A hard candy, or boiled sweet, is a sugar candy prepared from one or more sugar-based syrups that is boiled to a temperature of 160 °C (320 °F) to make candy. Among the many hard candy varieties are stick candy (such as the candy cane), lollipops, aniseed twists, and bêtises de Cambrai.
Hard candy is nearly 100% sugar by weight; Recipes for hard candy may use syrups of sucrose, glucose, fructose or other sugars. Sugar-free versions have also been created.
Once the syrup blend reaches the target temperature, the candy maker removes it from the heat source and may add citric acid, food dye, and some flavouring, such as a plant extract, essential oil, or flavorant. The syrup concoction, which is now very thick, can be poured into a mold or tray to cool. When the syrup is cool enough to handle, it can be folded, rolled, or molded into the shapes desired. After the boiled syrup cools, it is called hard candy, since it becomes stiff and brittle as it approaches room temperature.
Chemistry
Chemically, sugar candies are broadly divided into two groups: crystalline candies and amorphous candies.[1] Crystalline candies are not as hard as crystals of the mineral variety, but derive their name and their texture from their microscopically organized sugar structure, formed through a process of crystallization, which makes them easy to bite or cut into. Amorphous candies have a disorganized crystalline structure. Hard candies are non-crystalline, amorphous candies containing about 98% (or more) solid sugar.[2]
Medicinal use
Hard candies are historically associated with cough drops, both because sucking on sugar candy is comfortable for a sore throat, and also because many apothecaries used sugar candy to make their prescriptions more palatable to their customers. Also carried by people with hypoglycemia to quickly raise their low blood sugar level which can sometimes lead to fainting and other physical complications, and also part of diabetic management.