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Caramelize: meaning, definitions and examples

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caramelize

 

[ ˈkærəˌmɛlaɪz ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

cooking process

To caramelize means to heat sugar until it melts and turns into a thick syrup. This process involves cooking the sugar until it reaches a golden-brown color and develops rich flavors. Caramelization can also occur with foods such as onions, where the natural sugars are released and browned through slow cooking. It adds depth and sweetness to dishes and can be used in both sweet and savory recipes.

Synonyms

brown, cook down, glaze

Examples of usage

  • You can caramelize onions for enhanced flavor.
  • Caramelize sugar to create a dessert sauce.
  • Chefs often caramelize vegetables to enhance their taste.

Translations

Translations of the word "caramelize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caramelizar

🇮🇳 कैरेमलाइज़ करना

🇩🇪 karamellisieren

🇮🇩 mengkaramelisasi

🇺🇦 карамелізувати

🇵🇱 skarmelizować

🇯🇵 キャラメル化する

🇫🇷 caraméliser

🇪🇸 caramelizar

🇹🇷 karamelize etmek

🇰🇷 카라멜화하다

🇸🇦 تحمير السكر

🇨🇿 karamelizovat

🇸🇰 karamelizovať

🇨🇳 焦糖化

🇸🇮 karamelizirati

🇮🇸 karamellizera

🇰🇿 карамелдеу

🇬🇪 კარამელიზაცია

🇦🇿 karamelizasiya

🇲🇽 caramelizar

Etymology

The word 'caramelize' comes from 'caramel', which is derived from the French word 'caramel' (circa 1650). 'Caramel' itself is borrowed from the Spanish 'caramelo', which likely comes from the Late Latin 'cannamella', a term that combines 'canna' (reed) and 'mella' (honey). The process of caramelization has been known since ancient times, with early uses recorded in various cooking practices across different cultures. Over time, the technique has become a fundamental cooking skill in both professional kitchens and home cooking, as it transforms the flavor profile of ingredients through the Maillard reaction and sugar breakdown, resulting in the delightful flavors and aromas characteristic of caramelized foods.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,438, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.