Tag: Sugar crystals

Historically used in traditional remedies and recipes, rock sugar, or rock candy, is a hard confection made by crystallizing sugar syrup. This process gives it a milder sweetness than table sugar, yet many people wonder about its fundamental composition and purported health benefits.

Historically, rock sugar production was discovered by a Chinese monk during the Tang Dynasty, establishing its long-standing presence in Asian culinary traditions. White rock sugar is a purified, crystalline form of sucrose known for its mild, delicate sweetness and unique texture, often used in specific culinary and traditional remedies worldwide.

Historically, crystallized sugar lumps have been used in India and Persia for culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. The other name of Khadi shakkar, a traditional Indian sweetener, is most commonly known as Mishri or rock sugar.

Rock candy's origins can be traced back over a thousand years to ancient India and Iran, where crystallized sugar was initially used for medicinal purposes. This crystalline confection is a sweet treat formed through a simple yet fascinating scientific process involving only a few basic ingredients.

Over 600 million pounds of candy are purchased annually in the United States alone, and much of this is a form of plain sugar candy. A simple yet versatile confection, plain sugar candy refers to sweets made primarily from a cooked mixture of sugar and water, often with minimal additional ingredients. This base can result in a variety of textures and products, from hard rock candy to smooth boiled sweets.

Over the past fifty years, global sugar consumption has tripled, fueling the misconception that certain forms, like rock sugar or 'mishri,' are healthier alternatives. This article explores the scientific truth behind sugar crystals, and whether they offer any real health benefits compared to regular table sugar.

Made from a simple solution of pure sugar and water, rock candy gets its calories directly from its sugar content, with sucrose providing approximately 4 calories per gram. The overall calorie count of rock candy largely depends on its size and form, with portions ranging from 15 to over 80 calories. So, how many calories does rock candy have exactly?

One stick of rock candy can contain anywhere from 50 to 85 calories, depending on its specific weight and size. The precise number for how many calories are in one piece of rock candy is not standardized and depends entirely on the portion size, as the candy is made almost exclusively from sugar.