Unwrapped Season 1 Episode 18 Lollipops

Unwrapped is a food-based television show that takes the audience behind the scenes of the manufacturing process of our favorite snacks and treats. In season 1 episode 18, the focus is on lollipops. This episode gives us a close-up view of how these beloved candies are made.

The episode opens up with Marc Summers, the host of Unwrapped, introducing the subject matter of the episode. He informs us that lollipops are a multi-billion dollar industry. Then, he takes us to a lollipop factory where the magic happens.

The factory tour starts with an explanation of how lollipop machines work. The bulk of lollipop production is done by machines because the process is speedy and cost-effective. A lollipop machine can make thousands of lollipops in a matter of minutes. We also learn that the outer layer of the lollipop is made of corn syrup, sugar, and flavorings. The machine pours the hot mix onto a belt, which continuously rolls it through a series of rollers to flatten it and create a round shape. The rollers that the lollipop goes through defining how thick the candy will be. The size of the lollipop is also determined at this stage of the process.

From here, the mold is passed to machines that insert sticks into the lollipop before it is rolled up and sent to the next stage of the process. The rolled-up lollipop candy is then cut into the familiar flattened disk shapes or other shapes using cookie-cutters or dies to produce animal-shaped lollipops or more novelty shapes.

As exciting as the manufacturing process is, the show takes a pause from the machine-produced lollipops to highlight the more traditional way of making lollipops, i.e., using the bygone method of handcrafting. Marc Summers visits a small scale business of hand-made lollipops. These Lollipop-makers use interesting flavors, like maple-bacon, chili peppers, sour apple, and caramel macchiato, to name a few. The handcrafted lollipops are made with a small batch of sugar that is melted and boiled to precisely the right temperature. Once the sugar reaches the correct level of heat, it is pulled by hand to incorporate air to make the sugar mixture more pliable. The tightly pulled candy is then stretched and rolled while the lollipop-maker adds flavorings to the mixture and folds it in. Finally, the ball of flavored, tightly stretched sugar has its round circle of candy and stick expertly formed, and ready to be packaged for sale.

Returning to the mass production of lollipops, the show highlights the different types of flavors and colors of lollipops that are available. Lollipop makers can choose from a variety of flavors, including fruit flavors like cherry, orange, lemon, and grape. Additionally, there are sour, sweet, and tangy lollipops available on the market. The lollipop-makers can add vivid colors to their lollipops via food-grade dyes. This helps create a variety of eye-catching lollipops.

As the episode progresses, we also learn about sugar-free and allergy-friendly lollipops. Sugar-free lollipops are made using alternative sweeteners and flavors. Additionally, there are gluten-free and vegan lollipops available for people who have food sensitivities.

Towards the end of the episode, we learn about interesting lollipop designs. Marc Summers visits a candy store that specializes in making intricate and dynamic lollipops. These lollipops have shapes inside of them, like the Statue of Liberty, a scorpion, or a palm tree, among many other designs. These specialty lollipops are made using a mix of the handcrafted and machine production. The base lollipop is typically made by a machine to create a consistent shape and size. Then, the handcrafted element comes in to create the intricate design.

Finally, the show wraps up with a bit of trivia about lollipops. Did you know that there were two men who were credited with inventing the modern lollipop? The first was George Smith, who made lollipops for medicine purposes, and the second was Charles Dickens' character, who was an innocent child who always had a lollipop on hand.

In conclusion, Unwrapped season 1 episode 18, Lollipops, is an informative, interesting, and fun episode. It takes us behind the scenes of the manufacturing process of one of our favorite treats and unveils the different flavors, designs, and types that are available for us to choose from. The episode is perfect for anyone who loves lollipops or who is curious about the candy-making process.