Ep 1. Crazy Colors

In the season 3 premiere of Unwrapped, entitled "Crazy Colors," viewers are taken on a wild journey through the world of colorful foods and drinks. The episode explores the science and history behind the vibrant colors found in the food and beverage industry.

Host Marc Summers introduces viewers to a variety of colorful treats, including rainbow-colored marshmallows, multi-colored gummi bears, brightly hued cotton candy and vibrant licorice twists. He also dives into the science behind the hues, explaining the different chemical compounds used to create the various colors we see in our food.

Throughout the episode, Summers visits several factories where these colorful treats are created. At a marshmallow factory, he watches as huge vats of fluffy white marshmallow batter are transformed into a rainbow of bright colors before being cut and packaged.

Next, he visits a gummi bear factory, where he learns that the first gummi bears were actually inspired by a cartoon of a dancing bear in Germany. The factory produces an astonishing 15 million gummi bears each day, each one made from a unique mixture of colors and flavors.

At a candy factory, Summers gets a behind-the-scenes look at how licorice twists are made. He meets the company's "flavor master," who is responsible for creating the perfect flavor blend for each type of licorice. He also explores the different methods used to add color to the licorice, including using beet juice as a natural coloring agent.

Throughout the episode, Summers also highlights the various health concerns surrounding food dyes. He explains that while some food dyes are derived from natural sources like beets and turmeric, many others are made from chemical compounds that have been linked to health issues like hyperactivity in children.

Despite these concerns, the food industry continues to rely heavily on food dyes to create the bright and colorful treats that consumers crave. But as Summers points out, there are increasing efforts to find safer and more natural alternatives to these artificial dyes.

In the end, viewers are left with a newfound appreciation for the colorful foods and drinks that have become a ubiquitous part of our daily lives. From rainbow-colored marshmallows to multi-colored gummi bears, the episode "Crazy Colors" celebrates the science, history and sheer fun of these vibrant treats.