Trolli Gummy Worms

Trolli gummy worms are a popular gummy candy made by Trolli, a division of the Ferrara Candy Company. As an expert in candy and confections, I will provide extensive information on trolli gummy worms including their history, ingredients, nutrition facts, flavors, and more.

A Brief History of Trolli Gummy Worms

Trolli gummy worms have an interesting history. The Trolli brand was founded in 1922 by Mederer GmbH, a German confectionery company. The name “Trolli” comes from the German word “trollen” meaning “to roll.”

In the 1980s, Mederer began producing gummy candies in shapes like worms, frogs, and snakes. These playful shapes and intense fruit flavors made Trolli one of the most popular gummy candy brands in Europe by the 1990s.

In 1993, Ferrara Pan Candy Company, an American company known for brands like Lemonhead and Red Hots, entered a partnership with Mederer to distribute Trolli products in the United States. Trolli gummy worms quickly became a hit with American candy lovers.

Today, Trolli continues to expand its lineup of uniquely-shaped gummy candies. However, the classic trolli gummy worm remains one of the brand’s most iconic and popular treats.

Ingredients in Trolli Gummy Worms

As a candy expert, I’m often asked about the ingredients found in trolli gummy worms. Here is an overview:

• Corn syrup – Thick sweetener that gives gummy worms their chewy texture.
• Sugar – Provides sweetness.
• Gelatin – Gives gummy worms their characteristic gummy texture.
• Fruit juices – Used for flavoring (see flavor list below).
• Fumaric acid – Adds tartness.
• Artificial colors – Dyes gummy worms bright colors.

That covers the main ingredients. Various other natural and artificial flavors are also used. Trolli gummy worms are fat-free and do not contain any major allergens like dairy, nuts, wheat, or eggs. They are not vegetarian or vegan due to the gelatin ingredient.

Now let’s take a look at nutrition information.

Nutrition Facts for Trolli Gummy Worms

Here is the nutrition breakdown for a standard 13-piece serving (40g) of trolli gummy worms:

Nutrient	Amount
Calories	140
Carbohydrates	31g
Sugar	13g
Protein	3g

As you can see, trolli gummy worms are high in sugar and carbohydrates with minimal protein. The sugar content comes from the corn syrup and raw cane sugar.

While not the most nutritious candy choice, enjoying trolli gummy worms in moderation is perfectly fine for an occasional sweet treat. Just be mindful of portion size as the calories and carbs add up quickly.

Flavors of Trolli Gummy Worms

One of the best things about trolli gummy worms is the variety of fun fruity flavors. Here is an overview of some of the most popular Trolli gummy worm flavors:

• Cherry – Tart cherry flavor. These gummy worms are red or green.
• Strawberry – Sweet strawberry flavor. These gummy worms are red.
• Lemon – Tangy lemon flavor. These gummy worms are yellow.
• Orange – Zesty orange flavor. These gummy worms are orange.
• Lime – Tangy lime flavor. These gummy worms are green.
• Grape – Sweet concord grape flavor. These gummy worms are purple.
• Sour Apple – Tart green apple flavor. These gummy worms are green and fizzy.
• Sour Cherry – Extra tart cherry flavor. These gummy worms are red and fizzy.
• Rainbow – Assorted fruit flavors like cherry, lemon, lime, and orange all in one package.

The sour trolli gummy worms tend to be a favorite because of the intense fruit flavors and added fizzy sensation. Trolli also makes neon versions of their gummy worms that glow under UV blacklights for a more dramatic, playful effect.

Unique Characteristics of Trolli Gummy Worms

There are certain qualities that set trolli gummy worms apart from other gummy candies:

• Intense fruit flavors – Trolli gummy worms are known for intense fruity flavors that pop in your mouth compared to more delicate fruit flavors in brands like Haribo.
• Fun shapes and colors – From red cherry to green lime, each Trolli gummy worm flavor has its own signature worm shape and vibrant color.
• Soft, chewy texture – The vegetable-based gelatin gives Trolli gummy worms a pleasingly soft and chewy gel texture without being overly stiff or sticky.
• Whimsical appeal – From the colorful crawling worm shapes to the overflowing bags, Trolli leans into a playful personality perfect for kids and adults who are kids at heart.

These unique qualities make trolli gummy worms a popular choice when consumers want a fruit snack with intense flavors, vibrant colors, and a whimsical personality. Trolli certainly knows how to make candy fun!

Trolli Gummy Worm Trivia & Facts

As a candy expert and fan of trolli gummy worms, here are some interesting facts about this iconic candy:

• Every day, over 100 million Trolli gummy worms are produced around the world.
• Laid end-to-end, the number of Trolli gummy worms produced in a year could wrap around the equator 15 times.
• Originally called “Trollinger Wurm” meaning “Trollinger worms” in German, referring to a type of grape used to make gummy worms.
• For a brief time in the 1980s, Trolli made gummy worms that measured over 3 feet long but discontinued them as they were not shelf-stable.
• Trolli gummy worms come in over 50 fruity flavor varieties around the globe, from mango to cactus fruit.
• In the 1990s, 5-pound bags of Trolli gummy worms were popular at movie theaters and Blockbuster video rental stores in America.
• Trolli makes neon and glow in the dark gummy worm varieties, colored with synthetic dyes and reactive to UV blacklights.

