Ten years ago, you probably weren’t eating salted caramel. Nowadays, though, it’s hard to imagine being without it. Really hard. We tried it just for a moment there… and it was a terrible moment. The thing is, that mixture of salt and sweet seems like it shouldn’t really work but it DOES.
How can you elevate that sweet and salty sensory sensation even further? By tantalising your taste buds with a big chill and enjoying it as ice cream. That’s why our Salted Caramel Ice Cream is one of our most popular flavours. However, as we combine enquiring minds with our love of salted caramel ice cream, we wanted to delve a little deeper into working out why this combination works so well.
Who first thought of adding salt to caramel?
Think of France and you think of culinary excellence, and it turns out that salted caramel can be added to the list of French classics, alongside escargot and bouillabaisse. Not literally alongside snails and fish soup, obviously; we think that may be an innovation too far. However, it is true that it was a Frenchman who first came up with the idea of salted caramel.
Henri Le Roux was a chocolatier who opened a store in Brittany in the late 1970s. He wanted to develop a unique product that would help him to stand out from his competitors, while making use of local produce. Brittany produced delicious salted butter and Le Roux had the idea of using it to produce a salted caramel. By 1980, it was named “Best Sweet in France”! From there, the popularity of the combination has grown to become the phenomenon we know today.
Why do sweet and salty things taste good together?
There are five primary tastes that our taste buds are able to pick up on. These are sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Salted caramel combines two of these, giving an effect that chefs call “flavour layering”. Salt also acts as an enhancer of flavour (that’s why you sprinkle it on your chips, for instance), so that’s why it makes caramel taste even better. The key thing in all of this though is ratio. Too much salt could ruin your chips and likewise too much salt can ruin the flavour of caramel too. It’s all about getting the perfect balance – that’s what leads to those fireworks on your tongue.
Why is salted caramel so good in ice cream?
Temperature has an effect on the taste buds. When things are too cold it can be difficult for them to pick up the tastes in food. In these circ*mstances it’s easier to pick up sweet tastes than any of the other primary tastes. The way in which ice cream is made has developed over the years, meaning that it can be served at slightly warmer temperatures. In years gone by, ice cream would still have been below freezing when served. These days, you can wait until it gets to around 5c before serving it, allowing the salty flavour in salted caramel to be savoured alongside the sweet. That makes salted caramel a modern flavour that’s perfectly suited to the best in modern ice cream.
Can salted caramel ice cream be made even better?
You might think that it’s not possible but what if we told you that Flora Shedden from The Great British Bake Off had combined our delicious Graham’s Salted Caramel Ice Cream with ginger biscuits to make the perfect dessert sandwich? That’s right, that’s a thing. We think you’re going to love Flora’s Ginger Biscuit Ice Cream Sarnies.
FAQs
Why do sweet and salty things taste good together? There are five primary tastes that our taste buds are able to pick up on. These are sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami. Salted caramel combines two of these, giving an effect that chefs call “flavour layering”.
Why does salted caramel work? ›
The combination of salty and sweet flavours, plus fat, found in salted caramel releases an unusually intense rush of morphine-like endogenous opioids – or endorphins – in the brain. It does so, moreover, in a way that never gets boring, say scientists at the University of Florida.
Why does salted caramel ice cream melt faster? ›
“The salt prevents it from freezing completely, so melts faster and doesn't keep its shape as well," she says, “If people are getting two different scoops, I always suggest salted caramel as the top, so they don't have to worry about it melting.” Hold.
Why does everyone love salted caramel? ›
The salt acts as a flavour enhancer, intensifying the sweetness and adding depth and complexity to the caramel.
Is salted caramel addictive? ›
Scientists tested salted caramel on 150 participants. They found that eating salted caramel causes a phenomenon called “hedonic escalation”. This is where our brains keep craving more and more with every mouthful because we detect new flavours with each bite.
Why is caramel so good? ›
Brings indulgence. Caramel is all about indulgence and it satisfies everybody's sweet tooth. It can also help to add multi-sensoriality as consumers are looking for an intense sensorial delight. From soft to gooey and crunchy textures, different shades of golden and characteristic tastes, caramel has a lot to offer.
Is salted caramel a ice cream flavor? ›
Simple and elegant, our salted caramel ice cream might just be your new favorite flavor. The ice cream will keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week.
When did salted caramel become popular? ›
Its notoriety spread across borders as the Swiss and the Belgians soon realised they too wanted a taste. And by the 1990s, salted caramel was a popular addition to desserts and chocolate treats around the world. Domestic goddess, Nigella Lawson, wrote of her love affair with the treat.
What is difference between caramel and salted caramel? ›
However, the defining characteristic of salted caramel is the addition of salt – often sea salt or fleur de sel. The salt does not overpower the sweetness but instead provides a delightful contrast. It enhances the caramel's flavour, cutting through the richness and bringing a unique depth to the overall taste.
Does salted caramel freeze? ›
You can freeze the salted caramel, too. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature, then warm up before using.
The Rise of a Modern Marvel:
Perhaps the skills and passions of those seekers of chocolate perfection are testament as to why salted caramel and chocolate is so popular. The rise of craft chocolate and artisanal food movements further fuelled the fire.
Why is salted caramel sweeter? ›
Firstly, salt acts as a flavour enhancer, which means it brings out the flavours of the caramel that may have been previously overlooked. Making it richer and sweeter than before, we can quite simply taste this sugary treat a whole lot better when we add salt. However, salt doesn't just act as a flavour enhancer.
Is salted caramel sweet or salty? ›
Salted caramel provides a non-sweet element that many desserts and coffee drinks benefit from, bringing both saltiness and the slightly bitter richness of caramel that adds complexity to menu items. It's a way to easily upgrade sweets and beverages and make them feel more indulgent, unique or gourmet.
What is the meaning of salted caramel? ›
Salted caramel is a soft sweet food made from heated sugar and butter or cream, with salt added as a flavouring. He makes shortbread topped with salted caramel.
Who popularized salted caramel? ›
For this culinary creation, Le Roux was awarded Best Sweet in France by the Salon international de la confiserie in Paris in 1980. Salted caramel was then popularized by French chef Pierre Hermé in the 1990s when he invented a salted caramel macaron.
Is salted caramel ice cream sweet? ›
By Melissa Clark. This luxurious ice cream is the ideal balance of sweet yet salty and rich yet light.
Is salted caramel actually salt? ›
And salted caramel is one of the easiest recipes. This truly the best salted caramel I've ever had and there's only 4 ingredients required: sugar, butter, heavy cream, and salt.
