Homemade NAC gummies: help! They turned out like rubber rocks
Hey all! I've been making my own gummy vitamins for a while, but I tried to make NAC gummies yesterday and they turned out like rubber rocks! I used 1 tbsp gelatin, 1/4 cup water, and 2g NAC powder. I heated it, but it got super thick and lumpy. Any advice? Should I use agar instead? Also, how do you mask that sulfur taste?
Hey, rubber rocks? Sounds like you used too much gelatin or not enough liquid. I've been making gummies for years, and the ratio that works for me is 2 tbsp gelatin to 1 cup juice. Also, NAC is acidic, so it can mess with the gelatin. Try dissolving the NAC in a little warm water first, then add to the gummy mix. And for taste, you can't mask it, just add a strong flavor like cherry or orange. Or just buy the capsules.
Honestly, why use gelatin? It's not vegan or sustainable. Use agar-agar instead. It's plant-based and works better with acidic ingredients. For 1 cup liquid, use 1 tsp agar powder. Bring to a boil, simmer 2 mins, then add your NAC. Also, the sulfur smell is normal. Maybe add a drop of peppermint oil to mask it. And make sure you're not adding too much NAC – 2g might be too much for gummies, try 1g.
I had the same issue when I tried NAC! The taste is just awful. But I found that using a lot of lemon juice and honey helps. Also, if you overcook gelatin, it gets tough. Try low heat and don't boil. And for texture, you might want to add some pureed fruit like strawberries – they help mask the taste and give a smoother texture. But honestly, I gave up on NAC gummies and just take the pills. They're cheap enough.
Thanks for the tips! I'll try agar next time with less NAC and more flavor. I'll let you know how it goes. I might just stick to my regular vitamins and take NAC as a pill. But I'm determined to make it work! 😅