TIC Gums Promotes Confectionery Alternative to Gum Arabic

The ability to closely simulate Gum Arabic performance makes TicaPAN Coating Systems an ideal alternative for producing quality, panned candies and chewing gums.

4/20/2011 --- During the recent 65th Annual PMCA Production Conference in Lancaster, PA, TIC Gums demonstrated its TicaPAN “Crunch Challenge” to those present. Confectioners witnessed first-hand how its TicaPAN product line enables confection producers to make candy or gum with the company’s coating systems. TIC gums promote TicaPAN is an alternative to traditional Gum Arabic for making confections.

The comparison showed how TicaPAN Coating Systems perform as drop-in replacements for Gum Arabic, by sampling candy produced using both ingredients. Few could tell the difference. The ability to closely simulate Gum Arabic performance makes TicaPAN Coating Systems an ideal alternative for producing quality, panned candies and chewing gums.

“Response from confection producers at the show was very enthusiastic,” said Greg Andon, president of TIC Gums. “We know from the reactions at the PMCA that our scientific and manufacturing know-how provides an alternative to Gum Arabic, regardless of why such a substitution is needed.”

TIC Gums offers two, patent-pending TicaPAN Coating Systems. TicaPAN Quick Crunch and TicaPAN 311 are both binders for sugar and alcohol syrups used in confection coating and panning. TicaPAN Quick Crunch offers comparable binding and viscosity properties to Gum Arabic, yet dries faster and lends a crunchier texture to the finished shell.

TicaPAN 311 has comparable crystallization, binding, and drying properties to Gum Arabic, and imparts similar strength to the shell coating.”

“Crunchiness is an important attribute in creating quality panned candy and chewing gums,” Andon explained. “It appeals to two senses – sound and touch – that have a direct impact on the pleasure consumers receive when sampling these confections and the quality they attribute to the product.”

Gum Arabic (also known as gum acacia) has historically been the primary hydrocolloid used in panned candy and chewing gum applications but pricing and supply are prone to fluctuation due to environmental factors and political instability in African growing regions. TicaPAN Coating Systems provide confectioners with a reliable, cost-effective ingredient produced using raw materials grown, manufactured and shipped from the U.S. This addresses product availability and cost concerns while effectively simulating and sometimes even improving on gum Arabic performance, he said.

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