I was just as surprised as you are. Car wax? In candy? It’s an odd and intriguing fact that a common substance used in the manufacture of automobile care products has found its way into one of our favorite treats: candy. This popular compound is called carnauba wax, and it is responsible for giving cars their glossy finish.
Carnauba wax is made from the leaves of the carnauba palm tree, which grows in Brazil. This natural wax is valued for its exceptional glossy finish on products. In the culinary industry, carnauba wax gives candies and chocolate a smooth and appealing covering.
The Science Behind the Sweet Shine
Carnauba wax has particular qualities that make it extremely useful in candy production. These properties include the following:
Shine: Believe it or not, a shiny sheen on sugary treats increases its marketability. Nobody would want to buy a dull-looking sweet, or would you? Carnauba gives the candy an appealing gloss that draws the consumer’s attention.
Non-stick: Carnauba possesses non-stick properties. When applied on sweets, it keeps them from sticking together during packaging and transportation.
Structure: Candies have a certain structure. The structure’s properties include texture, firmness, and shape, all of which add to the overall candy-consuming experience. Carnauba wax layer, particularly in gummies, helps to maintain its structure (texture and form).
Common Candy and The Use of Carnauba Wax
| Candy | Carnauba Uses |
| Gummy bears | Retains shape and prevents it from sticking together |
| Jelly bean | Provides a glossy finish and prevents them from sticking during packaging and handling |
| Chocolate coatings | Enhances its appearance and texture |
| Mints | Provides a smooth surface and prevents them from sticking together |
| Chocolates with fillings | Ensures a smooth finish and prevents the filling from leaking out |
Fun Facts About Carnauba Wax
Carnauba wax is not just used to create vehicle wax and sweets. It can also be used to create shoe and furniture polishes. Carnauba earned the term “Brazilian wax“ due to its high shine and protective properties.
In addition to polishing surfaces, carnauba is used in pharmaceutical products as a coating agent for pills and tablets. This coating promotes smooth ingestion of the medicine and protects the active ingredients contained in the drug.
Conclusion
Carnauba wax, a common substance used in the manufacture of automobile care products, has found its way into one of our favorite treats: candy. It is valued for giving products a glossy finish.
Carnauba wax has particular qualities that make it extremely useful in candy production, such as its shiny, non-stick and structural properties. Aside from making polishes and candies, carnauba is used as a coating agent in drug making.
