If you are like me, you probably broke into the Halloween stash of candy. When my little ones saw the crime I had committed, they wanted in on the fun. Kids and candy seem to mesh very well together. Brian Wansink, Director of Cornell University’s Food and Brand Lab, explains that the effect and taste of the sugar are magnified in kids more so than in adults. He said, “Children have the same number of taste buds as adults, but their tongue is a whole lot smaller, so the flavors are more intense the younger you are.”

That explains a lot. Here is a recipe, you can make for your kids or those soon-to-be-knocking scary trick-or-treaters—Edible Water Beads.

You will need a packet of tapioca pearls (you can purchase it at an Asian food market or online—be sure to get the quick cook tapioca), a pan, water, and food coloring for added color.

Add the tapioca to a pan with water and bring to a boil for five minutes. Once cooked, drain the pearls and run them under cold water for several minutes.

IMAGE SOURCE: GROWINGAJEWELEDROSE

Now, you can add food coloring. Divide the pearls into cups, add a few drops of food coloring, and mix well.

IMAGE SOURCE: GROWINGAJEWELEDROSE

Let the colors absorb into the pearls for 5 minutes, then place back into a strainer and rinse under cold water for several minutes.

IMAGE SOURCE: GROWINGAJEWELEDROSE

IMAGE SOURCE: GROWINGAJEWELEDROSE

The beads have the most vibrant colors and the kids will love with them!

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