Are you a fan or foe of popping candy? Do you enjoy the way it tingles and crackles, or does it put you off?

Whether or not you’ll have the lolly again, it’s hard to deny the feeling the first time popping candy hits your tongue. How many other foods cause such a racket when they get to your mouth?

So, how does this novelty lolly work, and is it bad for us? Well, it’s pretty much entirely sugar – so make your own judgement about whether you want to have it for dinner. But scientifically, popping candy is explosively exciting.

Ellen Phiddian worked in science outreach before deciding to become, in her grandmother's words, "one of those whizz-bang science journalists". With a background in chemistry, she's particularly interested in renewable energy, catalysts, and deciphering the ingredients on food packages. Her favourite podcasts are Wardrobe Crisis,Friends at the Table, and just about any audiodrama.

Are you a fan or foe of popping candy? Do you enjoy the way it tingles and crackles, or does it put you off?
Whether or not you&rsquo;ll have the lolly again, it&rsquo;s hard to deny the feeling the first time popping candy hits your tongue. How many other foods cause such a racket when they get to your mouth?
So, how does this novelty lolly work, and is it bad for us? Well, it&rsquo;s pretty much entirely sugar &ndash; so make your own judgement about whether you want to have it for dinner. But scientifically, popping candy is explosively exciting.
Ellen Phiddian worked in science outreach before deciding to become, in her grandmother's words, "one of those whizz-bang science journalists". With a background in chemistry, she's particularly interested in renewable energy, catalysts, and deciphering the ingredients on food packages. Her favourite podcasts are Wardrobe Crisis, Friends at the Table, and just about any audiodrama.

Put your thinking caps on, folks. Huh? Science Explained is here, the twice weekly podcast brought to you by LiSTNR and Cosmos. Hosted by Cosmos’ very own science journos, this is the podcast that will answer all of life’s questions – in just 10 minutes.

Put your thinking caps on, folks. Huh? Science Explained is here, the twice weekly podcast brought to you by LiSTNR and Cosmos. Hosted by Cosmos’ very own science journos, this is the podcast that will answer all of life’s questions – in just 10 minutes.

Huh? Science Explained

MYTHBUSTING: Can eating popping candy and drinking Coke make your stomach explode?

If you’re living in southern Australia, you’re probably in no doubt that winter is coming. Temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and our minds are increasingly occupied with thoughts of hot chocolates, wood fires and blankets. Or maybe that’s just us.

We’re heading towards the winter solstice – the shortest day of the year – on the 21st of June 2022. The summer solstice in December is feeling pretty far away. But have you ever wondered exactly what a solstice is and why it happens?

Matilda is a science writer at the Royal Institution of Australia’s Cosmos Magazine with a background in bioethics and microbiology.

If you&rsquo;re living in southern Australia, you&rsquo;re probably in no doubt that winter is coming. Temperatures are dropping, the days are getting shorter, and our minds are increasingly occupied with thoughts of hot chocolates, wood fires and blankets. Or maybe that&rsquo;s just us.
We&rsquo;re heading towards the winter solstice &ndash; the shortest day of the year &ndash; on the 21st of June 2022. The summer solstice in December is feeling pretty far away. But have you ever wondered exactly what a solstice is and why it happens?
Matilda is a science writer at the Royal Institution of Australia&rsquo;s Cosmos Magazine with a background in bioethics and microbiology.

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