found in auto tires — and polyvinyl acetate —
in adhesives and paints — though some
brands still contain chicle or jelutong, a
natural latex from the Far East. The crude
gum base is first filtered, dried, and then
cooked in water until syrupy. Powdered sugar
and corn syrup are mixed in, then flavorings
and softeners — vegetable oil derivatives that
make the gum easier to chew — and the
material is cooled, kneaded to an even,
smooth texture, cut, rolled thin, and cut again
into strips, and packaged. The final product is
about 60% sugar, 20% corn syrup, and 20%
gum materials. Sugar-free gums are made
using sugar alcohols and intensive sweeteners
(p. 659).
Candy Storage and Spoilage
Because of their generally low water content
and concentrated sugars, which draw moisture
out of living cells, candies are seldom spoiled