Traditional boiled sweets - hard candies, often featuring a chewy core, are crafted using time-honored methods that include the use of copper pans for boiling. This classic confectionery item is frequently made by adding natural flavourings and colorings to granulated sugar that has been boiled.
The copper pans are essential as they offer uniform heat distribution, which is crucial for the sweet's texture. Once the sugar mixture cools, it undergoes a manual pulling process, which helps in achieving the desired consistency and sheen.
The sweets are often flavoured with fruit extracts and colored with natural substances like beetroot juice or turmeric. Corn syrup or golden syrup may also be used to enhance the texture. A sweet thermometer and pulling hooks can further assist in achieving the perfect boiled sweet.