White Rock Sugar, Source: Wikipedia
My mother occasionally buys a packet of white rock sugar. I have never known where it goes but it disappears somewhere. No idea where it goes given that there isn’t a lot of sweet things being made from the kitchen. Another thing that I have never known is what rock sugar is. They are about the size of small pebbles and they are sort of transparent.
Today I investigated for the the first time to discover that rock sugar is sugar. It is made up of large sugar crystals made from a supersaturated solution of sugar and water that have recrystallised on a surface for the crystals to grow. This could be a string or a stick.
To create a supersaturated solution, water is heated to allow more sugar to dissolve than at room temperature. This then allows large crystals of sugar to form as the solution cools and evaporated. The crystals take around a week to form.
In my research, I’ve discovered that in the USA there is something called rock candy which is made in the same way. It is flavoured, coloured and appears to be sold widely, (someone correct me if I’m wrong). I am going to to start looking for rock candy in the imported lollies section at my local lolly store. I’m curious about its texture and the flavours it comes in. I have also found a video demonstration of how to make it just in case I can’t find any for sale.
