SKAARUP LABS' ROCK CANDY
Source of Recipe
???
Recipe Introduction
List of Ingredients
5 cup Sugar
2 cup Water
Food Coloring
Aluminum Tins (disposable)
String or Thread
Candy Thermometer (must go to at least 325°F)
Wooden spoon
Recipe
Buy some disposable aluminum tins - square or loaf seem to
work the best.
Use a pencil to punch small holes into the rim of the tin
and drape as many strings across the pan as possible without
any two strings touching. Tie knots in the string outside
the rim holes to secure the hanging string. The mixture
you're going to be pouring is hot enough that any tape used
to secure the
strings might come off.
In a medium saucepan bring the water to a gentle boil. Add
the sugar and stir with a wooden spoon. Continue to
boil until all the sugar has completely dissolved. Food
coloring
(1-2 drops) may be added. Continue to boil until the
temperature reaches above 260°F then remove from the
heat. Let the solution cool for about 5 minutes then pour
into the prepared tins. Cover loosely with aluminum foil or
waxed paper (just to keep dust off; do not use clear plastic
wrap). Punch holes in the cover to allow evaporated water to
escape.
Place is a warm, ventilated space - like a window sill.
Takes about a week or less for all crystals to form.
DIFFERENT
COLORS
One or two drops of food coloring
can be added to each tin after the
solution has been poured. You
can make different tin with
different color crystals.
CANDY
STICKS
Use wooden coffee stirs or
popsicle sticks in one tray. Kids
can use these sticks at home to
sweeten iced tea.
SEED
CRYSTALS
Drop a few "seed" crystals of
sugar into one tin without any
strings or sticks. See if crystals
form.
QUESTIONS: Ask kids if they patterns
of the crystals look like anything else they may already
know...
buildings, rocks, jewelry, art... Have them try to draw a
their
crystals and discuss with others.
(Did you know there's a national park
called "Rock Candy Canyon." Why do
you think that is?)
Rock Candy, like any candy recipe, is very unforgiving and
can fail. I recommend making it at home first to
be sure you've gotten the steps down and can reliably create
a working supersaturated sugar syrup. Have some Rock Candy
Stirring Sticks already tucked away when the magic day comes
to pull the strings out of the solution to ease failure.
Crystallization can occur on surfaces other than your string
or stick. If you're string is lacking in crystals, pour out
the water and examine the tray.
Kids find it hard not to touch the apparatus. You may want
to shield it from their view during the week or
limit access to 5 minutes a day.
The more rough the thread or string is the better
crystallization will occur. Very smooth thread - or heaven
forbid - fishing line! doesn't form good crystals and may
not work at all!
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