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Food and Drink Gummy fun According to the shops, black and white-coloured penguin gummies are, in fact, of the peach flavour. The gummies in the form of "red juicy lips" are a combined flavour of cherry andcome in two flavours, vanilla and cola. The candies also have different degrees of chewy texture, depending on the gelatin content. Some shops sell special gummies in the themes of different festivals such as eyeballs and pumpkins during the period of Halloween. Of the variety of gummies, most people prefer sugar-coated cola gummies, according to shopkeepers. When selecting the gummies, customers are provided with plastic bags and mini tongs. There are up to 26 colours of the tongs. "People can buy mini tongs of
different colours at HK$2 each if they
want to have a collection," said Wu Waishan,
a saleswoman of Honeybee Candy In choosing the gummies, some customers have special criteria and habits. "I like the feeling that the flavour sustains in my mouth for a long time," Ma Fung-yee who likes fruity gummy bears said. Another customer Cheung Kwun-yu prefers super sour gummies."It stimulates my senses and keeps me awake at night when I have to study," Cheung said. University student Kit Tang Wingkwan said she would put sugar-coated gummies and those without sugar coating in separate bags. But a form seven student Alex Wong Kai-chung said he would keep gummies of the same flavour but in different shapes in one bag. From time to time, dating couples are
seen picking the gummies skilfully with
the men responsible for opening and
closing the container lids while the women
choose the sweets. A number of
boyfriends and husbands will just wait
outside the shops as their loved ones
spend time on selecting the gummies. Since those candy shops are of selfservice, the hygiene of gummies is a concern of some customers. "I doubt whether the gummies served in boxes are clean," said Leung Tsz-ning who buys selfservice gummies at least twice a month."Yet, it is acceptable as the boxes have lids." Lawrence Ramsden, a senior lecturer of food and nutrition basics at the University of Hong Kong's SPACE Community College, said humidity might affect the quality of the gummies. "When the gummies absorb water, they will be more susceptible to micro-organisms," he said. But Ramsden said normally gummies were not likely to be affected as the shops were often air-conditioned and humidity was controlled. To assure the quality and hygiene of her shop's products, Lam Yin-hang, who is a saleswoman of Honeybee in CTMA Centre, said she had lots to do. "My first task of the day is to move the gummies from the bottom of the containers to the top. Then refill them with fresh gummies," Lam said. "Gummies will be refilled two to three times a day." And she has to wear plastic gloves when refilling the gummies. She also said the containers would be cleaned from time to time and tongs would be wiped every day. Some shops like Aji Ichiban offer prepacked gummies. "Selling gummies in packages will be more convenient for our customers and increase their desires to buy them," said Sin Tsz-yeung, marketing executive of Aji Ichiban Co. Ltd.. "Customers can also store their gummies for a longer time."
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