2 replies to this topic

My daughter has, for her science fair project, chosen to attempt to make rock candy from artificial sweeteners.
Which sweeteners can grow rock candy type crystals, using household kitchen equipment?
Using a standard evaporation method for growing sucrose crystals as a baseline, what variables will she need to adjust for different sweeteners?
Both the saccharin and aspartame products, available from the grocery store, have maltodextrine as an ingredient. I don't know the ratio. How will that affect the end product?

Thanks for your help.

I have never made rock candy with artificial sweeteners, I personally try to stay away from anything artificial. I wanted to recommend Stevia, an all natuaral herb that is 100 times sweeter than sugar, and unlike artificial sweeteners Stevia can be heated up to 400 degrees. You mentioned an evaporation method, are you not heating the sweeteners first. I would try to make the rock candy with stevia, i think it might work better, and will definitley be the healthier alternative.
Good luck:)

[THCooke]

That may prove very difficult. The artificial sweetners are notorious for being very soluble and you don't need a lot for a high level of sweetness. She will probably be disappointed versus using sugar as the goal may not be feasibly possible.

As an alternate, soap works really well too, but tastes awful!