Toffee

Toffee is a type of confectionery that is made by caramelizing sugar or molasses (creating invert sugar) along with butter, and occasionally flour. The mixture is heated until its temperature reaches the hard crack stage of 149 to 154 °C (300 to 310 °F). While being prepared, toffee is sometimes mixed with nuts or raisins.

History

The origins of toffee are somewhat obscure, but it is generally believed to have been invented in the early 19th century in England. The word "toffee" is thought to be derived from "tafia," a type of cheap rum that was used in early recipes. However, other theories suggest that the word "toffee" comes from the Creole word for a mixture of sugar and molasses.

Preparation

To make toffee, sugar and butter are heated together until the mixture caramelizes, which gives toffee its distinctive rich, brown color. The temperature of the mixture is carefully monitored during cooking, as it needs to reach the hard crack stage to achieve the correct consistency. Once the toffee mixture has reached the desired temperature, it is poured into a shallow tray and allowed to cool and harden.

Varieties

There are many different varieties of toffee, including:

• Butter toffee: This is a very rich type of toffee that includes a higher proportion of butter. It is often used in the making of toffee apples.

• English toffee: This is a buttery toffee that is often made with almonds. It is very popular in the United States.

• Honeycomb toffee: Also known as cinder toffee, this is a light, crunchy toffee that is made with golden syrup and bicarbonate of soda.

In popular culture

Toffee has been featured in various forms of media and popular culture. For example, it is the favorite treat of the character Willy Wonka in the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. In addition, toffee apples are a traditional treat enjoyed on Bonfire Night in the United Kingdom.

See also

• Caramel
• Candy
• Fudge