They usually single out one or two compounds out of dozens which make up the flavor profile, pair it with citric acid and sugar in whatever ratio, and call it good. If they actually synthesized a complex, realistic fruit taste, your laffy taffy would cost about as much as a fine bottle of perfume, which is where they DO pull many compounds together to create an immersive profile.
It might cost as much to make as perfume, but for that kind of “luxury” shit the retail price and the cost of producing the product are entirely separate. Perfume is cheap to make too, it’s the brand that’s expensive.
They usually single out one or two compounds out of dozens which make up the flavor profile, pair it with citric acid and sugar in whatever ratio, and call it good. If they actually synthesized a complex, realistic fruit taste, your laffy taffy would cost about as much as a fine bottle of perfume, which is where they DO pull many compounds together to create an immersive profile.
It might cost as much to make as perfume, but for that kind of “luxury” shit the retail price and the cost of producing the product are entirely separate. Perfume is cheap to make too, it’s the brand that’s expensive.