Core Ingredients of Hi-Chew
At its heart, the Hi-Chew Fruit Combos mix shares a foundation with many other varieties from the Morinaga brand. These core components are responsible for the candy's signature chewy texture and sweet taste. The primary ingredients are listed first on the packaging, indicating they are present in the highest quantities.
- Glucose Syrup: A sugar-based sweetener that provides the body and bulk of the candy, giving it its fundamental sweetness and texture.
- Sugar: Another primary sweetener, contributing to the candy's flavor profile.
- Hydrogenated Palm Kernel Oil: A fat used to create the candy's creamy, satisfying chewiness and smooth consistency.
- Gelatin: This animal-derived protein is crucial for the unique, gum-like texture of Hi-Chew candies. Because it is often sourced from pork, Hi-Chews are not vegetarian.
Flavor-Specific Ingredients in Hi Chew Fruit Combos
What truly differentiates the Fruit Combos is the addition of ingredients that create the unique tropical flavors found in each piece. The Fruit Combos mix typically includes Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Smoothie, and Piña Colada. The ingredients for these flavors include various concentrated fruit juices and purees.
- Strawberry Lemonade: Features strawberry juice concentrate and is flavored with both natural and artificial flavors.
- Tropical Smoothie: Contains mango puree along with other natural and artificial flavors. Some versions also list pineapple juice concentrate.
- Piña Colada: Made with pineapple and mango juice concentrates to achieve its blend of fruity and creamy notes.
Additives, Emulsifiers, and Coloring
Beyond the basic sugars and fruit juices, several other additives are included to perfect the taste, texture, and appearance of the candy.
- Acids: Malic acid and citric acid are used as acidity regulators to provide the tartness that balances the candy's sweetness and brings out the fruit flavors.
- Emulsifiers: Sucrose fatty acid esters, sorbitan tristearate, and soy lecithin help to combine the fat and water-based ingredients, ensuring a consistent and creamy texture.
- Coloring: Hi-Chew uses a combination of natural colors, such as beta-carotene and vegetable and fruit juice concentrates, to give the candies their vibrant hues.
Hi-Chew Fruit Combos vs. Original Mix: A Comparison
To highlight the differences, here is a comparison of the ingredients found in the Fruit Combos and the Original Mix, which contains flavors like Strawberry, Grape, Green Apple, and Mango.
| Ingredient Category | Hi-Chew Fruit Combos Mix | Hi-Chew Original Mix |
|---|---|---|
| Core Ingredients | Glucose syrup, sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, gelatin | Glucose syrup, sugar, hydrogenated palm kernel oil, gelatin |
| Fruit Concentrates | Strawberry, pineapple, mango juice concentrates | Strawberry, grape, apple juice concentrates |
| Coloring | Beta-carotene, vegetable juice (specific colors vary by flavor) | Spirulina extract, fruit juice concentrate, vegetable juice concentrate |
| Emulsifiers | Sucrose fatty acid esters, sorbitan tristearate | Sucrose fatty acid esters, sorbitan monostearate |
Dietary Considerations and Allergens
It's important for consumers with specific dietary needs or allergies to be aware of certain ingredients. For example, some versions of the Fruit Combos mix may contain soy, an important allergen to note. As with any food product, those with allergies should always check the most current and localized packaging for a definitive list of allergens.
For more detailed nutritional information and ingredients by product variety, the official Hi-Chew website is a helpful resource for consumers.
Conclusion
The ingredients in Hi Chew fruit Combos, while building on a common chewy candy base of glucose syrup, sugar, and hydrogenated palm kernel oil, are distinguished by their specific blend of tropical fruit juice concentrates like strawberry, pineapple, and mango. The inclusion of gelatin makes them unsuitable for vegetarian or vegan diets, but they are recognized as gluten-free. The careful combination of emulsifiers, acids, and natural colors ensures each piece delivers the signature intense, dual-layered fruity flavor experience that Hi-Chew is known for.
