Why is it better to make candy in the winter?
That’s why dry days are recommended for candy making, although the effects of humidity can be somewhat counterbalanced by cooking the candy to the upper end of the appropriate temperature stage. Cool weather is also recommended for candy making, because—generally—the faster candy cools, the less chance it has to form unwanted crystals.
How does weather affect candy-making?
As a rule of thumb, only make candy when the weather is cool and dry, as the candy will cool faster and reduce the likelihood of crystal formation. Remember, high-humidity days can occur during the winter as well as summer. A drop in barometric pressure can also negatively impact the candy-making process, particularly at high altitudes.
What kind of weather do you need to make candy?
Tips for Making Candy. Humidity is the enemy of candy makers. The perfect candy-making climate has a relative humidity of less than 35 percent. But if you live in an area that's hardly ever that dry, you can always use your air conditioner or a dehumidifier for about a day or so before making candy.
How can I prevent the weather from interfering with my candy-making?
We've got advice to help prevent the weather from interfering. Humidity is the enemy of candy makers. The perfect candy-making climate has a relative humidity of less than 35 percent. But if you live in an area that's hardly ever that dry, you can always use your air conditioner or a dehumidifier for about a day or so before making candy.
What weather is best for candy making?
Cool weather is also recommended for candy making, because—generally—the faster candy cools, the less chance it has to form unwanted crystals.
Can you make candy in rainy weather?
It's best to make candy on a cool, dry day. If it's humid or rainy, the candy might end up with a more sugary, grainy texture. If you are making candy on a hot or humid day, cook the candy until the thermometer registers 1 to 2 degrees higher than the recipe specifies.
Why is it difficult to make candy on a humid day?
When the weather is hot or humid, it can take longer for the candy to cool or it can absorb excess moisture from the air, which might cause the sugar to crystallize or the texture to soften instead of becoming hard and crisp.
Does weather Affect fudge making?
Absolutely! Weather greatly affects our fudge. Cold weather and/or low humidity makes the harder outer shell more pronounced and the fudge less moist. Hot and/or humid weather makes the shell less effective and the interior of the fudge more creamy.
Is it OK to make fudge on a rainy day?
Avoid making fudge on a humid or rainy day. On humid days, the candy mixture can start reabsorbing moisture from the air. This will make your fudge softer than you would like it to be. It's recommended that you make fudge on dry days when the humidity is low.
Will fudge set on a rainy day?
When making Fudge on a damp, humid day it will need to boil to a higher temperature in the pan and when it's left to cool and set it will be a little softer. That doesn't mean you can't make Fudge on a damp, humid day! You can make Fudge all year round.
Why is temperature important in candy?
The highest temperature that the sugar syrup reaches during its cooking process tells you what the syrup will be like when it cools. In fact, that's how the standard stages of sugar cooking are titled: by the end result. For example, at 235° F, the syrup is at the “soft-ball” stage.
How does barometric pressure affect candy making?
Check the Barometric Pressure Prior to Making Candy Because the air pressure at higher altitudes is much lower than at sea level, it lowers the boiling point of water. This will have a direct effect on how quickly water in syrup evaporates during candy making.
Does humidity affect cotton candy?
Will Cotton Candy Melt? Cotton candy will melt when fully exposed to open air and should not be left out more than ten to twenty minutes. Humidity in the air will begin to melt cotton candy immediately, the higher the humidity, the faster this process will start.
What is the best weather to make fudge?
A temperature of between 112 and 114 °C (234 and 237 °F) must be maintained. This will ensure the fudge has the ideal concentration of water and sugar.
What is the secret to perfect fudge?
Here are some tips to help you make your best fudge:Too big is better than too small. There needs to be a lot of extra space in the saucepan you choose to make your fudge in to give the ingredients room to expand. ... Check the consistency. ... Stop stirring. ... Don't try to salvage all of it. ... If you want to forego sugar crystals.
Why is my homemade fudge soft?
Fudge will be soft if the temperature of the mixture or the amount of time that it is boiled is not correct. Most fudge recipes specify the exact temperature that the mixture must reach. If it is not boiled long enough or does not get hot enough, the result will be soft fudge.
Can you make candy when the humidity is high?
This produces a softer product than may be desirable. For best results, restrict candy making to days when the relative humidity is below 35 percent.
Does humidity affect cotton candy?
Will Cotton Candy Melt? Cotton candy will melt when fully exposed to open air and should not be left out more than ten to twenty minutes. Humidity in the air will begin to melt cotton candy immediately, the higher the humidity, the faster this process will start.
Why is temperature important in candy?
The highest temperature that the sugar syrup reaches during its cooking process tells you what the syrup will be like when it cools. In fact, that's how the standard stages of sugar cooking are titled: by the end result. For example, at 235° F, the syrup is at the “soft-ball” stage.
What does the humidity need to be to make fudge?
No MATTER how long you cook. Humidity has to be fairly low when making old fashion candy. I just don't know exactly how low. I wait until it's down to 45% .
Why is candy softer on humid days?
On a humid day, once the candy has cooled to the point where it is no longer evaporating moisture into the air, it can actually start reabsorbing moisture from the air. This can make the resulting candy softer than it is supposed to be.
Why do you need dry days for candy making?
Cool weather is also recommended for candy making, because—generally—the faster candy cools, the less chance it has to form unwanted crystals.
Why do you cook hard candy at 2 degrees?
Because excessive softness in candy is the result of high relative humidity, you can also cook hard candies, such as peanut brittle, to 2 degrees higher than the temperature your recipe calls for. The additional 2 degrees in cooking temperature will compensate for moisture in the air. Lemon-Pistachio Nougat Recipe.
How much humidity is needed to make candy?
The perfect candy-making climate has a relative humidity of less than 35 percent. But if you live in an area that's hardly ever that dry, you can always use your air conditioner or a dehumidifier for about a day or so before making candy.
Why do you need dry days for candy making?
Cool weather is also recommended for candy making, because—generally—the faster candy cools, the less chance it has to form unwanted crystals.
What does it mean to cook candy syrup?
Cooking candy syrup to the desired temperature means achieving a certain ratio of sugar to moisture in the candy. On a humid day, once the candy has cooled to the point where it is no longer evaporating moisture into the air, it can actually start reabsorbing moisture from the air.
How much humidity is good for caramels?
Just did some research as I'm making caramels, which hate humidity. It said approximately 35% or less is best. If that isn't feasible run your A/C unit a day or two before. I would assume a good dehumidifier would work, too. Personally, I'll keep waiting for a low humidity day.
Why is my heater on but it's raining outside?
If it's raining outside but the heater is on because it's also cold outside, it's probably very dry inside.
Is it dry inside if it's raining outside?
If it's raining outside but the heater is on because it's also cold outside, it's probably very dry inside. So the advice is very vague. It would be far better to make a statement about the relative humidity in the vacinity of the candy, which is not the same as outside and need not be the same as the kitchen in general.
Can you use a candy thermometer to measure humidity?
Just as you can use a candy thermometer instead of relying on expert knowledge of indirect observations, you can get one or more cheap digital thermometer/humidity meters. You can position these (after making sure a cheap one is accurate via the salt water tupperware test) where you’re working, and collect precise advice on how the relative humidity and temperature where the bowl is affect the recipe.
