
• 4 paper cups
• marker
• measuring cup
• hot water 
• timer 
• spoon
• pH test paper
• paper and pencil

Procedure

1. Examine one piece of each type of candy. How does each type feel, smell, and taste? Record your observations, then make a prediction: Which candy is the most acidic?  

2. Use the scale to measure about 8 grams of each type of candy. Place each candy in a different paper cup and use the marker to label it. Label your fourth paper cup “control.”

3. With the help of your teacher, add ½ cup of hot water to each paper cup. Let sit for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon. This lets the candies dissolve.    

4. Dip half of a pH test strip into each cup for 3 seconds. These strips react with different   acid strengths by turning different colors. You can use the color chart that comes with the pH paper to determine how acidic a substance is.

5. Compare each test strip with the color chart. Remember: The lower the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the substance. 

1. Look at one piece of each type of candy. How does each type feel, smell, and taste? Write down your observations. Then make a prediction: Which type of candy is the most acidic?  

2. Use the scale to measure about 8 grams of each type of candy. Place each type of candy in a different paper cup. Use the marker to label the cups. Label your fourth paper cup “control.”

3. With the help of your teacher, add ½ cup of hot water to each paper cup. Let sit for 15 minutes. Stir often with a spoon. This lets the candies dissolve.    

4. Dip half of a pH test strip into each cup. Wait three seconds. These strips react with different   acid strengths by turning different colors. Use the color chart that comes with the pH paper. It will help you figure out how acidic a substance is.

5. Compare each test strip with the color chart. Remember: The lower the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the substance is. 

Results

Which solution had the lowest pH value? Display your results in a data table.

Which candy had the lowest pH value? Show your results in a data table.

Conclusions

1. Which candy solution was the most acidic? Did your prediction match your results?  

2. How did each candy’s taste relate to how acidic it is?

3. Why was it important to test a cup of water without candy?

1. Which candy solution was the most acidic? Did your prediction match your results?  

2. How did each candy’s taste relate to how acidic it is?

3. Why was it important to test a cup of water (the control) without candy?

Take it Further

How does the acidity of the candy solutions compare with the acidity of liquids like vinegar, soda, and lemon juice? Make a prediction, then design an investigation to test it.

How does the acidity of candies compare with that of other liquids? Think about things like vinegar, soda, and lemon juice. Make a prediction. Then design an investigation to test it.

How Sour?

Which type of candy is the most acidic? 

Kate Francis

Step 4

Observe

Candy makers add acid to candy to make it taste sour. Scientists use a tool called the pH scale to measure a substance’s acidity, or the strength of the acid it contains. The more acidic a substance, the lower it scores on the pH scale.

Candy makers add acid to candy to make it taste sour. Scientists use a tool called the pH scale. It measures a substance’s acidity. That’s the strength of the acid it contains. The more acidic a substance is, the lower it scores on the pH scale.

Make a Prediction

Which type of candy is the most acidic?

Which type of candy is the most acidic?

Materials

• three types of hard candy, including at least one that’s sour (See Teacher’s Guide for preparation tips.) 
• scale
• 4 paper cups
• marker
• measuring cup
• hot water 
• timer 
• spoon
• pH test paper
• paper and pencil

• three types of hard candy, including at least one that’s sour (See Teacher’s Guide for preparation tips.) 
• scale
• 4 paper cups
• marker
• measuring cup
• hot water 
• timer 
• spoon
• pH test paper
• paper and pencil

Procedure

1. Examine one piece of each type of candy. How does each type feel, smell, and taste? Record your observations, then make a prediction: Which candy is the most acidic?  

2. Use the scale to measure about 8 grams of each type of candy. Place each candy in a different paper cup and use the marker to label it. Label your fourth paper cup “control.”

3. With the help of your teacher, add ½ cup of hot water to each paper cup. Let sit for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally with a spoon. This lets the candies dissolve.    

4. Dip half of a pH test strip into each cup for 3 seconds. These strips react with different   acid strengths by turning different colors. You can use the color chart that comes with the pH paper to determine how acidic a substance is.

5. Compare each test strip with the color chart. Remember: The lower the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the substance. 

1. Look at one piece of each type of candy. How does each type feel, smell, and taste? Write down your observations. Then make a prediction: Which type of candy is the most acidic?  

2. Use the scale to measure about 8 grams of each type of candy. Place each type of candy in a different paper cup. Use the marker to label the cups. Label your fourth paper cup “control.”

3. With the help of your teacher, add ½ cup of hot water to each paper cup. Let sit for 15 minutes. Stir often with a spoon. This lets the candies dissolve.    

4. Dip half of a pH test strip into each cup. Wait three seconds. These strips react with different   acid strengths by turning different colors. Use the color chart that comes with the pH paper. It will help you figure out how acidic a substance is.

5. Compare each test strip with the color chart. Remember: The lower the number on the pH scale, the more acidic the substance is. 

Results

Which solution had the lowest pH value? Display your results in a data table.

Which candy had the lowest pH value? Show your results in a data table.

Conclusions

1. Which candy solution was the most acidic? Did your prediction match your results?  

2. How did each candy’s taste relate to how acidic it is?

3. Why was it important to test a cup of water without candy?

1. Which candy solution was the most acidic? Did your prediction match your results?  

2. How did each candy’s taste relate to how acidic it is?

3. Why was it important to test a cup of water (the control) without candy?

Take it Further

How does the acidity of the candy solutions compare with the acidity of liquids like vinegar, soda, and lemon juice? Make a prediction, then design an investigation to test it.

How does the acidity of candies compare with that of other liquids? Think about things like vinegar, soda, and lemon juice. Make a prediction. Then design an investigation to test it.

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