The Making of Sugar Mice
Written by zhanghan on January 13, 2010 14:00
It's highly likely most of us have not given much thought into how sugar mice are madeIn the present age most would assume monster factories turn out zillions of the little things from a huge automated machine started by the simple press of a buttonThink againA small manufacturer in Wales produces brilliant sugar mice by the truckload using methods that have changed little since the 1600's.
A sugar mouse starts life as part of a block of fondant made from sugar and glucoseThe required measure of fondant is made to produce a batch and then natural flavourings and colour are addedThe fondant is heated in a type of cauldron and stirred, until thoroughly melted, mixed and just below boiling point.
The mixture is then drawn off with a pan and poured into a stainless steel cone containing a tiny hole in the bottom blocked with a doweling rodThe process gathers pace at this stage when the operative with the cone, moves smartly to the table waiting sugar mouse moulds followed by a colleague holding a handful of string tails.
The cone is held over the first mouse shaped cavity and the rod is lifted from small hole at the bottom, just long enough for the liquid fondant to occupy the mouse shaped mouldThis continues with the tails placed into the new mice almost immediately after the mould is filled by the person holding the coneThey move purposefully and quickly over each mould until it is fully occupied by 20 new sugar mice, 900 in total, with the last drops in the cone forced through the small aperture with a tapping action of the rod.
Sources : Electronic Accessories Spot