Cotton Candy Machine: The Chronicle of Cotton Candy and How This Spun Sugar Confection is Made

Most Americans remember reach up to grab huge swirls of pink cotton candy at the circus or an amusement park. It brings back memories of hot summer days, a crunchy candy you can eat with your hands and of course , pink sticky faces and clothes.

Cotton candy is also known by such charming names as cotton candy or fairy wire. In the 1400's, the European chefs were spinning extravagant desserts sugar. Although, the little hands reaching for this confection likely wore gold rings and mom and dad warned the children about getting their robes and crowns sticky. Strands of sugar were thicker and more like blown glass than today's cottony spun sugar. The candy can be formed into golden webs, eggs, bird nests, castles and other beautiful creations.

By the end of 1800 the sugar, the wiring was a difficult and somewhat dangerous. Loaf sugar, made from cane or beet sugar was used as the granulated sugar was not invented after World War II. Sugar, water and other secret ingredients were boiled in large pots until reaching the correct temperature and consistency. Cooks were advised to use only the best sugar cane "that should not occur" the use of copper bowls for best results. When the molten mixture was ready, the confectioner had a few moments to pull it out of the bowl with a fork or beat and then throws the hot mixture through the air. The strands would quickly cool and solidify in the air. The cook had to be careful with burns and early recipes warn to use enough oil on the skin to keep the hot liquid from sticking.

It took good old American ingenuity to super-charge spun sugar soft, wispy cotton candy we know today. Sugar and dye is heated in a small container, which is spinning in the middle of a large metal drum. The spinner has tiny holes which send the liquid sugar flying parts. Once the wires come in contact with air, becomes solid and forms threads on the sides of the bowl.

Several American inventors are credited with the kitchen to the first modern machines cotton candy. The first patent was given to John C. Wharton and William Morris for their cotton candy machine in 1897. The two partners debuted their wireless tale "World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904, where he became a success. Another American, Thomas Patton patented a machine slightly different cotton candy a year later and joined with the Ringling Bros. Circus where the sticky confection is still served today.

Sugar has improved greatly since colonial times. Specialty sugars are formulated to create longer lines, giving a sweet soft texture. The sweet hot is usually stirred into a cardboard tube or stick. In 1970, the new machines were invented to produce cotton candy on a large scale. These machines produce a long and continuous mass of cotton candy which is then cut into rectangles. It can now be found in stores packed in plastic bags.

In "sweet trade" cotton is simply known as "dental floss". Machine operators will tell you that it is an art to collecting and forming the hot product just right. The most popular color for cotton candy is pink, followed by blue. Other colors like yellow, purple and green are also sometimes seen. Almost all cotton candy has food coloring added. Tan without color would be white or clear. Purists like to eat their simple cotton candy, but can also be flavored. Popular flavors include bubble gum and ice cream.

Adventure cooks, indulgent parents and cotton candy addicts can now make their own fluffy creations at home. Small machines (which resemble toys more than a tool for cooking) can be found for under $ 100. Bigger, more reliable machines can cost up to $ 1,000, but you still need to add your own circus. America still has a day dedicated to this creation, sweet ethereal, so do not forget to celebrate the National Day Cotton Candy on December 7. Happy cooking!

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