Comments on: Developing the Summer Collection: Caramels http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html In LA, but Still Exploring Desserts Fri, 21 Nov 2008 06:42:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: fattypr http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-23613 fattypr Wed, 07 May 2008 23:06:33 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-23613 sounds like an awesome idea! i esp like the coffe hazelnut caramel you should also try teas though. earl grey chocolate, perhaps? or white tea vanilla? or even just plain earl grey. sounds like an awesome idea! i esp like the coffe hazelnut caramel

you should also try teas though. earl grey chocolate, perhaps?
or white tea vanilla?
or even just plain earl grey.

]]> By: T http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21946 T Sat, 26 Apr 2008 05:02:12 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21946 Nina, I hope it's not too late to offer some more suggestions. Here are some of my ideas: black sesame caramel lemon verbena caramel (or other herbs) miso caramel I LOVE caramel! =) Nina,
I hope it’s not too late to offer some more suggestions.

Here are some of my ideas:
black sesame caramel
lemon verbena caramel (or other herbs)
miso caramel

I LOVE caramel! =)

]]> By: Cyndi http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21911 Cyndi Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:58:17 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21911 I don't even know how it would be possible, but my daughter has suggested a yummy-sounding flavor: Banana Nut Caramels. She is only 10, but just as in love with your candies & marshmallows as I am! I don’t even know how it would be possible, but my daughter has suggested a yummy-sounding flavor: Banana Nut Caramels. She is only 10, but just as in love with your candies & marshmallows as I am!

]]> By: Mandy http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21600 Mandy Wed, 23 Apr 2008 22:09:24 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21600 Definitely do the honey. My mom has an amusingly 1970's candy cookbook, and it contains a recipe for honey caramels that includes a bit of flour. Odd, but they tasted great. The texture was a little jelly-ish because of the flour, though this would be an advantage if running/melting was a concern (they were also a little easier to handle, as I remember...). That little tang from the honey was *so* good. Suggestions? Coconut milk caramels. Goat milk caramels (cajeta quemada). Nibby caramels. Or perhaps something with enough fruit paste (apricots, peaches, pomegranate molasses, or passion fruit or guava paste) to be a bit sour (I think it would be refreshing!) And, for alternative heat-tolerant confectionery, fruit jellies and turkish delights could be nice (and the possibilities with So Cal produce are pretty exciting). I would vote for bite-sized (though wrapping would be more of a pain), because caramels are so densely sugary. Definitely do the honey. My mom has an amusingly 1970’s candy cookbook, and it contains a recipe for honey caramels that includes a bit of flour. Odd, but they tasted great. The texture was a little jelly-ish because of the flour, though this would be an advantage if running/melting was a concern (they were also a little easier to handle, as I remember…). That little tang from the honey was *so* good.

Suggestions? Coconut milk caramels. Goat milk caramels (cajeta quemada). Nibby caramels. Or perhaps something with enough fruit paste (apricots, peaches, pomegranate molasses, or passion fruit or guava paste) to be a bit sour (I think it would be refreshing!)

And, for alternative heat-tolerant confectionery, fruit jellies and turkish delights could be nice (and the possibilities with So Cal produce are pretty exciting).

I would vote for bite-sized (though wrapping would be more of a pain), because caramels are so densely sugary.

]]> By: G http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21570 G Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:11:56 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21570 I vote against lavender Earl Grey, as I find the combination unappealingly musky. The pistachio-cardamom concept reminded me of chai spice mix and baklava. Would rose water be any good in caramel? I vote against lavender Earl Grey, as I find the combination unappealingly musky. The pistachio-cardamom concept reminded me of chai spice mix and baklava. Would rose water be any good in caramel?

]]> By: rainey http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21569 rainey Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:46:49 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21569 Adding that dried figs stuffed with caramel sound pretty good too. Adding that dried figs stuffed with caramel sound pretty good too.

