Corn Syrup Free

Corn syrup is considered today a horrible sweetener having an adverse effect on the human body

I have been asked to find alternatives to corn syrup (see below). Before I get there let me say something about it: Corn syrup is made from corn starch (natural ingredient) using natural enzymes that break down the corn starch (which is a poly-sugar – a long chain of sugars connected to each other). This generates a corn syrup  which is a mix of sugars of all kinds. This is vital for candy making as without it – you cannot make candies that are clear, tasteless (without additives like spices and herbs) and colorless.

I have tested hundreds of batches and many alternatives and here are my recommendations:

1. Agave syrup [a good substitute]
2. Honey [con: gives a strong honey flavor to the candies]
3. Maple syrup [con: results vary depeding on batch and maker]
4. Lyle’s golden syrup [con: gives a strong caramel flavor to the candies]
5. Rice syrup (same as corn syrup) – was recommended by a channel viewer.

Below you can see my first success: Carmel and salty peanuts hard candies.

Hope this helps!

Have a sweet day

Saar