The Alchemist Club 3.0: gum making science experiment

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

gum making science experiment

sorry about the other post but i cant get in to the post to do the science experiments so i am going ot re-do-it
You can find the following supplies at Michael's, Hobby Lobby, you local grocery store or commercial food supplier or on the web (this is my favorite option because they are delivered right to your door):

--gum base pellets**

--corn syrup

--flavoring** - watermelon, grape, strawberry, mint, etc.

--powdered sugar

1) Put 1 Tbsp of gum base pellets in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for about 50 to 60 seconds or until pellets melt. (You might want to use a disposable bowl because it takes an amazing amount of persistence to get the melted gum off.) Stir until smooth and sticky.

2) Add 1 tsp of corn syrup to sticky gum base. Microwave for 15 seconds until easy to stir.

3) Add 3/4 tsp of flavoring. (This measurement is for powdered candy flavoring. You can also use liquid but start out with only a drop or two and add more according to taste. Another GREAT option is powdered kool-aide mix. We did watermelon. Yum!) Add 1 1/2 Tbsps of powdered sugar. Stir until partial blended. Then knead together with your fingers. My daughter had so much fun with this part! As mixture gets too sticky and stuff, add more powdered sugar to make less sticky and a few drops of warm water to make less stiff. Knead until smooth and stiff.

4) Taste. Knead more powder sugar or flavoring in if necessary. Knead lots and lots. The more you knead the chewier the gum will be.

5) Roll gum between hands until you have a long cylinder. Flatten. Cut into small pieces.

6) Put powdered sugar in a bowl and rolls the pieces of gum in the sugar until they are covered.

7) Cut rectangles of tin foil. Place one piece of gum into one piece of tin foil. Wrap and twist ends. Put into airtight container until ready to chew.