Food
Much like any treat or food enjoyed around the world, caramel has evolved from its origin. Caramel has been adapted by many cultures, each putting their own spin on this delicious candy. Most believe caramel was created more than 1,020 years ago in 1000 AD by Arabs mixing sugar and water to create a crystallized liquid. Funny enough, the original caramel was not believed to be enjoyed as a sweet treat but rather used as a beauty product. It was not until about 1860 AD when milk and cream were mixed in with sugar and water to create the caramels many of us know and love today.
What is Caramel and How is Caramel Made?
Caramel is a confectionary treat that can take a variety of forms from soft candy and nougats to ice cream toppings or dessert fillings. Made by expertly mixing water and sugar, caramel requires patience, heating sugar slowly to around 170 °C (340 °F). To make the caramel candy we love is slightly different and often viewed as quite the art form due to its difficulty. Caramel candy is created by boiling a mixture of milk or cream, sugar(s), glucose, butter, and vanilla. Making different caramels requires varying temperatures, often taking the ingredients from boiling to cooling. For example, traditional caramels are made by boiling sugar and glucose separately, then adding the cream and butter to the boiling mixture to instantly cool the ingredients, and then stirring and reheating the mixture back to 120 °C (250 °F). Flavoring like vanilla or salt is done after the caramel has been made to avoid burning them off during the caramelization process.
