The Anatomy of a Twinkie

Monday, 13 September 2010 | by Pat's Picks

We’ve all heard the story about the Twinkie that fell behind the refrigerator and was found, in tact, 40 years later. For decades, the frightening durability of the iconic snack cake has been fodder for wonder and ridicule.  But what exactly makes a Twinkie, a Twinkie? Curious, photographer Dwight Eschliman set out to document the 37 ingredients listed on the Twinkie’s package. Along the way he discovered that many of its elements could only be found in a chemical supply store. Eschliman told the San Francisco Chronicle that two of the ingredients—monoglyceride and diglyceride—come with hazard warnings: “[They’re so noxious that you couldn’t get within a few feet of them without feeling sick.” Another, he discovered, is used to make Plaster of Paris. Yum.

Click here for Eschliman’s photographic journey inside a Twinkie.