Gummy Worms?

Of course there are plenty of non-gelatin gummy worms out there - but it’s worth thinking about gelatin.

As a byproduct it’s been used by humans for about 8,000 years, and was first used medicinally in East Asia. The earliest recorded use as a food stuff was in 10th century Baghdad where it was considered a high-end food stuff.

In the past (before plastics) gelatin was also used in the theatre, with coloured gelatin employed for dramatic effect - hence the modern term for lighting tints ‘colour gels’. It is also used to hold silver halide crystals still in photographic film, and although loads of people have tried to find an alternative there isn’t one - so no, film photography isn’t vegan.

Thankfully in the most part we’ve got alternatives to boiling fish heads and cow hooves now!

Wahoo!