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Caramelized: meaning, definitions and examples

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caramelized

 

[ ˈkɛrəˌmɛlaɪzd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

cooking process

Caramelized refers to the process of cooking sugar slowly until it melts and turns brown, resulting in a rich, sweet flavor and a smooth texture. This technique is often used to enhance the taste of various dishes, ranging from desserts to savory meals. When vegetables like onions are caramelized, their natural sugars are drawn out, creating a deep, sweet flavor that adds complexity to the dish. Additionally, caramelization can occur in various types of food, leading to browning reactions that develop unique flavors and aromas.

Synonyms

browned, sugared, toasted

Examples of usage

  • The onions were caramelized to enhance their sweetness.
  • The chef caramelized the sugar for the dessert.
  • Caramelized apples topped the pie perfectly.

Translations

Translations of the word "caramelized" in other languages:

🇵🇹 caramelizado

🇮🇳 कैरेमलाइज़्ड

🇩🇪 karamellisiert

🇮🇩 karamelisasi

🇺🇦 карамелізований

🇵🇱 skarmelizowany

🇯🇵 キャラメライズド

🇫🇷 caramélisé

🇪🇸 caramelizado

🇹🇷 karamelize

🇰🇷 카라멜화된

🇸🇦 مكرمل

🇨🇿 karamelizovaný

🇸🇰 karamelizovaný

🇨🇳 焦糖化的

🇸🇮 karameliziran

🇮🇸 karamelliseruð

🇰🇿 карамелденген

🇬🇪 კარამელიზებული

🇦🇿 karamelize edilmiş

🇲🇽 caramelizado

Etymology

The term 'caramelized' derives from the French word 'caramel', which in turn has its roots in the Latin term 'cannamellis', meaning 'sugar cane'. The cooking technique has been known since ancient times, as civilizations discovered the transformative power of heat on sugar. These early methods involved heating sugar to create a viscous liquid that can harden when cooled. Over the centuries, the process of caramelization has evolved, with chefs experimenting with different ingredients and methods to achieve desired flavors and textures. The use of caramelization expanded significantly during the 17th century, as sugar became more widely available in Europe, leading to its incorporation into various culinary applications. Today, caramelization is celebrated in both professional and home kitchens, serving as a fundamental technique in gastronomy.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #35,080, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.