Yes, the citric acid is 100% necessary in this case to get the tiny bubbles in it. @m sailor has it correct, the baking soda plus acid combo is what gives the thing lift and those microbubbles.
But, con is that the stuff will be very tart, and the fizziness is very subtle, so I don't want your son to be too disappointed if it's not exactly what he expected. As to ham...looks like @rickg is correct, Goya does, and so does Badia spice! https://www.amazon.com/Badia-Ham-Seasoning-7-oz/dp/B073C8FH9P/
What an amazing concept you have explored! Slop(py Drunk) Rocks rock! Now I’m wondering about how a Frito pie would be if you used Rice Krispies instead of Fritos...
I came here thinking this would be a riff on sloppy steaks, not expecting any of this science bullshit. Maybe a swig of some soda water and a handful of the beef rocks would make for good sloppy steak rocks.
Yeah, I got a rather nasty blister when I made candied walnuts not long ago. Sugar & oil like you said retain heat for a long time, and as a bonus are clingy as hell when it splatters on you.
You have made real life Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Bean Rocks
Such a crazed riff on what was poor food for us. Trailer park molecular cuisine.
Hmm, cheese whiz made from Neal's Yard clothbound cheddar would be a tasty treat. Sure, you have some sodium citrate around!
I have less than I should since the cats tried to eat it!
This is beautiful, and I have questions.
1. Is the citric acid necessary for the chemistry and physics, or is it just for flavoring?
2. My son wants to make ham-flavored Pop Rocks. Does McCormick's make essence of ham?
Yes, the citric acid is 100% necessary in this case to get the tiny bubbles in it. @m sailor has it correct, the baking soda plus acid combo is what gives the thing lift and those microbubbles.
But, con is that the stuff will be very tart, and the fizziness is very subtle, so I don't want your son to be too disappointed if it's not exactly what he expected. As to ham...looks like @rickg is correct, Goya does, and so does Badia spice! https://www.amazon.com/Badia-Ham-Seasoning-7-oz/dp/B073C8FH9P/
Having just delved into a Kids Magic Potion Science Kit:
Yes, the citric acid is for the chemistry. Citric acid + baking soda will bubble up when exposed to water. It's desicated vinegar+baking soda volcano!
Goya does!
What an amazing concept you have explored! Slop(py Drunk) Rocks rock! Now I’m wondering about how a Frito pie would be if you used Rice Krispies instead of Fritos...
You made Barf Brittle.
I sure as hell did
I came here thinking this would be a riff on sloppy steaks, not expecting any of this science bullshit. Maybe a swig of some soda water and a handful of the beef rocks would make for good sloppy steak rocks.
Yeah, I got a rather nasty blister when I made candied walnuts not long ago. Sugar & oil like you said retain heat for a long time, and as a bonus are clingy as hell when it splatters on you.