Chapter 12 - Basic Syrups, Creams, and Sauces Flashcards
What does syrup strength refer to?
Syrup Strength is an indication of the concentration of sugar in a solution. Sugar concentration is increased by dissolving sugar in boiling water (or other liquid) and then letting the water boil out/evaporate.
Define: Caramelize
To turn sugar into caramel by means of heat.
Define: Caramelization
The browning of sugars caused by heat.
What determines the hardness of a syrup?
The temperature at which it is cooked will determine the hardness. Cooking to higher temperatures will result in a harder syrup than cooking to a lower temperature.
How much sugar can be dissolved in 1 pound of water?
3-4 pounds of sugar
What causes graininess in many candies and desserts?
Crystallization of sugar. This is when sugar becomes tiny crystals instead of staying dissolved.
How can crystalization be avoided when boiling syrups?
Crystallization can be avoided by either washing the sides of the saucepan with a brush dipped in water or by placing a lid on the boiling pot for several minutes at the beginning of the boiling process so that the steam washes down the sides.
What is inverted sugar and how can it be produced in sugar syrup?
Inverted sugar is a mixture of two simple sugars, dextrose and levulose, resulting from the breakdown of sucrose. This process occurs when a sucrose solution is heated with an acid (such as lemon juice or cream of tartar). The result is an invert sugar that resists crystallization.
List the stages of doneness in sugar cooking and the temperature at which they occur.
Thread - 110C Soft Ball - 115C Firm Ball - 118C Hard Ball - 122-127C Small Crack - 130-132C Crack - 135-138C Hark Crack - 143-155C Caramel - 160-170C
Define: Simple Syrup
A solution of equal parts of sugar and water. It can be used for diluting fondant or for preparing a variety of dessert syrups.
Define: Dessert Syrup
A flavoured simple syrup. It is used to moisten and flavour sponge cakes and various desserts.
How do temperature and sugar concentration change as water is boiled off a sugar syrup?
As water is boiled off a sugar syrup the temperature gradually increases and the concentration of sugar also increases until what is left is all melted sugar.
What are 4 of the 9 guidelines that should be followed when whipping cream?
1) Cream should be at least a day old.
2) Chill the cream and all the equipment thoroughly.
3) Use a wire whip to whip by hand or a whip attachment at medium speed.
4) If the cream is to be sweetened, use extra fine granulated sugar or, for best stability, sifted icing sugar.
5) When sweetening the cream add the sugar near the end once soft peaks have formed.
6) Do not overwhip! Stop once the cream forms peaks that hold their shape.
7) Slightly under beat cream that is to be folded into other ingredients.
8) Fold in flavourings last, after the cream is whipped.
9) Store whipped cream covered in the refrigerator if not going to be used immediately.
What is the preferred percentage for whipping creams?
35-36%
How much whipped cream does 1-quart cream produce?
2-2 1/2 quarts
Define: Creme Chantilly
Sweetened whipped cream, flavoured with vanilla.
Define: Meringue
A thick white foam made of egg whites and sugar. They can be used for pie tops or cake icings, but are also commonly used to lighten buttercreams and mousses. They can also be baked in a slow oven to form cake layers or pastry shells.
What are the 3 basic meringues?
1) Common Meringue
2) Swiss Meringue
3) Italian Meringue
Define: Common Meringue
Also called a French Meringue, this meringue is made from room temperature egg whites beaten with sugar. Due to the high percentage of sugar, this meringue is reasonably stable.
Define: Swiss Meringue
A meringue made from egg whites and sugar that are warmed over a hot-water bath while they are beaten. Warming gives the meringue better stability and volume.
Define: Italian Meringue
A meringue made by beating a hot sugar syrup into egg whites already beaten to soft peaks. This meringue is the most stable due to the cooking of the egg whites with the syrup. When flavoured with vanilla, this meringue is also known as a boiled icing.
Define: Soft Meringue
Soft meringues are made with as little as 1 pound of sugar per pound of egg white (or a 1:1 ratio of sugar to egg whites) and are usually used for pie toppings.
Define: Hard Meringue
Hard meringues are made with twice as much sugar as egg whites (or a 2:1 ratio of sugar to egg whites) and are often baked until crisp and used for cake layers.
What are the 5 guidelines for making meringue?
1) Fats prevent whites from foaming properly.
2) Room temperature egg whites foam better than cold ones.
3) Do not overbeat. The eggs should look moist and shiny not dry and curdled.
4) Sugar makes egg white foams more stable. However, they can only hold so much so anything above a 1:1 ratio should be folded in after whipping.
5) Mild acids help foaming and increases volume and stability. This is especially helpful when meringues are used for leavening and lightness in other products.
