A Candy Experiments potion to celebrate Harry Potter

Candy Experiments potion from the Harry Potter book release signing party

Watch this purple potion turn blue, then bubbling purple, then bubbling pink! Is it magic...or science?



To make the potion yourself:

1. Pour purple cabbage indicator into cup.*
2. Add baking soda to turn it blue.
3. Add a Warhead to make the potion bubble and start turning purple again.
4. Add Pixy Stix powder to turn the potion pink and bubbly.

Purple cabbage juice is an acid-base indicator. Add something basic, like baking soda, and it turns blue. Neutralize the baking soda with an acidic Warhead, and it starts turning purple again, while the acid reacts with the baking soda to make bubbles. Acidic Pixy Stix complete the potion by turning the indicator pink.

Happy Harry Potter Day!

* Make cabbage indicator by letting chopped red cabbage sit in water for an hour, or boiling it for more color. Strain and refrigerate.