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CaramelCaramel is a food which has an orange-brown colour and a sweet toasted flavour, derived from the caramelization of sugar. Caramel is used to flavour candy, as well as soft drinks such as Coca-Cola. It is also commonly used as a food colouring (with the E number E150). Caramel can be made from sugar by heating it slowly to around 170°C/340°F. (The particular temperature depends on the sugar. See caramelization). As the sugar melts and approaches this temperature, the molecules break down into other volatile compounds that give it the characteristic caramel colour and flavours. There are also many other ways of making caramel. Various candies, confections, and desserts are made with caramel: barley sugar; caramel and nuts: praline, nougat, brittle; caramel and custard: crème caramel, crème brûlée. The word caramel also describes a soft, chewy, caramel-flavoured candy made by boiling milk and sugar together. Its colour and flavour are due not to caramelization, but to the Stecker degradation or the Maillard reaction, which occurs between an amino acid and a reducing sugar. In the United States, there is a great debate on how to pronounce the word "caramel," with ads and other publications making jests at it. It can be pronounced CARE-a-mell or CAR-mill, either way valid. The rest of the English-speaking world prefers the former of the pronunciations, with the British preferring the pronunciation CAH-ra-mell. Butterscotch Toffee, very similar to caramel candy Carambar, a brand of caramel candy bar Dulce de leche similar to caramel candy, but like a cream Pure Fudge Check out the following recipes that are tagged "Caramel":
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