How Do You Make Sugar Crystals On A Stick?
Making sugar crystals on a stick, or rock candy, is a staple of home candy making in many parts of the world. It is also a study in the scientific principal of self-assembly, where raw materials are introduced to an environment and they combine into a structure on their own. Making sugar crystals on a stick is a fun activity for kids. It also teaches them patience while waiting for the sugar molecules to bind together on the rough surface of the string and then onto each other. Checking the daily progress of the sugar formation is exciting. Bring a medium size saucepan of water to a boil. Add sugar slowly while stirring with a wooden spoon until no more sugar will dissolve. Continue stirring while heating until all sugar has dissolved. Add more water as needed if all the sugar will not dissolve. Use a candy thermometer to monitor when the temperature of the mixture reaches 200 degrees. Add food coloring if desired. Turn off the burner after the mixture reaches a boil and allow it to co
