Summary
Nature is filled with some of the finest factor that make up many of your preferred sweet treats . From licorice twist to Eucalyptus amygdalina sticks , there are all sorts ofsweet plantsrequired in the process ofmaking candy .
Whether forcible component of the plant life are used directly , like farewell and stems , or extracts are created from cum pods or stem , plants are extremely valuable inproviding angelic aromaand tasty flavor . This is becausecandy plants , which aresweet plantsthat by nature contain sugary compounds , can be processed to build up all sorts of texture , consistencies , and flavors , that make modern - day candy so enjoyable to eat .
Many types ofsweet plantshave been used for centuries in various culture around the humankind to make sweet goody . It ’s also likely you ’ll findmany ingredientssourced fromcandy plantsin your own pantry or kitchen cupboards at home . Come let on six deliciouscandy plantsthat are staple in create some of themost democratic candyvarieties you have a go at it !
Image credits:Jiri Hera via Shutterstock
1Licorice(Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Individual roots are filled with sweet flavor and a fennel-like aroma
First up on the list ofcandy plantsis liquorice ! The licorice plant is a central element in the yield of licorice confect , one of themost popular candyvarieties dating back thousands of years . Theplant ’s rootis harvested and processed to extract its sweet , redolent flavouring , remindful of anise seed or fennel . This excerpt is then mixed with moolah and a binding factor such as starch , flour , or gelatin to create licorice candy . Licorice candy is of course black , but food dyes are often added to make licorice treats in substitute colors , like red , cyan blue , Battle of Magenta pinko , and yellow .
Licorice candy hasa productive historythat date back to ancient Egypt , where it was extremely sought - after andused to make a sweet potable , known as Mai Sus , for the pharaohs !
2Ginger(Zingiber officinale)
Grows an underground stem that’s chewy and flavorful when dried
When it comes tomaking candy , ginger is another one of thesweet plantsthat ’s favored for its sweet flavor and chewy texture . Ginger plantsare herbaceous perennial that produce a rhizome , or underground base . This rootstalk is the part of the plant that ’s used to make candied ginger . To make this sweet treat , the ginger rhizome is harvested , dried , cooked , and then cover in pelf . It ’s often cut into lean strips or chomp - sized pieces afterward to aid make it gentle and pleasurable to eat .
Ginger candy is one of the confection that can in reality begood for you , as itcontains a potent anti - inflammatory federal agent called gingerols , which can helpalleviate digestive take , nausea , passing of appetite , and question sickness !
3Peppermint(Mentha x piperita)
Leaves are processed to extract a refreshing, minty oil that’s used for flavoring
Peppermint is also one of thesweet plantsused in make some of themost popular candyvarieties , like intimation mint , chewing gum , and peppermint sticks or candy canes . In traditional peppermint candy candy - making , peppermint leaves are typically used when they are picked brisk to flavor the candy . However , nowadays , peppermint extract or oilis often used instead of reinvigorated leaves . This allows for a consistent flavor profile and easier aggregative product . The excerpt or oil is typically derived from the leaves and flowers of the red gum plant .
Though peppermint is typically the most common type of mint used formaking candy , Maroc peck , chocolate mint , spearmint , and pineapple mintare also democratic in confect fashioning around the public !
4Cacao(Theobroma cacao)
Grows beans that go through fermenting, roasting, blending, and sweetening
Cacao trees are very valuablecandy plant , as theyproduce large come podsor noggin , that are staple ingredients for one of themost popular candyvarieties in the humankind , chocolate ! Once cacao beans are harvested , they need to be ferment , dried , roast , and ground into a fine pulverization . The resulting cocoa pulverization is then immix with cacao butter , coconut oil colour , andvarious sugars , sweeteners , and flavour agents to create Theobroma cacao paste . This spread is used as the base for various chocolate kickshaw , and can be harden to bring out items such as chocolate bars , or melt at high-pitched temperature to the chocolate mizzle that ’s often found on point like cookies and unfermented pretzels .
A mature Theobroma cacao tree diagram can grow up to 6000 flowers , but only about 20 pods . Ittakes approximately 1200 seed , tantamount to 40 pods or 2 entire trees , to farm 2.2 dog pound of cacao tree library paste !
5Vanilla(Vanilla planifolia)
Produces pods full of sweet and fragrant flavor compounds
Vanilla plants are verysweet plants ! The beans or seed pods they produce are used as the primary source of vanilla flavoring inmaking candy . Vanilla feel can be found in everything from trash cream , cookies , and chocolate bars , to caramel , fudge , and taffy . Once they ’re harvested , vanilla beans aredried and curedto help them train their full flavor and sweet , creamy smell . To make vanilla infusion , which is typically what ’s used inmaking candy , vanilla bean necessitate to becooked and celebrate in a pee - alcohol solvent anywhere from six calendar month to up to a year long !
The master look compound in vanilla extract , that give it its creamy and rich depth , includevanillin and coumarin !
6Stevia(Stevia rebaudiana)
Over 200 times sweeter than regular white cane sugar
Stevia plants are very worthful in the world ofmaking candy . The leaves of thesesweet plantscontain of course perfumed compounds calledsteviol glycoside , which are up to400 times sweeterthan white sugar cane crystals ! In improver , these stevia compounds contain zero calorie anddon’t shock line of descent kale levels , so it ’s an ideal stand-in for regular dough in candy output . In fact , stevia is found in all sorts of sweet treat that are consider healthier , such as keto - friendly earthnut butter cups , manducate gum , and gluey bears .
To make stevia sweetener , stevia leaves need to be dried out and then they are processed into either a powder or fluid shape . In add-on , to help check any caustic sapidity compound from the plant are removed , the leaves are turn . unrest is a key part of the manufacturing appendage of stevia , as it help the final product have a very pure and even sweetness profile .
If you ’re looking through ingredient lists or look for stevia at the grocery store , make a note that stevia - free-base come-on are often sold under various names , such ashoney leaf plant , sweet-flavored chrysanthemum , and sugarleaf !
Image credits:Scisetti Alfio via Shutterstock
These sixsweet plantscontribute to the plentiful flavor and delicious aroma that ’s often determine in some of themost democratic candyfrom all around the world . When it comes tomaking candyin modern - day , thesecandy plantsare what make it possible to enjoy yourfavorite sweet treats , like licorice twist , glaze gingerroot , chewy caramel , and colourful gummy bears . So the next time you ’re jaw on a burnt umber bar or biting into a peanut butter loving cup , take a minute to be thankful for cacao tree , stevia leave , and all the other diversecandy plantswhere all the sweetness comes from !
Image credits:NADKI via Shutterstock
Image credits:5 second Studio via Shutterstock
Image credits:Sebastian Duda via Shutterstock
Image credits:Jiri Hera via Shutterstock
Image credits:Dionisvera via Shutterstock
