---
title: Science Determines How Many Licks it Take to Get toTootsie Pop Center
description: Hint: it's not three
canonical: https://time.com/3702741/tootsie-pop-science/
author: Maya Rhodan
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article:published_time: 2015-02-10T12:40:48.000Z
article:modified_time: 2023-12-13T17:54:13.000Z
og:title: Science Determines How Many Licks it Take to Get toTootsie Pop Center
og:description: Hint: it's not three
og:url: https://time.com/3702741/tootsie-pop-science/
og:site_name: TIME
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twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: Science Determines How Many Licks it Take to Get toTootsie Pop Center
twitter:description: Hint: it's not three
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# Science Finally Determines How Many Licks it Takes to Get to the Center of a Tootsie Pop
## Video: Classic Tootsie Roll Commercial - "How Many Licks"
[Watch (HLS stream): Classic Tootsie Roll Commercial - "How Many Licks"](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/y8ptEknu.m3u8) (1:01)
_Published 2015-02-10. Classic Tootsie Roll Commercial - "How Many Licks"_
by
[Maya Rhodan](https://time.com/author/maya-rhodan/)
## Maya Rhodan
Updated: Dec 13, 2023 5:54 PM UTCPublished: Feb 10, 2015 12:40 PM UTC
by
[Maya Rhodan](https://time.com/author/maya-rhodan/)
## Maya Rhodan
Updated: Dec 13, 2023 5:54 PM UTCPublished: Feb 10, 2015 12:40 PM UTC
Scientists have finally answered one of humanities most pressing questions: [how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie pop?](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6rHeD5x2tI)
Turns out, it takes an estimated 1,000 licks to get to the center of a lollipop. In a [study](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150205095046.htm) recently published in the _Journal of Fluid Mechanics_, researchers from New York University and Florida State University developed a theory for how flowing liquid dissolves and shrinks material which they then used to determine how long it would take to dissolve a lollipop. For Tootsie Rolls specifically, researchers told the [_New York Post_](http://nypost.com/2015/02/09/nyu-cracks-the-question-how-many-licks-to-the-center-of-a-tootsie-pop/), it’ll take about 2,500 licks. Go home, rest of the science world, there are no more questions left.
Though the lollipop finding is clearly the most pressing, the theory can also be used for important research in geology and pharmaceutical science, according to a report by [_Science Daily_](http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150205095046.htm).
h/t [NY Post](http://nypost.com/2015/02/09/nyu-cracks-the-question-how-many-licks-to-the-center-of-a-tootsie-pop/)
### QUIZ: Should You Eat This or That?
Which is better for you: Half cup of ice cream or 3 scoops of sorbet? Getty Images (4)
Answer: A half cup of ice cream If you eat what you’re craving, you’re more likely to feel satisfied and eat less. And scoop for scoop sorbet contains twice the sugar with none of the filling dairy protein and fat. Getty Images (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Real butter or spray on fake butter? Getty Images; Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Butter Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You're better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you're using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A turkey burger or a sirloin burger? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Sirloin burger Restaurant turkey burgers are often made with dark meat and the skin, so they’re not necessarily better for you (and for the record, they aren't low-fat). You can get a sirloin burger that’s 95% lean meat and gives you 20 g of protein. Just be careful with the toppings. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Almonds or pretzels? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Almonds Almonds are high in protein, fiber and fat and will keep you feeling fuller longer. Give high-sodium pretzels about an hour and you'll feel hungry again thanks to the high-carb no-fat or protein content. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Special K or eggs? AP; Getty Images
Answer: Eggs In the morning, you want a meal that will fill you up. Eggs offer protein and fat for satiety, but Special K cereal really only offers carbs and, well, air. If you want carbs to kick off the day, you're better off pairing eggs with a slice of 100% whole grain toast. Getty Images (1); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Fat free salad dressing or regular salad dressing? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: Regular salad dressingTo absorb fat soluble vitamins like Vitamins E and K in vegetables you need to consume them with a fat to aid nutrient absorption. Fat-free dressing, meanwhile, is low-calorie but gets its flavor from added sugar and salt. Tara Johnson for TIME (5); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: A low fat cookie or dark chocolate? Getty Images (2)
Answer: Dark chocolate “People believe fat free is calorie free,” says Keri Gans, a registered dietitian in New York City. “Go for the real thing.” Fat free cookies tend to be high in carbs, sugar and fake sugar. Try a nice piece of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate instead. Getty Images (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
Which is better for you: Low fat Greek yogurt or 100 calorie Yoplait yogurt? Tara Johnson for TIME
Answer: 2% Greek YogurtA little fat is good in the morning to keep you full—plus it has upwards of 17g of protein per container. Fat-free "fruit" yogurt is high in sugar—7 to 10 g per serving—and lower in protein. Tara Johnson for TIME (2); Gif by Mia Tramz for TIME
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