Nonpareils facts for kids
Nonpareils are tiny, colorful candy balls used to decorate sweet treats. They are a type of confectionery, which means they are a sweet food. You often see them on cakes, cookies, and even bread!
Nonpareils are made mostly from sugar and starch. They come in many bright colors, like red, blue, green, and yellow, or sometimes a mix of all these colors. Their small, round shape and crunchy texture make them a fun addition to desserts.
Contents
What Are Nonpareils?
Nonpareils are a popular type of sprinkle. They are tiny, round, and hard, and they add both color and a slight crunch to food. The word "nonpareil" actually means "without equal" in French, suggesting they were once seen as a very special decoration.
What Are They Made Of?
The main ingredients in nonpareils are sugar and starch. A little water is added to make a paste, and then food coloring gives them their vibrant look. This mixture is then shaped into tiny balls.
How Are Nonpareils Used?
These little candies are perfect for decorating all sorts of desserts. You can find them on:
- Cupcakes
- Ice cream
- Donuts
- Chocolate bars
- And, as you can see in the picture, even simple slices of bread, like in the popular Australian treat called "Fairy Bread."
A Sweet History
Nonpareils have been around for a long time! They first appeared in the 18th century. In those days, sugar was a very expensive ingredient. This meant that fancy sugar decorations like nonpareils were often used by wealthy people to show off their desserts.
Early Uses
In the 1700s, nonpareils were not just for decorating cakes. They were sometimes eaten on their own as a small, sweet treat. They were also used to decorate other fancy desserts and even sometimes to make medicines taste better. Over time, as sugar became more common, nonpareils became a popular decoration for everyone.
How Are Nonpareils Made?
Making nonpareils is a bit like making tiny, colorful pearls.
- First, sugar and starch are mixed with water and food coloring to create a thick paste.
- This paste is then pushed through tiny holes or spun in a special machine.
- As the mixture tumbles, it forms into small, round balls.
- These tiny balls are then dried and polished to give them their shiny finish.
Different Types of Sprinkles
Nonpareils are just one type of sprinkle. Other popular sprinkles include:
- Jimmies: These are long, thin, rod-shaped sprinkles.
- Sanding Sugar: This is larger, coarser sugar crystals that sparkle.
- Confetti Sprinkles: These are flat, disk-shaped sprinkles, often in bright colors.
Each type of sprinkle adds a different look and texture to desserts, but nonpareils are unique for their tiny, perfectly round shape.
