glass. Ordinary window and table glass is a
noncrystalline version of silicon dioxide. Like
this mineral glass, sugar glass is brittle and
transparent (and often stands in for its harder
and more dangerous cousin in the movies and
on stage!). Glasses are transparent because
individual sugar molecules are too small to
deflect light when they’re randomly arranged.
Crystalline solids appear opaque because even
tiny crystals are solid masses of many
molecules, and their surfaces are big enough
to deflect light.
Limiting Crystal Growth with Interfering
Agents In practice, it’s not easy to control or
prevent the crystallization of pure sucrose
syrups, and candy makers have long relied on
other ingredients that interfere with and
therefore limit crystal formation and growth.
These interfering agents help the cook prepare
clear noncrystalline hard candies and fine-
textured creams, fudges, and other soft