Thursday, June 28, 2012

What Makes Gourmet Candies Special

By Allyson Westcot


A special method of cooking caramels causes them to be soft and creamy as a dream. Not all candy shops or manufacturers use such a slow, careful process, and finish up with hard, sticky caramels or plain, unexciting ones like those made by large candy manufacturers.

When slow-cooked, dark or white chocolate dipped caramels blend two of the best tastes on earth, resulting in a delicious treat. Espresso caramels, where really finely ground espresso beans are added to the caramel, are very special. The result is a to-die-for taste that coffee fans love. And finally, sea salt caramels, the delightful mix of sweet and salty, are made all the better by being dipped in dark chocolate!

What makes caramels so delectable? Making them by hand and slow-cooking them in a copper kettle. The old-fashioned concern for detail and special care in cooking is why are they so fantastic. Also, truly gourmet shops should make the candy in little groups to watch it meticulously and cook it until it's the perfect texture and soft, fresh taste.

It requires some patience, using this strategy of cooking. But everyone can agree that the quality of the result is definitely worth it. A cathedral isn't built in a week, a stunning piece of art not painted overnite. And gourmet caramels and chocolates that make you smile blissfully when you taste them are not just made by machine in a rushed, impersonal way. It needs time and care to make something wonderful. That explains why so many candy fans love the slow-cooking, hand-made strategy.

There is more of an art to the making of candy than many realize. Whether you like a mouth watering sea-salt caramel, a rich espresso caramel, or a conventional creamy variety, the way that the candy is created will affect the quantity of pleasure you get from eating it. Don't accept heavily produced caramels when you can enjoy a gourmand variety that was made with care and patience.




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