Origins
Candied sugar has its origins in India and Iran. It has several different names in India among which are: Kallu Sakkare (Kannada), Panakarkandu or Kalkandu (kal – rock, kandu – candy) (Tamil/Malayalam), "khadi sakhar" (Marathi), mishri (Hindi) and kalakanda/patika bellam (Telugu); the Persian word for rock candy is "nabaat". Arabic writers in the first half of the 9th century described the production of candy sugar, where crystals were grown as a result of cooling supersaturated sugar solutions. In order to accelerate crystallization, confectioners later learned to immerse small twigs in the solution for the crystals to grow on. The sugar solution was colored with cochineal and indigo and scented with ambergris or flower essence. In Mexico it is used for Day of the Dead. The children use rock candy to create sugar skulls. In China it is used as a part of traditional Chinese medicine..
Read more about this topic: Rock Candy
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