Abstract: This invention is related to a reactor used in the production of hard candy by employing a treatment with neutral carbon dioxide gas and thus having gas bubbles, which effervesce in the mouth. The reactor for manufacturing popping candy includes a pressure vessel of double-walled construction; a shaft assembly mounted within the pressure vessel for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the pressure vessel; the shaft assembly including a first shaft located within a second shaft for circulation of cooling fluid in the shaft assembly; a plurality of stirring blades secured to the second shaft and arranged at an angle to the longitudinal axis; and a reactor wall stripper attached to outer ends of the blades, the reactor wall stripper having a width substantially identical to widths of the blades.