Susan sent me this link to an Instructables page that tells how to make your own gummy Legos. Just imagine – finally a construction material that is good to eat and practical, as well. The author goes through the entire process, from making a special gelatin-based mix to even how to make the mold he used. As he points out, any sort of mold made from food-grade materials, such as the special silicone he used, is acceptable.
I have to admit that I was leery about this at first, since it seems like it would be a difficult thing to do, but the author is very clear and this seems not so bad. It’s not the lost-wax casting method, as perfected by such greats as Auguste Rodin and Frederic Remington, so I have hope of being able to do this myself with little trouble. The only drawback, according to the author, is the expense of the molding material. I looked on the website he suggests but could not find the product he referenced. However, I did find an equivalent here, and it is rather expensive. The good news is that these molds are reusable.
In the end, though, I am not convinced that this process is any easier than just buying some gummy candies at the supermarket, but I suppose if you are really set on making tons of your own custom jelly candies, $20+ per pound of silicone may be worth it. Have you ever tried this? What was your experience?
9:56 am on November 19th, 2008
Carl, only you could link Rodin and brick gummies. I’d say he’s spinning in his grave, but if he’s like most artists he’d probabaly want to make a Thinker gummie! AAAIIIEEE!!!!
2:16 pm on November 19th, 2008
Ok, you’re gonna laugh, but have you ever checked out Haribo’s “Brix”? They’re (wait for it…) sour gummy bricks with a dash of a creamy center. VERY good, and kinda weird-just my style!
Carl, I’ve been wanting to make gummies for years (and now that I have a little man at home, I’d love to make some with him) but I always thought it’s come out kind of weak.
Please let me know if you actually make a batch-cause I’m thinking I could just add some citric acid to make my own gummy sours??
Dentistry be damned!
Jonny
4:13 pm on November 19th, 2008
Hi, Jonny. I haven’t done this, simply due to the cost. To get to a break-even point costwise, you would be up to your waist in these things. I would do something like this if I wanted to make a particular mold for a wedding or other party and could justify the time and cost. That’s the cool thing about being a photographer – I don’t have to do catering at all, even at home! (Actually, I do. Ask my lovely wife where the pots and pans are and it will be quickly revealed that the kitchen is my domain.)
But yeah – a little extra vitamin C would do the trick quite nicely to bring up the sour level.
I’d be concerned about doing this with a young child because of the hot water and the importance of stirring constantly. You might try molding your own chocolates. That’s a bit easier with kids, if a little messier. At least it’s a mess you can eat!
4:32 pm on November 19th, 2008
Oh, yeah – sugar is no more likely to cause cavities than any other fermentable carbohydrate is. Don’t be hating on the sugar, people!