Cotton candy, also known as candy floss or fairy floss, is a type of confectionery made from spun sugar. It consists of thin strands of sugar that are heated and then rapidly cooled, causing the sugar to solidify in a fibrous form. The end result is a light, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth treat that resembles a cloud or a ball of cotton.

Here’s a general overview of how cotton candy is made:

  1. Sugar Preparation: The main ingredient of cotton candy is granulated sugar. The sugar is usually mixed with small amounts of flavoring and food coloring for added taste and visual appeal.
  2. Sugar Melting: The sugar mixture is poured into a machine called a cotton candy machine, which has a spinning head in the center. The head of the machine contains small holes or a mesh screen.
  3. Spinning Process: The cotton candy machine heats up, melting the sugar and turning it into a liquid state. The centrifugal force generated by the spinning head causes the liquid sugar to be forced through the tiny holes or mesh screen.
  4. Sugar Solidification: As the liquid sugar is forced through the holes, it is exposed to the air, which cools it rapidly. The sugar solidifies in mid-air, forming long, thin strands that accumulate around the outer edges of the spinning head.
  5. Collection: A paper cone or a stick is held next to the spinning head, and the accumulating sugar strands wrap around it, creating a fluffy, cloud-like mass of cotton candy.
  6. Serving: Once enough cotton candy has accumulated on the cone or stick, it is gently removed from the machine and presented as a sweet treat to be enjoyed.

It’s worth noting that the process can vary slightly depending on the type of cotton candy machine used and personal preferences. Additionally, the flavorings and colors used can be customized to create different variations of cotton candy.

Image from Wikipedia