Ep 4. Mastical Magic

The third season of Food Factory USA continues with the fourth episode named "Magical Magic." This episode takes a deeper look at how some of America's favorite snacks and drinks are made, emphasizing the use of unique machinery. From classic candies to deliciously creamy beverages, this episode has it all.

Viewers are first taken to a production line for one of America's all-time favorite candies- the Jelly Bean. A massive machine is shown pouring out colorful liquid onto a belt, which is then cut and sized into individual beans by another device. The jelly beans are then categorized and packaged using a unique arrangement of specialized machines. One impressive machine capable of packaging 1,000 jelly bean bags per minute is shown in action.

Next up, the show explores the magical world of ice cream. The episode takes a behind-the-scenes look at the making of one of America's classic summer treats - the frozen sandwich. The process is simple yet fascinating with machines that flatten the cookie, add sweet ice cream between the halves, and recook the cookies to freeze the sandwich.

In the same ice cream factory, the show takes us on a different journey - the making of the classic, creamy milkshake. The episode showcases a machine in use that turns liquid milk into soft-custard-like ice cream in just one minute. After this, we are shown the process of stacking the ice cream layers with sweet syrup and wafers, revealing how the satisfying swirls are created.

The episode moves on to an iconic American snack - Twizzlers. We get to see how the 'magic' in the candy is made at the Twizzler plant. First, machines mix several ingredients including flour, sugar, and water, resembling a science project. Then, viewers witness several machines pulling- stretching -and flattening the mix into consistent strips that are later chopped into the signature candy shape that we all know and love. Finally, the candy is neatly organized into plastic packets with weight and quality control checks to ensure perfection.

In the final segment of the episode, we meet up with the production team of Arizona Beverages. The team takes viewers through the manufacturing process of their signature products - on-the-go drinks that are perfect for warmer weather. Machines fill containers with sweet liquid in under two seconds, stemming from a 10,000-gallon tank that holds the beverage. The team then takes viewers through their packaging process, which involves shrink-wrapping. It gives us an idea of how intricate and high-speed machines make these millions of pouches daily.

Overall, the episode brings an exciting blend of candy favorites, icy treats, and refreshing beverages close to home. It is impressive how techniques and machinery in place can cater to our favorite snacks- giving us more reasons to indulge. Magical Magic episode makes viewers appreciate the manufacturing and innovation behind their favorite treats, and how it makes them more accessible to everyone.