If you've seen a TikTok video where Skittles puff up in a machine and then someone crunches them into a microphone, you already know freeze-dried sweets. In just a few years the trend has gone from a curiosity to a category of sweets in its own right.
How did it start? 📱
For years freeze dryers were equipment for laboratories and food producers. When smaller machines appeared, people started freeze-drying food at home, and then sweets. Videos of candy growing and cracking turned out to be very watchable, and crunching recordings (ASMR) racked up millions of views.
Why does it look so good on video? 🎥
Because the change is visible straight away. The same candy looks completely different before and after freeze-drying, and the crunching sound is surprising, because nobody expects it from a gummy. Plus they're familiar sweets, so everyone can compare them with what they remember.
The most popular TikTok flavours 🔥
- Freeze-dried Skittles, where it all started.
- Nerds, gummies in a crunchy coating.
- Rainbow nachos made from Fruit Roll-Ups, which look like colourful chips.
- Sour sweets for fans of a challenge.
Where to start? 🎁
If you want to try several flavours at once, go for a Mystery Box. You'll find a size comparison in our post which Mystery Box to choose. And if you want to understand what happens inside the machine, read how freeze-drying works.