]]> By: rainey http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21568 rainey Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:45:16 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21568 Ooooh! I had profiteroles in a caramel sauce with a tart Meyer lemon kick once at Chez Panisse. They were to die for! Ooooh! I had profiteroles in a caramel sauce with a tart Meyer lemon kick once at Chez Panisse. They were to die for!

]]> By: Verena http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21567 Verena Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:23:46 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21567 Oops, hope I'm not too late in commenting ... I also like the idea of ginger caramels, and the sweet-salty combo is always popular. Passion fruit caramels sound great too. For something floral, how about lavender earl grey or rose geranium? I've had a rose geranium ice cream and enjoyed the subtle fragrance. As for the pistachio-cardamon caramels, would dried cherries work as well? Or how about a bananas foster caramel as a twist on the dessert? I've once had a caramel with dried figs and walnuts and that worked pretty well too. I love coffee and was also thinking of an espresso cognac caramel. For some added crunch, you could add crushed coffee beans or cocoa nibs into it. Oh, and other than caramels, you could also make some nougat bars which should stand well in the heat. Hope this helps, Nina! Good luck with more experimenting. ;) Oops, hope I’m not too late in commenting … I also like the idea of ginger caramels, and the sweet-salty combo is always popular. Passion fruit caramels sound great too. For something floral, how about lavender earl grey or rose geranium? I’ve had a rose geranium ice cream and enjoyed the subtle fragrance. As for the pistachio-cardamon caramels, would dried cherries work as well? Or how about a bananas foster caramel as a twist on the dessert?

I’ve once had a caramel with dried figs and walnuts and that worked pretty well too. I love coffee and was also thinking of an espresso cognac caramel. For some added crunch, you could add crushed coffee beans or cocoa nibs into it.

Oh, and other than caramels, you could also make some nougat bars which should stand well in the heat. Hope this helps, Nina! Good luck with more experimenting. ;)

]]> By: Jen http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21566 Jen Wed, 23 Apr 2008 01:11:10 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21566 Nina, one source for lavender honey (from CA, to boot) is here: http://www.lavenderfarm.com/products/honey.htm http://www.lavenderfarm.com/where-orderform.htm Not sure if it's cost effective to order it online (or if $14 for a 6 oz. jar is prohibitively expensive), but thought you'd like to know. Also, I'm probably getting carried away here, but have you ever heard of that famous Hawaiian white honey? This description of their Winter Honey mentions "a more robust, caramel-like flavor and a deeper color." That sounds perfect for you! https://www.volcanoislandhoney.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=210W8 Nina, one source for lavender honey (from CA, to boot) is here:

http://www.lavenderfarm.com/products/honey.htm
http://www.lavenderfarm.com/where-orderform.htm

Not sure if it’s cost effective to order it online (or if $14 for a 6 oz. jar is prohibitively expensive), but thought you’d like to know.

Also, I’m probably getting carried away here, but have you ever heard of that famous Hawaiian white honey? This description of their Winter Honey mentions “a more robust, caramel-like flavor and a deeper color.” That sounds perfect for you!

https://www.volcanoislandhoney.com/cgi-bin/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=210W8

]]> By: jessica http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21563 jessica Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:59:26 +0000 http://www.sweetnapa.com/2008/04/18/developing-the-summer-collection-caramels.html#comment-21563 Yeah, cinnamon and caramel are wonderful together, esp. with pecans or walnuts. Caramel+salt(+pepper) Two ideas: lemon caramels or grapefruit. I know the grapefruit sounds gross, but I made a "chutney" yesterday with onions and grapefruit simmered in caramel (and ajwain + star anise) and it was pretty amazing. Or tangerines could also be nice. Zingy. Yeah, cinnamon and caramel are wonderful together, esp. with pecans or walnuts.
Caramel+salt(+pepper)

Two ideas: lemon caramels or grapefruit. I know the grapefruit sounds gross, but I made a “chutney” yesterday with onions and grapefruit simmered in caramel (and ajwain + star anise) and it was pretty amazing. Or tangerines could also be nice. Zingy.

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