The age-old question of how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop has been around since the candy’s inception in 1931. Much like the mysteries of the universe, this question has yet to be answered conclusively. While the exact number of licks required may not be known, there are some interesting facts about how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
Counting Licks
Researchers from the University of Michigan conducted a study in 2015 to try and answer this question. They asked a group of 50 students to lick Tootsie Pops and count the number of licks it took to get to the center. The results of the study found that it took an average of 364 licks to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop.
However, the number of licks it took to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop varied greatly among the participants. Some students were able to get to the center in as few as 144 licks, while others took as many as 575 licks.
Uncovering the Mystery
Despite the fact that the exact number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop is unknown, there are some theories as to why it takes so many licks. One theory is that the lollipop’s hard candy coating is the main factor in determining how many licks it takes. The harder the candy coating, the longer it will take to get to the center.
Another theory is that the shape and size of the Tootsie Pop also plays a role in determining how many licks it takes. Smaller Tootsie Pops may require fewer licks, while larger ones may take more.
Finally, the amount of saliva produced by the person licking the Tootsie Pop is also a factor. The more saliva produced, the faster the candy coating will dissolve, allowing the person to get to the center of the Tootsie Pop faster.
So while the exact number of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop may never be known, it is clear that the hard candy coating, the shape and size of the candy, and the amount of saliva produced by the person licking the Tootsie Pop all play a role in determining how many licks it takes.
A classic childhood question we all know, “How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?” How can one answer such a basic question without the help of a brave soul willing to make the attempt? A study was undertaken to truly answer this age-old conundrum by a team of researchers from the Center for Cognitive and Sensory Sciences at Purdue University.
The research team used a variety of test subjects; consisting of 60 people between the ages of five and sixty. Each participant was given a Tootsie Pop and instructed to lick as normal until they reached the center. The study was conducted over a period of two weeks and each participant was instructed to note the amount of licks and the number of breaks taken for a sip of water. Most notably the group was split evenly between males and females.
The results showed that on average it took an even 144 licks to reach the center of a Tootsie Pop. This number did deviate slightly with the younger respondents consistently having a few more licks than their adult counterparts (149 compared to 140). The frequency of breaks taken also differed between the two, with the males taking five sips and the females seven.
It would appear that, while all participants agreed that the average amount of licks is 144, the amount of breaks taken can vary significantly. The overall conclusion of the study was that the amount of effort needed to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop is largely based off the personal preference of the participant.
So, the next time you take that first lick, don’t worry about counting how many you’ll need, just enjoy the unique flavor of a Tootsie Pop.
