Tips for breaking up large pieces of rock candy

Nowadays, many families no longer buy machine-ground rock sugar blocks, but instead buy large blocks of cylindrical rock sugar. This kind of rock sugar has not been ground but is formed into granules, so it is difficult to completely knock it open and it is very hard to bite with teeth. In fact, if you want to break up large blocks of rock sugar, you might as well learn these techniques. These techniques can make the rock sugar melt quickly and at the same time make it into the shape we want.

Microwave to help break up large chunks of rock candy

Method : Put the rock sugar into the microwave, set to medium-high heat, and heat for 10 to 15 seconds depending on the size of the rock sugar cubes; take out the rock sugar and gently break it with your hands, and it will break into pieces.

Special reminder : 1. Heat egg-sized rock sugar over medium-high heat for 10 seconds. If it is larger than an egg, heat it for 15 seconds. Don't leave it on for too long, otherwise it will melt.

2. If your microwave oven is old-fashioned and does not have an electronic time display, you need to keep an eye on the time yourself.

3. Nowadays, many microwave ovens are equipped with computer boards and cannot adjust the firepower. However, the default setting for this type of microwave oven is generally "medium-high fire" or "high fire". The specific situation depends on the "temperament" of your own microwave oven.

How to choose rock sugar

Transparent rock sugar is of the best quality, pure, with few impurities and a sweet taste. It is better to choose and buy the yellowish naturally crystallized tower ice. The whiter it is, the more processing it has gone through. If it is too refined, it is not the best rock sugar. Translucent ones are second best.

Is there a difference between large and small rock candy?

There are two forms of rock sugar on the market, one is "small pieces" of single crystal rock sugar, and the other is "large pieces" of polycrystalline rock sugar, which mainly depends on the different production processes.

Regarding the question of "Which type of rock sugar is better", both single crystal and polycrystalline rock sugar are made from sugar and have the same nutritional value. However, due to the different crystallization processes, the purity of single crystal rock sugar is slightly higher. Chinese medicine believes that rock sugar has the effects of moistening the lungs, relieving coughs, clearing phlegm, and removing internal heat. There was once a saying that single crystal rock sugar does not have the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine, but this is just a rumor and has not been confirmed by the medical community.

In addition, rock sugar also plays the role of "sugar color" in cooking. When frying "sugar color", choose polycrystalline rock sugar, which tastes more natural. Moreover, small pieces of single crystal rock sugar are easier to melt at the same temperature, which makes them more convenient in cooking. In addition, if you make soups such as rock sugar bird's nest at home, large pieces of rock sugar need to be broken into pieces, which is very troublesome. Single crystal rock sugar is more convenient.

How to eat rock sugar

Sugar is easy to breed mites. Sugar that has been stored for a long time should not be eaten raw, but should be boiled before eating.

1. Rock sugar can be used as candy or as snacks. The most famous snack is Tanghulu, which is made of plums or hawthorns wrapped in rock sugar. However, the sugar used to make candied haws is merely boiled sugar and does not have as high a sugar content as real rock sugar.

2. Rock sugar can be used to cook soups, stews or desserts; the famous "Ring Sugar Xianglian" is a delicacy of Hunan cuisine among the eight major cuisines. There are also dishes such as "Rock Sugar Snow Pear" and "Rock Sugar Bird's Nest".