Hope you enjoyed those sweet trolli gummy worms facts! It’s fascinating learning about iconic candies many of us grew up enjoying.

Buying & Storing Trolli Gummy Worms

Trolli gummy worms are widely available at grocery stores, drugstores, convenience stores, wholesale clubs, and online retailers. Here are some tips for buying and storing them:

• Look for Trolli gummy worms sold in single-serve pouches or resealable bags to help maintain freshness after opening.
• If buying bulk bags, only open one bag at a time and reseal tightly to prevent the gummy worms from drying out.
• An unopened bag of Trolli gummy worms has a shelf life of about 9 months at room temperature storage.
• Once opened, store Trolli gummy worms sealed at room temperature to retain texture and prevent moisture loss.
• If gummy worms lose their softness, place bag gently twisted shut in the refrigerator overnight to restore moisture and texture.
• Avoid storage temperatures above 85°F as heat can melt gummy worms into blobs or make them permanently hard.

Proper storage helps retain the signature chewy texture and fruit flavors that make trolli gummy worms an enduring treat!

How to Eat & Enjoy Trolli Gummy Worms

There are lots of fun ways to eat trolli gummy worms beyond just snacking on them straight from the bag! Here are my expert tips as a candy pro:

• Skewer Them – Thread assorted colored gummy worms onto wooden skewers for a playful fruit kabob. Drizzle with melted chocolate or yogurt for dips!
• Get Creative with Mix-ins – Mix gummy worms into trail mixes, ice cream sundaes, or even salads for a sweet crunch.
• Make Eyeballs – Use scissors to snip a gummy worm in half. Press halves over marshmallows or cake balls to make monster eyeballs. Add candy eyeballs for goofy effect!
• Worm Dirt Pudding Cups – Layer gummy worms, chocolate pudding, Oreo crumbs, and gummy worms in cups for an eerie-cute dirt and worms effect.
• Glowing Drinks – Drop neon gummy worms into fruit juices, sodas, or even alcoholic drinks for whimsical glowing colors and flavor. Kids will love it!
• Worm Sand Art – Make colorful sand art in jars by layering gummy worm colors with sand. Looks gorgeous as decor filled with mini neon gummy worms poking out!

The possibilities are endless when playing with your food using trolli gummy worms! And those are just a few ideas to get your creativity flowing.

Health Concerns Around Trolli Gummy Worms

While trolli gummy worms are perfectly safe for most people when enjoyed in moderation, there are some health concerns to consider:

• Choking risk – Like any hard candy, gummy worms can pose a choking risk for young children under 4. Supervise appropriate sized pieces.
• Allergies – Trolli products contain corn, soy, wheat, dairy derivatives, and artificial coloring derived from petroleum. Check labels for allergens.
• Diabetes – The high sugar content can affect diabetes management. Monitor portion sizes carefully.
• Dental health – Sticky textures like gummy worms interact extensively with teeth, increasing cavity risk from lingering sugars. Always brush after eating.

By properly supervising portions and brushing teeth, most people can safely enjoy trolli gummy worms. But those with allergies or medical conditions like diabetes should exercise more caution and discuss first with a doctor.

Fun Facts About Gummy Candy

Beyond just trolli gummy worms, gummy candy itself has some fascinating history and fun facts! For example:

• Gummy candy originated in Germany nearly a century ago when Hans Riegel Sr. began making gummy bears.
• The first gummy worms were created in the 1980s by Trolli, then called Trollinger Wurmer.
• Over 15 billion gummy candies are consumed globally each year – mostly bears, worms, and snakes!
• The largest gummy worm ever was over 10 feet long, weighed over 50 pounds, and contained over 56,000 calories!
• Manufacturers use corn starch printed molds for shaping gummy candy rather than actual worms or bears.
• Gelatin used in gummy candy contains no animal products – it is vegetable or seaweed-based, making gummies vegetarian-friendly.

Hope you enjoyed those super sweet fun facts! Gummy candy clearly holds a special place in the confectionery world and continues growing more popular worldwide each year.

In Conclusion

In this extensive guide, we explored the unique world of trolli gummy worms including their history, ingredients, flavors, nutrition facts, storage needs, health concerns, and fun trivia about gummy candy.

With their bursting fruity flavors, vibrant colors, and signature chewy gel texture, trolli gummy worms have become iconic candies adored by kids and adults alike. Their whimsical worm shapes and overflowing bag designs tap into nostalgia, inspiring creativity and play.

While not the healthiest choice, enjoying gummy worms in moderation remains a popular sweet treat option perfect for snacking, recipe incorporation, or even arts and crafts.

So next time you spot those overflowing bags of Trolli gummy worms on store shelves, appreciate the fascinating candy culture and lore they represent. And feel free to indulge in some sweet wormy goodness the Trolli way!