Introduction
This webquest will open you up to the world of Victorian Hard Candy making. It is a dying art, and is only practiced in 4 places across America. One of those places happens to be at Lofty Pursuits in Tallahassee, Fl. It is more prominent in Austrailia and Europe.
Throughout the lesson, keep in mind what kind of state the candy must be in to be used. How hot does the sugar have to get? Why does it turn white when stretched?
Task
Watch these videos to get a better handle on what the candy making process is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNZfj05JpLs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3E4yF8fjjs
Your task is to diagram out how the watermelon or lime design is made. What does each piece of the inside of the candy log look like? Choose one design to sketch out.
Process
As you saw from the videos, there is a rather extensive process you must go through to make hard candy.
1. The candy is first cooked to 310 degrees.
2. Flavor is stirred in, and food coloring is added to specific sections of the candy after it is poured.
3. The inside image is then molded by the candy makers. This is a process that takes a couple of months to learn, and it requires a different way of thinking about shapes in relation to 2D images.
How is the image made to run through the entire log? It is your job to figure it out. If needed, watch the video again and try to really understand how the shapes are made and what goes into making the 2D image. Take notes to reference for your own sketch.
Evaluation
You will be evaluated through your sketch of either the watermelon image or the lime image. Your sketch should include:
1. A drawing of each indidivdual piece that goes into making the image as a whole,
2. A means of explaining how the pieces all fit together. This can be through a well written paragraph or a drawn diagram.
3. Sketches should be colored to represent each color used in the candy in the individual videos.
You will email me a picture of your skecthes by the end of the week.
Conclusion
Candy making is a very historical culinary practice. It is not very widespread, but is still a fascinating and delicous part of culinary science. It is important to remember from the videos that candy is a non-Newtonian fluid. This is what make it so easy to shape and mold. Check the sources page for any additional information to the videos.