RCI-DS.003.0271.001
Rock Candy
Greetings! You have just entered a food thread that is also for SCIENCE, as we experiment in creating the fabulous treat known as rock candy.
Prep15 min
Cook30 min
Total45 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate
Ingredients
- empty clean glass jar (the taller and skinnier the better)1 unit
- pencil1 unit
- paperclip1 unit
- of clean cotton string1 piece
- 1 cup
- 2-3 cups
- time machine1 unit
- sheet of plastic wrap or wax paper1 unit
- candy thermometer (optional)1 unit
Method
1
Pour water into a pot and heat until it reaches a boil.
5 minutes
2
Add granulated sugar to the boiling water, stirring constantly until fully dissolved, working in batches if necessary to dissolve 2-3 cups of sugar completely.
3
Remove the pot from heat and allow the sugar solution to cool for 5-10 minutes until it reaches a safe temperature to handle.
4
Tie one end of the cotton string to a pencil and secure the paperclip to the other end of the string as a weight.
5
Pour the cooled sugar solution carefully into the clean glass jar, filling it nearly to the top.
6
Position the pencil across the mouth of the jar so the string hangs down into the sugar solution, with the paperclip weight suspending the string without touching the jar's bottom or sides.
7
Cover the jar loosely with plastic wrap or wax paper to protect from dust while allowing slow evaporation.
8
Place the jar in a quiet, undisturbed location away from vibrations and temperature fluctuations for 7-14 days, checking daily for crystal growth.
9
Once crystals reach desired size, carefully remove the string and allow it to dry on a clean surface before breaking apart or serving.