crystalline candy
Quick Summary
Crystalline candy refers to sweets with a definite, small-crystal structure, resulting in a smooth, creamy texture that is easily chewed. This is in contrast to noncrystalline candies, which have a homogeneous structure and can be chewy or hard.1
The formation of crystalline candy relies on the process of crystallization, where particles like sugar molecules come together to form a stable cluster. This process begins with nucleation, the initial step of particle aggregation, followed by growth or accretion as more particles join the cluster.2
Examples of crystalline candies include fondant and fudge. Fondant is made by beating a sugar solution supersaturated with sugar, causing minute sugar crystals to form within the syrup, creating an opaque, white, smooth paste. Fudge combines properties of caramel and fondant; vigorous mixing of hot caramel or adding fondant to caramel results in a smooth, crystalline paste upon cooling, giving fudge its characteristic milky flavor and soft texture.13
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