How Cotton Candy Is Made (and Why It Melts in Your Mouth!)

Light, fluffy, and super sweet, cotton candy is a favorite treat at fairs, carnivals, and amusement parks everywhere. But have you ever stopped to wonder how this sugary cloud is made? Or why it disappears on your tongue like magic? Let’s take a closer look at the science (and fun) behind cotton candy!

What Is Cotton Candy Made From?

Cotton candy is pretty simple—it's just sugar. That’s right, this tasty treat only needs one ingredient: sugar! Sometimes food coloring and flavoring are added for extra flair. It gets its name from its soft and airy texture that looks a lot like cotton.

How Is Cotton Candy Made?

Making cotton candy is a lot cooler than you might think! Here’s how it works:

Heating the Sugar

A cotton candy machine starts by heating granulated sugar (or hard candy) until it melts into a liquid.

Spinning the Sugar

The hot liquid sugar is spun at super high speeds inside a metal bowl. As it spins, tiny holes in the bowl force the sugar out in miniature threads.

Turning to Fluff

As the melted sugar flies through the air, it cools almost instantly and hardens into thin strands. These strands collect on the sides of the machine and are gathered onto a cone or stick.

Why Does It Melt in Your Mouth?

Cotton candy might be big and fluffy, but it’s actually super light. That’s because it’s made of thin sugar threads with lots of air between them. When you take a bite, your warm mouth instantly dissolves the sugar. That’s why it seems to vanish as soon as it hits your tongue!

Fun Cotton Candy Facts

Cotton candy machines were invented by dentist William Morrison! Surprising, right?

One serving of cotton candy actually has less sugar than an average can of soda.

Cotton candy was originally called "fairy floss" when it was first invented in 1897.

The biggest cotton candy ever made weighed over 3,400 pounds!

Raccoons "wash" their food—not because they're trying to clean it, but because their sense of touch is heightened when their paws are wet. They basically just dip their food in water to better identify and manipulate whatever it is they're eating. So, if you give a raccoon cotton candy, it will probably try to "wash it"—causing it to melt away in the water. Poor raccoons!

Sweet Treats at Action City!

At Action City, we know kids love a good sugar rush, especially after scoring big on arcade games. Our redemption store is stocked with tons of sweet and colorful treats, including tubs of cotton candy that we spin ourselves! Whether you're trading in tickets or just craving some fun, we've got something tasty waiting for you.

Want to experience a place as fun and colorful as cotton candy? Visit Metropolis Resort for arcade adventures, trampoline thrills, and so much more!