Our wrappers are also about freshness. We use organic honey which has a higher moisture content than table sugar. Honey has approximately 40% fructose, 30% glucose, and 17% water, with the remainder being other sugars, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is largely glucose (the same type of sugar found in your bloodstream), but also undergoes another process that converts some of the glucose molecules in corn syrup to another type of simple sugar. Fructose is sweeter than glucose, which is one of the reasons food manufacturers prefer to use HFCS – they can use less of it, and, like corn syrup, it’s cheaper to use than regular sugar.
Some studies show that high fructose corn syrup increases your appetite and promotes obesity more than regular sugar, it might also contribute to diabetes and inflammation. Still, most sugar confectionery you buy, including hard candies, gummies, jellies, marshmallows, and caramels are made using corn syrup and there are a few reasons for it:
- Abundant. High fructose corn syrup is made from corn, which is typically genetically modified (GMO) and produced in mass quantities.
- Cheap: High fructose corn syrup tastes sweeter when compared to similar sugars, therefore manufacturers need less of it bringing down the costs.
- Shelf-Life: High fructose corn syrup has a longer shelf life when compared to the alternatives. Food and beverage companies don’t have to worry about high-fructose corn syrup expiring quickly.
- It is consistent: For high volumes, you need ingredients that can be manufactured in large quantities, consistently. High fructose corn syrup tastes the same regardless of what you add it to.
Because honey is a naturally occurring sugar, the consistency of natural honey changes when there is a change in temperature/environment. Moreover, inverted sugars such as honey are hygroscopic, meaning they tend to absorb the moisture around them. For this reason, a waterproof coating or wrapper can help prevent moisture from getting in. We wrap our honey lollipops in shrink wrappers to ensure that our lollies not only keep out moisture, but stay as fresh as possible when they get to you. Enjoy!
