DIY gummies from capsules – total fail, need help!
So I got this bright idea to make my own pre-workout gummies using gelatin and some vitamin C powder I had lying around. First batch came out like rubber bricks that taste like ass. Second batch never set – just sticky goo. I'm using 3 tbsp gelatin per cup of liquid, plus a scoop of powder. Any tips? I'm about to give up and just chug the powder like a man.
Oh man, I feel your pain. Gelatin can be tricky. You might want to try agar agar if you're avoiding animal products, but it sets differently – more brittle. For gelatin, make sure you 'bloom' it in cold water first for 5 mins before heating. Also, are you using a candy thermometer? If you overheat, it won't set properly. And don't dump all the powder in at once, mix it into the liquid before adding gelatin. Good luck!
Dude, I tried this with my sous vide setup and it was a disaster. Gelatin needs precise temps – like 150-160F to dissolve but not boil. I ended up with a gummy blob that clogged my immersion circulator. Never again. Now I just buy the gummies. But if you're set on DIY, maybe get a refractometer to check sugar content? That's what pro candy makers use. Or just use a mold with cornstarch. IDK, good luck.
Science time! Gelatin gels are thermoreversible, meaning they melt when heated and set when cooled. Agar is not – once it sets, it stays set. So if your gelatin batch didn't set, it's likely because you didn't use enough gelatin or you added something acidic (like vitamin C) that hydrolyzes the gelatin. Try increasing gelatin to 4 tbsp per cup and add the vitamin C after the gelatin has dissolved and cooled slightly. Also, let it set in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Patience, my friend.
Thanks for the tips, everyone. I'll try blooming the gelatin and adding the vitamin C later. Fingers crossed. If this batch fails, I'm blaming RhinoRich's science. JK, appreciate the help!