Rock Candy Sugar: Production, Uses, and Origin

What It Is

Large sugar crystals formed by crystallizing supersaturated sugar syrup (2:1 sugar:water) on sticks/strings. Also called rock candy.

Process

1. Heat water, dissolve sugar to supersaturation.
2. Cool slightly, suspend sticks/strings.
3. Crystals nucleate on sticks, grow over days.
4. Harvest clusters.

History & Uses

• Origin: Middle East (flavored with citrus).
• Uses: Candy, tea/coffee stirrers, dessert garnish, slow-dissolve sugar cubes, baking texture.
• Made from cane or beet sugar.

Molasses Relation

Molasses is a byproduct of sugar refining; rock sugar is made from refined sucrose, not from molasses.