We all enjoy cotton candy and consider this tasty delicious fluffy treat as a hallmark of every fair, circus or carnival. However how many of us have really taken time to think about what story existed behind such a mouthwatering treat?
Genesis of cotton candy can be traced back in the 15th century where cane sugar and beet sugar was whirled into blown glass like strands. Though a far cry from today’s thin wisps, they were considered a preserve of the noble members of the society. The knowledge on how to make cotton candy in those days was largely due to the chef’s desire to come out with extravagant desserts recipes to please their employers.
The basic recipes of cotton candy have largely remained the same, namely sugar, water, flavor and coloring, though the process of preparation has radically changed. On one hand the the process was hazardous in nature and cooks were prone to accidents such as burns and on the other they were expected to use the best sugar quality and copper made pots, and work at an incredible speed in order to achieve the desired results. They had to juggle many tasks at the same time such as heating the mixture to attain the correct texture and flipping it into the air while still hot. This was intended to quickly cool the mixture, so that it could solidify into strands which would later be woven into fancy designs.
The ingredients might have stayed the same over the years but the art of making cotton candy would see drastic improvements from 1897. In 1904 two Tennessee residents by the name of John C. Wharton and William Morrison invented the very first cotton candy machine. The gentlemen knew that their product would be in demand so they got a patent on the machine. Next they set up shop at the Saint Louis State Fair and showed everyone how to make cotton candy with the help of a machine and sold it as fairy floss in wooden boxes. Even though the gentlemen knew their invention would be huge they could not believe the sales figures that came through.
Everyone knows that once something is invented that there will be people trying to come up with something better that will make the task at hand even easier. Thomas Patton did just that with the cotton candy machine he invented for Ringling Brother Circus Company. The machine was such a hit at the circus that today it is still used to make cotton candy for serving to the guests.
Cotton candy of America remain still unchanged, however the fairy floss of Britain got replaced by the candy floss. The improvement that happened related to the process of “how to make cotton candy” after the First World War was the use of granulated sugar. Use of such sugar ensured the makers to spin long strands of cotton thus making the candy fluffier and tastier and much closer to how we know it today.
The vast improvement of the machines over the years has made it easier for anyone to make cotton candy. When cotton candy first started out the color was white and every once in a while you could find the candy being tan. Over the years though, the candy has come to life in a variety of different colors. You can purchase the candy in a light pink, bright yellow, screaming green, or even a deep purple.
As the generations of people crave different flavors over the years the vendors have to be able to supply these flavors in order to sell their products. So to the technique of how to make cotton candy, exciting flavors have been added. When learning how to make cotton candy you can add flavors such as maple, ice cream, or even have the candy taste like bubblegum yum! Even though cotton candy machines are in use today to make it easier for creating the candy, you can still get a small burn once in a while. But thankfully it is nothing like when the candy first made its appearance in the 15th century.
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