<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><item href="/news/2026/expert-chemistry-of-candy.php" dsn="news"><pubDate>02/13/2026</pubDate><title>There's A Reason Why We Like Candy, Chemistry Explains It All</title><description>An associate professor of chemistry at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith details how science explains candy preferences and composition. Chemistry, down to the molecular level, is why certain sweet treats are favorites. </description><author>Ian Silvester</author><category>Arts and Sciences</category><category>Ask the Expert</category><category>Featured</category><image><img src="/news/_images/candy-chemistry.jpg" alt="Assorted candies of multiple colors"/></image><caption/><tags><tag>Chemistry</tag></tags><archive>2026-02</archive></item>