
Tasting notes
Charred
That crunchy corner piece of homemade lasagna or brownies. Over-roasted onions. The charred exterior of a campfire marshmallow. They all bear the unmistakable flavour of sugar that’s ever-so-slightly burnt. What’s so interesting about this taste? Cooking sugar adds complexity to its sweetness, but past a certain temperature, it begins to burn. Burnt tastes bitter, but a little bitterness is a welcome complement to things that are intensely sweet. Chefs around the world are starting to use vegetable ash as a type of seasoning. So next time you burn your toast – find some honey, and indulge in something bittersweet.