This fun chemical reaction experiment tastes so delicious and is so easy for kids to complete themselves! Learn how to make sherbet that’s fizzy on your tongue and tastes great while learning.
Make Sherbet
Sherbet is a sugary powder that can be enjoyed by itself or sprinkled on top of ice cream. It has a fun, tingly effect on the tongue.
To make sherbet, you will need:
- icing sugar or powdered sugar
- citric acid
- bi-carbonate of soda or baking soda
- jelly crystals – optional
This recipe is so simple. Children can help measure out the 3 tablespoons of icing sugar, placing it in a bowl. Then, measure out the 1 tsp of citric acid and the 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda. The jelly crystals are used to flavour and colour the sherbet.
Give children a small amount, around ½ a teaspoon serve in a small cup or bowl. They could also sprinkle this over the top of a bowl of ice cream, pancakes or waffles.
Variations
For this, you can use any flavour of jelly or make multiple batches of the sherbet, using a different flavoured jelly for each one.
- 100s & 1000s could also be added to the mixture
- Popping candy or pop rocks would also make a fun addition
- Kool-aid could also be used to flavour and colour the sherbet
The Science
The tingling in your mouth is caused by an acid-base reaction. The citric acid is the acid, while the bicarb soda is the base. When an acid and a base is mixed with the saliva in your mouth, a gas is created. It is the carbon dioxide bubbles that give the sherbet its fizz. The icing sugar is a sweetener and the jelly crystals add flavour and colour to the sherbet.
More Science Experiments
How to Make Sherbet
Simple Living. Creative LearningThis fun chemical reaction experiment tastes so delicious and is so easy for kids to complete themselves! Learn how to make sherbet that's fizzy on your tongue and tastes great while learning.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp citric acid
- 1 tsp bicarb soda
- 3 TBSP icing sugar
- 2 TBSP jelly crystals or more to taste
Instructions
- Measure out the 3 tablespoons of icing sugar, placing it in a bowl.
- Then, measure out the 1 tsp of citric acid and the 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda.
- Add the jelly crystals if using and mix through.
- Place about half a teaspoon of mixture onto your tongue.
- Sherbet could also be sprinkled this over the top of a bowl of ice cream, pancakes or waffles.
Notes
The Science
The tingling in your mouth is caused by an acid-base reaction. The citric acid is the acid, while the bicarb soda is the base. When an acid and a base is mixed with the saliva in your mouth, a gas is created. It is the carbon dioxide bubbles that give the sherbet its fizz. The icing sugar is a sweetener and the jelly crystals add flavour and colour to the sherbet.
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I’ll definitely try this one 🙂
I love sherbert dips!
Visiting via the Mingle With Us Hop 🙂
Sarah
http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk
please tell me, what are jelly crystals?
A packet of jelly crystals is used to make jelly. They can be purchased from grocery stores here in Australia.