Why are Haribo Gummy Bears Hard? Gummy bears are something that comes down to personal preference. Some people love it when they’re hard, and others can’t stand the stiffness of Haribo gummies.
While it might seem like a pretty straightforward candy. Gummies have a certain aspect about them (gelatin and sugar) that makes it difficult to get a perfect consistency.
Haribo is a well-established company.
They’ve been in the business of making gummy bears for years, and that fact leaves people asking why are Haribo gummy bears hard?
Shouldn’t they have the perfect consistency if they’re manufactured and sold at a professional level with such a high level of standards?
Well, the answer might shock you! Or, you might find that it’s a standard and acceptable answer. Either one.
Why are Haribo Gummy Bears Hard?
Haribo gummy bears are hard because the company allows them to sit before they’re sent out and placed on shelves. When gummies sit around, they lose moisture. Also, the more concentrated the gelatin, the harder the candy. Haribo gummy bears are meant to be harder than other brands.
The Purposeful Hardness of Haribo Gummies
Gummies have a wide spectrum of textures.
They can be incredibly hard or super soft, depending on the manufacturer, the ingredients, and how long they sit on supermarket shelves.
When gelatin is very concentrated, it can get very hard, and this is one of the reasons that Haribo gummies are so hard, even when made fresh.
In addition to gelatin, gummies are allowed to sit and harden up according to manufacturer regulations.
It’s also important to consider the expiration date and how long the gummy bears may have been sitting on the shelf at the supermarket.
There are millions of locations that stock Haribo gummy bears, so it’s only obvious that you’ll receive different levels of stiffness at various times and locations.
However, Haribo is known for the hard texture of its gummies, and they’ve become well-known amongst their fans for a very specific taste and feel.
Haribo gummy bears are one of the most popular gummies on the shelf.
The company itself is a multi-billion dollar business, so it’s safe to say that the hardness of its end product isn’t killing sales.
However, if you really love the taste but you’re not crazy about how hard the gummies are, there are ways to rehydrate them to give them a softer feel with the same taste.
Softening Up Haribo Gummy Bears
Softening up gelatin is all about adding back in the moisture that was lost.
You can’t reverse time, so if they’re close to the expiration date or have been sitting on the shelf for a long time, you might want to toss them in the trash.
However, even very old Haribo gummies will soften up when treated correctly.
Th Haribo Gummy Bears Are Too Hard – Use Warm Water
You can soften your Haribo gummies by placing them in a bowl of warm water.
You shouldn’t use cold water, as gelatin is only soluble in warm water. If you use cold, you won’t see the results that you’re looking for.
You’ll probably end up with harder gummies.
Once you’ve filled your bowl with warm water, dump the gummies in.
Give them a little stir, and then allow them to sit for around 20 minutes or so.
You’ll notice that the gummies begin to expand as they absorb water.
Next, dump them out onto a clean paper towel and let them dry for a few minutes.
Try one, and you’ll notice that your gummies are as good as new, and maybe even better!
Party Gummies
Rehydration is really the only way to add moisture back to your gummies.
Some people prefer to take older gummy bears that are about to expire and throw them into a bowl of room-temperature vodka.
This choice depends on your preference for alcohol.
If you like vodka, this is a great and perfect party or small-gathering snack.
If you don’t drink, warm water is your best bet!
Why are Haribo Gummies so Tough?
The brand Haribo makes their gummies deliberately hard. It is their signature and especially Germans but also people all around the world love them the way they are.
The Reason for Hard Gummy Bears
The main reason for hard gummy bears are:
- Gelatin: Gelatin is a protein that comes from animals. It is animal collagen that makes gummy bears chewy and hard
- The cooking time: The longer you cook gummy bears, the harder they get. Harbon cooks its bears longer than its competitors
- The storage: Haribos are made to stay hard at room temperature. If you store them in the fridge they will get even harder. Warmer temperatures will make them softer
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Haribo gummies hard?
Haribo gummies are hard because they have a high level of concentrated gelatin and go through a process of resting before shipping out. Some might be harder than others, depending on how long they’ve sat on the shelf.
How can I soften my Haribo gummy bears?
You can soften Haribo gummy bears by rehydrating them with warm water or any other warm liquid of choice, ranging from apple juice to alcohol. Remember, gelatin is only soluble in warmth, so don’t use anything cold to try and rehydrate your gummies. You’ll notice that they expand as well!
The Hard Haribo Gummy
There’s no doubt that Haribo gummy bears are one of the best in the gummy line-up.
They taste incredible, and if you hate how hard they are, you can soften them up.
Moisture is the key, but honestly, there’s nothing wrong with loving them just the way they are.