Caramel: longstanding taste of comfort & nostalgia
Caramel in chocolate creations remains within the top 5 flavors for years already. How come?
- Today, caramel is the third most desired flavor in chocolate confectionery in Western Europe, after hazelnut and almond.
- Demand for caramel-flavored food has arisen since 2009.
- Over 4,900 caramel products have been launched in the past 5 years for the confectionery, bakery & pastry, ice cream and dairy segments, in Western Europe.
![Caramel top favorite flavor](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_text_and_image_left_right/public/2019-07/CARAMEL%20LONG%20TAILING%202-049.jpg?h=485aba93&itok=Ozu4l77P)
To illustrate the flavor complexity of caramel, take a look at our Caramel Sensory Wheel and discover the flavors and notes that can be found in different types of caramel.
![Caramel Sensory Wheel](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_text_and_image_left_right/public/2019-07/Caramel_Sensory_Wheel-1.png?itok=fk4roBtO)
Caramel family tree
Officially ‘caramel’ is defined as being made from a mix of sugars, milk proteins (milk or cream) and fat. However, caramel has developed into different branches throughout the years and across cultures. Here we mention a few members of the caramel family:
Toffee: Butter is used instead of milk and the mixture is cooked to a hard-crack stage. British’s favorite.
Dulce de Leche: concentrated milk and sugar are heated at a lower temperature and for a longer time than regular caramel. Popular in South America.
Fondant: heated sugar and water that is cooled and tempered until forming a paste. Famous for cake decoration.
Fudge: Intermediary between caramel and fondant. Contains sugar, milk, butter, cream, cocoa and fats.
Cajeta: Caramel made with goat’s milk, with an earthy and slightly nutty flavor. Mexico’s original.
Salted caramel: regular caramel with higher addition of salt and/or flavor. The percentage will depend on the level of saltiness desired.
Source: Chambre Syndicale Nationale de la Confiserie
![Caramel combo](/sites/default/files/styles/paragraph_text_and_image_top_bottom/public/2019-07/Caramel-combo.jpg?itok=Q-ML45zT)