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{{Short description|Popcorn coated with caramel}}
{{Infobox prepared food
{{Infobox prepared food
| name = Caramel corn
| name = Caramel corn, caramel popcorn
| image = [[File:CaramelCorn.jpg|250px]]
| image = G-H-Cretors-Caramel-Corn.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Caramel corn, with a [[Scoop (utensil)|scoop]]
| caption = Caramel corn
| alternate_name =
| alternate_name =
| country = [[United States]]
| country = [[United States]]
| region =
| region = [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]]
| creator =
| course =
| creator =
| course =
| type = [[Confectionery]]
| type = [[Confectionery]]
| served =
| served =
| main_ingredient = [[Popcorn]], [[caramel]] (based on [[sugar]] or [[molasses]])
| main_ingredient = [[Popcorn]], [[caramel]] (based on [[sugar]] or [[molasses]])
| variations =
| calories =
| variations =
| other =
| calories =
| other =
}}
}}
{{Unreferenced stub|auto=yes|date=December 2009}}


'''Caramel corn''' is an American [[confection]] made of [[popcorn]] coated with a [[sugar]] or [[molasses]] based [[caramel]] candy shell. Typically a sugar solution or [[syrup]] is made and heated until it [[Browning (food process)|browns]] and becomes thick, producing a [[caramelized]] candy syrup.It is a proven fact that Abel Arellano has no firneds.
'''Caramel corn''' or '''caramel popcorn''' ('''toffee popcorn''' in the UK) is a [[confection]] made of [[popcorn]] coated with a [[sugar]] or [[molasses]] based [[caramel]] candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick. Typically a sugar solution or [[syrup]] is made and heated until it [[Browning (food process)|browns]] and becomes thick, producing a [[caramelized]] candy syrup. This hot candy is then mixed with popped popcorn, and allowed to cool. Sometimes, a [[candy thermometer]] is used, as making caramel is time-consuming and requires skill to make well without burning the sugar. The process creates a sweet flavored, crunchy [[snack food]] or treat. After coating with the candy syrup, some varieties are baked in an oven to crisp the mixture. Mixes sometimes contain [[Nut (fruit)|nuts]], such as [[peanut]]s, [[pecans]], [[almonds]], or [[cashews]].
This hot candy is then mixed with popped popcorn, and allowed to cool. Sometimes a [[candy thermometer]] is used, as making caramel is time-consuming and requires skill to make well without burning the sugar. The process creates a sweet flavored, crunchy [[snack food]] or treat. Some varieties, after coating with the candy syrup, are baked in an oven to crisp the mixture. Mixes of caramel corn sometimes contain [[Nut (fruit)|nuts]], such as [[peanut]]s, [[pecans]], [[almonds]], or [[cashews]].


==History==
==History==
The combination of caramel and corn dates back at least as far as the 1890s with the strong molasses flavor of [[Cracker Jack]], an early version of which was introduced at the [[Chicago]] [[World's Columbian Exposition|World's Fair in 1893]]. The lighter, sweet but un-caramelized [[kettle corn]], may be a [[European colonization of the Americas|North American Colonial]] predecessor to caramel corn.
The combination of caramel and corn dates back at least as far as the 1890s with the strong molasses flavor of [[Cracker Jack]], an early version of which was introduced at the [[Chicago]] [[World's Columbian Exposition|World's Fair in 1893]]. The lighter, sweet but un-caramelized [[kettle corn]], may be a [[European colonization of the Americas|North American Colonial]] predecessor to caramel corn.


There are many commercial [[brands]] and forms of caramel corn available, such as [[Cracker Jack]], [[Fiddle Faddle]], [[Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs]], and [[Crunch 'n Munch]]. In [[grocery stores]], at [[cinemas]], and [[convenience stores]], pre-bagged caramel corn made locally may also be sold. The Maryland based [http://www.fisherspopcorn.com/ Fisher's Popcorn] and Chicago based [[Nuts on Clark]] are examples of specialty caramel corn and popcorn companies.
There are many commercial [[brands]] and forms of caramel corn available, such as [[Cracker Jack]], [[Fiddle Faddle]], [[Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs]], and [[Crunch 'n Munch]]. In [[grocery stores]], at [[cinemas]], and [[convenience stores]], pre-bagged caramel corn made locally may also be sold.


