The core components of Love Hearts
Love Hearts are based on a simple, pressed-tablet formula, similar to some pharmaceuticals. The main ingredients create the sweet, fizzy base, while other additions ensure the texture and appearance are consistent.
Sugars and sweeteners
The primary ingredient is sugar, which provides the sweetness that is central to the candy's appeal. The manufacturing process involves grinding granulated sugar into a fine powder. While some recipes for homemade versions might use confectioner's sugar, the commercial formula relies on a specific blend to achieve the correct consistency for pressing.
Acidity and fizz
To achieve the signature fizzy tang, Swizzels adds an acidity regulator, specifically Malic Acid. This compound is naturally found in many fruits and is responsible for the tart taste in apples and grapes. Another key ingredient for the fizz is Sodium Bicarbonate, more commonly known as baking soda. When these two ingredients interact with saliva, they create a small chemical reaction that produces the effervescent sensation.
Anti-caking and manufacturing agents
Several anti-caking agents are crucial to the production process, preventing the finely powdered sugar mixture from clumping together and ensuring the sweets maintain their shape. These include:
- Stearic Acid: A fatty acid often derived from plant sources for vegan-friendly sweets.
- Magnesium Stearate: A magnesium salt of stearic acid that further aids in keeping the powder free-flowing.
- Magnesium Carbonate: Another anti-caking agent that prevents moisture from causing the product to solidify prematurely.
Modified starch
A modified starch is also used in the mixture. This ingredient can serve various purposes, including acting as a binder to hold the pressed tablet shape together and controlling the rate at which the candy dissolves in the mouth. It also helps prevent the individual candies from sticking to each other during storage.
Natural flavourings and colours
Since 2011, Swizzels has removed all artificial colours from its recipes, relying instead on natural sources. The distinctive pastel shades and fruity flavours come from this carefully selected palette of natural ingredients.
A palette of colours
The vibrant hues are created using natural colourings sourced from plants. A few examples include:
- Anthocyanin: A plant pigment that provides a red, purple, or blue colour, found naturally in fruits like berries.
- Beetroot Red: A red pigment derived from beetroot, commonly used in food colouring.
- Copper Chlorophyllin: A modified form of chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, which gives the sweets a green shade.
- Curcumin: A bright yellow chemical produced by some plants, most notably turmeric.
- Lutein: A yellow-to-orange xanthophyll, often extracted from marigolds.
- Paprika Extract: A red-orange carotenoid pigment from paprika.
The flavour spectrum
The distinct and varied flavours of Love Hearts are achieved through flavourings, which are added to the separate lines of candy dough during production. These can include various fruit flavourings, which are a carefully guarded trade secret of the confectioner.
Love Hearts ingredient variations
It is important to note that while the classic Love Hearts recipe is consistent, other product variations from Swizzels, such as "Squashies Love Hearts" or "Love Hearts Candy Lipsticks," may use different ingredients. Always check the packaging of specific products for an accurate ingredients list. For instance, Squashies contain ingredients like glucose syrup and gelatine, making them non-vegan and different from the original Love Hearts.
Comparison: Classic Love Hearts vs. Squashies Love Hearts
| Feature | Classic Love Hearts | Squashies Love Hearts |
|---|---|---|
| Texture | Hard, chalky, pressed tablet | Soft, squishy, and chewy |
| Key Sweetener | Sugar | Glucose Syrup & Sugar |
| Acidity Regulator | Malic Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate | Citric Acid, Trisodium Citrate |
| Gelling Agent | Modified Starch | Gelatine, Pectin |
| Dietary Status | Suitable for vegans and vegetarians | Not suitable for vegans and vegetarians (contains Gelatine) |
| Notable Additives | Stearic Acid, Magnesium Stearate | Carnaubawax (Glazing Agent) |
| Primary Function | Fizzy, flavoured candy | Chewy, fruity sweet |
The manufacturing process
The production of Love Hearts is a fascinating process that combines precise ingredient mixing with high-pressure pressing. The production starts by milling granulated sugar into a fine powder, which is then divided into separate vats for each colour and flavour. The natural colourings and flavourings are added and mixed thoroughly to ensure consistency. This flavoured and coloured powder is then fed into a high-pressure machine, which compresses it into the famous tablet shape while simultaneously imprinting the message. A final touch of red food dye is used to highlight the message, making it more legible. After highlighting, the individual sweets are randomly mixed and packaged, creating the familiar assortment found in every roll.
Conclusion: More than just sugar and fizz
The simple-looking Love Heart is the result of a carefully crafted recipe and a precise manufacturing process. The ingredients in love hearts are a blend of simple sugars, acidity regulators for that unique fizz, natural colours, and anti-caking agents that are crucial for creating the perfect tablet. Their reformulation to exclude artificial colours and reliance on plant-based stearic acid also makes them a sweet that is suitable for both vegans and vegetarians. The next time you open a roll, you can appreciate the science behind the sweets, which have remained a classic for decades. For more information on Swizzels' products and dietary information, you can visit their official website at https://swizzels.com/.
