Rockin' the sweetness
So, I keep seeing a lot of things about rock sugar. I want to try it. Can anyone give me tips on it? Anything I should know about it other than – insert rock into cup? Where are good places to buy it? Are there any quality standards or issues I should look for? I’ve been thinking about hitting the local Teavana, but I’m afraid it may be overpriced there…
Suggestions, oh ye of great tea knowledge??
Adagio does sell rock sugar, but Teavana’s is cheaper (yeah, who would have thought?) especially if your order isn’t big enough to qualify for free shipping (or Adagio tacks on the rural surcharge for you) and you can get to a Teavana store.
It does take awhile (AWHILE) to dissolve. It’s annoying. Even with stirring it takes awhile. I wouldn’t use it in a pot I couldn’t stir.
I use splenda at work because it dissolves instantly and at work I’m just looking for a drink. At home I’m looking more for an experience, so rock crystals are fine.
Rural surcharge is a good point. Teavana is 2 hrs away for me. Also keep in mind Adagio’s frequent cup points. Does Teavana have a customer loyalty program?
I have the rock sugar from Teavana and I really like it, BUT I think there is a cheaper alternative that tastes almost the same, but is not as pretty. Buy some demera sugar from the grocery. Same flavor, but not like rocks.
AND—you can use the demera sugar to make delicious homemade ginger snaps.
An acquaintance gave me a really outstanding rock crystal sugar from Germany called kluntjes. These crystals are huge, about a full teaspoon of sugar. You drop them in after the tea is poured, and do not stir. First, they crackle when they hit the hot tea, which is a little entertaining, then they form a layer of sweetness at the bottom of the cup. Yum.
Erm, by rock sugar, is everyone talking about clear, crystal chunks of sugar, like in this photo? (http://indonesianfoodmart.com/catalog/images/products/rocksugar.gif)
Ah, that makes me SO nostalgic…my mother used to buy those at the Indian grocery, and I’d always rip open the package before we even got home. :)
Just wondering, why do people like this better than regular granulated sugar? They’re made from supersaturating a sugar water solution. I read online that they’re have less sweetness per weight because crystals contain water, thus very very (very!) slightly diluting the sweetness. Is the flavor somehow different?
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