What Are Gushers?

For a generation of elder millennials, Gushers represented our first brush with disappointment from false advertising. After watching a now infamous commercial, we were led to believe that when we ate Gushers our heads would inflate into giant fruit shapes. I can attest that after eating a multitude of Gushers, this is a lie. 

But even if Gushers could not fulfill its promise of changing a child’s head shape, they’re still really freaking tasty fruit snacks…or are they candy? What are Gushers? How are Gushers made? Get ready to gush all over some major Gushers info. 

What are Gushers?

Gushers are fruity, gummy treats made by General Mills under their Betty Crocker brand, first released in 1991. The full name of Gushers is actually Fruit Gushers. Go take a look at the box. It says it right there at the top. But I’m sure if you called them Fruit Gushers, the Gushers would be all like, “Hey, just call me Gushers.” 

Gushers have a shape somewhere between a gem and an acorn. They have a soft, licorice like texture on the outside, sort of like a wadded up Fruit Roll-up or Fruit By The Foot. Which makes sense considering General Mills makes all three of those fruit snacks. A Gusher’s inside is filled with a flavored liquid gel that sort of oozes out when you bite it rather than gushing. Despite this description, Gushers are actually really tasty.

Are Gusher candy or fruit snacks? 

It’s the question that tears Reddit communities apart every few years: are Gushers candy or fruit snacks? The Betty Crocker website lists Gushers as fruit flavored snacks. But take a look at their sugar contents and they pretty much match those of a candy. But what is a candy? If you need chocolate or a some sort of candy coated shell to consider something candy, then Gushers probably don’t do it for you. But if you accept gummy bears and their gummy compatriots as candy, then yes Gushers are also candyl. 

How are Gushers made?

Gushers are made by combining a delicious mixture of corn syrup, pear concentrate, sugar, corn starch, fructose, and grape juice concentrate. Two fruity gel molds are made, then one side is filled with goo. Then, the other side is smooshed onto the fruit-filled side to make one solid Gusher. 

How many Gushers are in a pack?

Originally Gushers were sold in a box that contained six pouches. Each Gushers pouch contained around nine Gushers. These days, there are a wide variety of box and pouch sizes available. The pouch contents are measured by weight, in grams or ounces. 

Why are Gushers all red?

Have you ever opened a pack of Gushers and wondered, “Why are all my Gushers red?” Chances are, you just opened a pack of strawberry Gushers. Those are all red, my guy. I’ve made a similar mistake. I’m always asking my local farmers market why all their strawberries are red. 

What flavor is the green Gusher?

A lot of people’s favorite Gusher is that green bad boy. What flavor is the green Gusher, anyway? Well, depending on the pack you get, it could be one of several flavors. In the tropical packs, green is usually kiwi-lim,  although some claim it tastes close to watermelon. There has also been a green apple flavored Gusher.