Difference hard candy vs soft candy?

Here's a breakdown:

Hard Candy:

* Texture: Brittle, hard, and often crackles when bitten.

* Sugar Content: High sugar content with minimal water. This creates a solid structure that doesn't melt easily.

* Ingredients: Usually just sugar, corn syrup, and flavorings.

* Examples: Lollipops, rock candy, butterscotch drops, jawbreakers.

Soft Candy:

* Texture: Chewy, pliable, and melts in your mouth.

* Sugar Content: Lower sugar content, often incorporating more moisture and fat.

* Ingredients: Sugar, corn syrup, fat (like butter or shortening), and often milk or cream.

* Examples: Gummy candies, caramels, marshmallows, fudge, taffy.

Here's a table for easy comparison:

| Feature | Hard Candy | Soft Candy |

|---|---|---|

| Texture | Brittle, hard, crackles | Chewy, pliable, melts |

| Sugar Content | High | Lower |

| Water Content | Low | Higher |

| Ingredients | Sugar, corn syrup, flavoring | Sugar, corn syrup, fat, milk/cream |

| Examples | Lollipops, rock candy | Gummy candies, caramels, marshmallows |

Additional points to consider:

* Cooking Process: Hard candy is cooked to a higher temperature than soft candy. This evaporates more water, resulting in a harder consistency.

* Shelf Life: Hard candy typically has a longer shelf life than soft candy due to its lower moisture content.

Ultimately, the choice between hard and soft candy is a matter of personal preference!