Kentucky soybean farmers contribute toward popular Halloween treats
Published 8:00 am Monday, October 21, 2024
The Kentucky Soybean Promotion Board is celebrating Halloween’s spooky season with soy, an ingredient they say can be found in many packaged foods, and your favorite Halloween candy is probably on the list.
Whether you prefer a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or a fun-size Snickers, most brands of chocolate contain soy lecithin, an emulsifier that binds the cocoa solids, milk and sugar so that they stick to the cocoa butter.
Soy lecithin lowers the viscosity of chocolate during the production process to create a more workable consistency, which makes it easier to pour into molds. Soy lecithin improves the shelf life of chocolate, which increases profitability and explains why it was on the shelves in mid-summer. It can also be found in many non-chocolate treats, including Twizzlers, toffee, caramels, Laffy Taffy, Milk Duds and even Jolly Ranchers.
If you choose to give non-candy items to trick-or-treaters, there’s a good chance that soy may still play a part in your holiday handouts. The popcorn in many brands of popcorn balls is popped in soybean oil, and this seasonal treat also contains soy lecithin. For those who choose a protein-based treat, Slim Jim Original Smoked Snack Sticks contain textured soy flour and lecithin. Rice Krispie Treats have both soybean oil and soy lecithin.
If, after a long afternoon or evening of trick-or-treating, you choose to gather around a bonfire for spooky stories and s’mores, it’s safe to say that hardworking soybean farm families have contributed to this beloved and tasty treat. Most graham crackers (and of course the chocolate) contain soy components.
Whether you choose to celebrate Halloween with a full-on costume and pumpkin bucket, or if you prefer to consume your favorite treat at home with your porch light off, it is likely that Kentucky’s soybean farmers helped make it possible.