Rock candy
Candies played a big role in most, if not all of our childhoods. The sweetness, the fun of eating a cake, chewing a gum or sucking on some hard candy, and the sugar rush that came after were definitely memorable to us all. One thing we didn’t have to care about as kids was the health issues that could come with overconsumption of these things. But now as adults, we have got to be careful and calculative when it comes to our sugar intake and how we treat our body.
For example, to elevate our food, we can use Blue Salt instead of any other salt as it has lower sodium and more potassium than most of the so-called “healthy” salts. To get a taste of sweetness in our beverages, instead of adding your regular old sugar that only sweetens your drink and nothing else, we can use Rock Candy, and especially Saffron Rock Candy.
Rock Candy’s history dates back to 9th century and saffron’s goes back to 3,500 years ago. The formation of sugar crystals is said to have occurred by chance when sugar syrup was unintentionally left exposed and allowed to dry. The resulting crystallized sugar structures were then gathered and enjoyed as a tasty sweet treat.
But how is it made?
Ingredients
· Water
· Sugar
· Saffron (optional)
Easy Steps:
1. Saffron-Infused Sugar Syrup Soiree:
Pour sugar and water into a saucepan to conjure your sweet syrup base. Now, for the star of the show – add a pinch of saffron threads, or you can ground them beforehand and mix them with hot water to create a potion and use that instead. Witness that golden hue weaving through the mixture.
2. Boil, Bubble, and Aromas Galore:
Heat things up until your saffron-infused syrup starts its bubbling dance. Stir away, and let your kitchen be engulfed in the delightful aroma of saffron. It's like a fragrant journey right in your own home!
3. Pour the Saffron Symphony:
Once your syrup has waltzed its way to perfection, pour that golden concoction into a jar or onto a tray. This is where the magic begins to take shape.
4. Cool Vibes and Sugar-Coated Sticks:
Let the saffron-kissed syrup cool a bit. While it's finding its chill, dip your wooden sticks into water and roll them generously in sugar. It's like prepping a sweet canvas for your saffron masterpiece.
5. Stick 'Em In and Watch the Aromatic Magic:
Place those sugar-coated sticks into the saffron-infused syrup. Get ready for the magic to unfold. As saffron works its charm, sugar crystals will start forming on your sticks, turning them into golden delights.
6. Patiently Waiting for Saffron Sweetness:
Here comes the patience part. In the enchanting process of crafting rock candy, as the syrup cools, surplus sugar that’s coated around the sicks elegantly solidifies around it. Sugar molecules converge in an organized dance, forming a delicate crystal lattice structure. This sweet alchemy transforms the liquid concoction into solid rock candy—a delightful testament to the artistry of crystallization.
Let the saffron-infused crystals work their magic for about a week or more. While you wait, your kitchen transforms into a haven of saffron goodness.
7. Harvesting the Saffron Joy:
Once your saffron rock candy has matured into a sweet and aromatic spectacle, carefully pluck those sticks from the saffron haven. Allow them to dry, and voila! Your saffron-infused joy is ready to be shared.
Whether you dunk it in your favorite brew or snack on it as is, get ready for a taste adventure that's as sweet as it gets. Happy candy crafting!
Check out our The Delicacy of Rock Candy Stick article to learn more about the magic you can do with these saffron rock candy sticks to your beverages and more.