Caramel
A colorant that is an amorphous, dark brown product resulting from the controlled heat treatment of carbohydrates such as dextrose, sucrose, and malt syrup. It is available in liquid and powdered forms, providing shades of brown. In coloring a food with caramel, the food components must have the same charge as the particles of caramel, otherwise the particles will attract one another and precipitate out. Caramel can exist as several types, for example, acid-proof caramel of negative charge which is used in carbonated beverages, acidified solutions, bakers’ and confectioners’ caramel which are used in baked goods; and dried caramel for dry mixes.
Major uses are in coloring beverages such as colas and root beers and
in baked goods.
Caramel is a beige to dark-brown confectionery product made by heating any of a variety of sugars.
It is used:
as a flavoring in puddings and desserts
as a filling in bonbons
as a topping for ice cream and custard
The process of caramelization consists of heating sugar slowly to around 170 °C (340 °F). As the sugar heats, the molecules break down and re-form into compounds with a characteristic color and flavor.
A variety of candies, desserts, and confections are made with caramel: brittles, nougats, pralines, crème brûlée, crème caramel, and caramel apples. Ice creams sometimes are flavored with or contain swirls of caramel.
Read More at Wikipedia