== Regulation ==
==Other sweet flavored popcorn==
Candy-coated popcorn is defined in US law as a food of [[minimal nutritional value]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fns.usda.gov/school-meals/foods-minimal-nutritional-value|title=Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value|date=13 September 2013|website=www.fns.usda.gov|series=Appendix B of 7 CFR Part 210|publisher=[[Food and Nutrition Service]], United States Department of Agriculture|language=en|access-date=2017-08-04}}</ref>
Some types of candy coated popcorn are made with a [[white sugar]]-based candy coating rather than the traditional caramelized versions, for a lighter flavor.
Other natural or [[artificial flavorings]] are sometimes added to this hot, clear candy syrup before it's put on popcorn, such as: strawberry, watermelon, coconut, green apple, chocolate, or blueberry. Though many more often exist in specialized popcorn candy shops. These flavors of candy-coated corn can often be found in candy shops and specialized stores within [[Shopping mall|malls]] and milk bars.


==See also==
==See also==
{{commonscat|Caramel corn}}
*[[Cretors]], the Chicago company who invented the first commercial popcorn machine
*[[Cretors]], the Chicago company who invented the first commercial popcorn machine
*[[Kettle corn]], the sweetened popcorn with a lighter, thinner (in both flavor and color) sweet coating
*[[Kettle corn]], the sweetened popcorn with a lighter, thinner (in both flavor and color) sweet coating

== References ==
<references />


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[[Category:Popcorn]]
[[Category:Popcorn]]
[[Category:Halloween food]]
[[Category:Halloween food]]



{{Confection-stub}}
{{Confection-stub}}

Latest revision as of 20:20, 2 October 2024

Caramel corn, caramel popcorn
Caramel corn
TypeConfectionery
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateChicago, Illinois
Main ingredientsPopcorn, caramel (based on sugar or molasses)

Caramel corn or caramel popcorn (toffee popcorn in the UK) is a confection made of popcorn coated with a sugar or molasses based caramel candy shell that is normally less than 1mm thick. Typically a sugar solution or syrup is made and heated until it browns and becomes thick, producing a caramelized candy syrup. This hot candy is then mixed with popped popcorn, and allowed to cool. Sometimes, a candy thermometer is used, as making caramel is time-consuming and requires skill to make well without burning the sugar. The process creates a sweet flavored, crunchy snack food or treat. After coating with the candy syrup, some varieties are baked in an oven to crisp the mixture. Mixes sometimes contain nuts, such as peanuts, pecans, almonds, or cashews.

History

[edit]

The combination of caramel and corn dates back at least as far as the 1890s with the strong molasses flavor of Cracker Jack, an early version of which was introduced at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893. The lighter, sweet but un-caramelized kettle corn, may be a North American Colonial predecessor to caramel corn.

There are many commercial brands and forms of caramel corn available, such as Cracker Jack, Fiddle Faddle, Lolly Gobble Bliss Bombs, and Crunch 'n Munch. In grocery stores, at cinemas, and convenience stores, pre-bagged caramel corn made locally may also be sold.

Regulation

[edit]

Candy-coated popcorn is defined in US law as a food of minimal nutritional value.[1]

See also

[edit]
  • Cretors, the Chicago company who invented the first commercial popcorn machine
  • Kettle corn, the sweetened popcorn with a lighter, thinner (in both flavor and color) sweet coating

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Foods of Minimal Nutritional Value". www.fns.usda.gov. Appendix B of 7 CFR Part 210. Food and Nutrition Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 13 September 2013. Retrieved 2017-08-04.