Jelly candies, known as gummies or gummy bears, are popular soft and chewy confections made from gelatin or pectin and are especially loved by children worldwide. These colorful, sugary, and flexible treats are known for their unique texture and flavor. However, the production process of gummies is quite different from ordinary candy production. The role of drying and curing rooms is crucial in gummy production.
The production of gummies involves several precise steps. At the beginning of the process, main ingredients such as sugar, glucose syrup, and gelatin/pectin are mixed. This mixture forms the base of the gummy and various additives are added to achieve the desired flavor, color, and acidity levels. The mixture is then poured into molds to shape the gummies.
The molds used for shaping gummies are usually starch-based and can be of various shapes. The gummy mixture is poured into these starch molds, allowing the gummies to take the desired shape. The gummies are then placed in starch trays and transferred to a curing room. This stage determines the final texture and durability of the gummies. The curing room, equipped with dehumidifiers and temperature control devices, provides a controlled humidity and temperature environment, allowing the gummies to slowly firm up and reach the desired consistency. During this process, the gummies lose moisture and release it into the environment, gaining a firmer structure. The drying time varies depending on the amount of gelatin in the gummy, the ambient temperature and humidity conditions, the moisture content of the starch, and the desired characteristics of the final product.
Benefits of Dehumidifiers in Curing Rooms
Product Quality: A stable temperature and humidity level ensure that the product hardens and dries correctly. Using dehumidifiers to maintain a stable humidity level helps keep the consistency, texture, and taste of the product consistent.
Process Control and Production Speed: Process control is crucial for the efficiency and effectiveness of the production process. A stable temperature and humidity level help make the process predictable and sustainable.
Energy Efficiency: Energy use is a significant cost factor in any production process. Maintaining a stable temperature and humidity level allows for more efficient use of energy, reducing operating costs. Using alternative energy sources in the reactivation heater of the dehumidifier during humidity control will increase efficiency. This way, the portion of the air's latent heat is removed from the environment at low energy costs.
Product Safety: In food products, humidity and temperature play an important role in product safety. For example, high humidity levels can provide a suitable environment for the growth of some harmful microorganisms. The growth rate of microorganisms increases exponentially after a certain humidity level. Therefore, accurately controlling temperature and humidity levels helps ensure product safety.
At NKT – Nem Kontrol Teknolojileri, our expert engineering team provides the best dehumidifier solutions to increase the efficiency of gummy curing areas, maintain the integrity of the production process, and offer energy-efficient, high-performance solutions.
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