Serves a Crowd
Smoked Tea Caramels
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43 Reviews
Shallot
May 12, 2011
Would this have enough smoky flavor without the liquid smoke? I'm guessing liquid smoke is an artificial flavor....
Burnt O.
May 12, 2011
Yes and no. Liquid smoke is essentially water through which smoke has been passed and concentrated. It is truly liquid smoke. I made a 1/2 recipe of these and added a single drop. I don't think it made them too smoky. The buttery caramel flavor is dominant, the tea is probably second, and the smoke and salt are nice background notes.
hardlikearmour
May 12, 2011
I agree with Burnt Offerings. When I was working on the concept in the first place there was not enough smoky flavor w/o it. I used to think it was some weird chemical, too, but it really is just liquid smoke.
Ann H.
May 3, 2020
Actually, liquid smoke is just that: smoke residue mixed with water. The process of making it is fun to read about. Still doesn't say "candy" to me, though.
Burnt O.
May 10, 2011
For the editor's: I was both very intrigued and a little intimidated by this recipe since I had never made caramels before, but have always wanted to try. Thanks to Hardlikearmour's meticulous, and easy to follow directions, they came out perfectly on my very first try! I also went back and reviewed the video that Amanda and Merrill posted a couple of weeks ago on making caramel - big help there as well. The steeping process allows the cream to infuse with the tea and smoked flavor from the salt, and she was right - it DOES boil violently when you add it to the hot caramel! The flavor profile on these is REALLY wonderful and different, yet they are exactly as advertised. You get a distinctive tea flavor with a subtle smokiness and the nice hint of salt, but it doesn't overpower or compromise the warm, buttery caramel flavor. Obviously, they are the perfect companion to a nice cup of tea. Now that I have conquered my caramel trepidation, I will definitely be making more in the future. What a wonderful food gift to share! I will be sharing these chewy morsels with neighbors over the next few days.
hardlikearmour
May 10, 2011
I'm ecstatic these worked out for you! Thanks for overcoming your intimidation, and giving them such a lovely review!
Burnt O.
May 5, 2011
I'm a little intimidated to test these since I have never made caramels other than toffee apples for Halloween, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. I've got a candy thermometer, and with your terrific instructions, I think I can pull it off. LOVE that you can reheat them if I screw it up the first time. The neighbors will love testing these (they get to test almost all my test recipes).
hardlikearmour
May 5, 2011
Start with a half batch, so if it's a disaster you haven't wasted as much! Like you say nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Oui, C.
May 3, 2011
Mmmmm...I am a HUGE fan of smoked teas and love the idea of a smoky caramel. Unfortunately, when I make my lapsang souchong just the smell of it drives my wife a little nutty as it reminds her of a campfire (poor thing must have been traumatized around one as a youngster). She loves the flavor of smoke but not the smell, might have to make these when she's out of the house.....but I WILL make them! - S
hardlikearmour
May 3, 2011
Wow! Thanks, Steve. Would love to hear your opinion if you make them. I love smoked tea, and it definitely adds an interesting flavor to the caramel.
fiveandspice
April 29, 2011
So cool to add a smokey hint to caramel! They totally do represent you well, and your amazingly creative approach to cooking. I've botched a couple recipes of caramel at this point, but I think these will inspire me to keep trying!
hardlikearmour
April 29, 2011
Thanks, 5&spice! I really like the smoke in the caramel, it adds a nice depth of flavor. I have botched caramels plenty of times, but have learned some tricks because of it. If they come out too soft you can melt them and heat them a degree or 2 higher then repour them. Also if they come out too hard you can melt them with some additional cream and heat them a degree or 2 lower then repour. If you burn them you should just pitch them!
fiveandspice
April 29, 2011
Wha???!! You can reheat them and repour them? That's amazing! My mind is blown! That's really exciting to know - it never even occurred to me to try that. I suppose in order to reheat the goopy caramels, you have to first not lose the entire thing to running all over the counter, floor, your hands, and face though...
hardlikearmour
April 29, 2011
I figured I didn't have anything to lose but time, and found it worked. In case of a tragic carameltastrophe, the best recourse is to turn what ever remains in your pot into caramel sauce! What ever you do, don't get the hot caramel on your hands and face!
fiveandspice
April 29, 2011
Luckily I've only ever gotten the cooled - but still quite runny - caramel on myself.
Sadassa_Ulna
April 29, 2011
I was hoping you'd post something for this week's contest and your choice seems perfect! You are so creative and this recipe really illustrates that. I love that you started with a family tradition (and then smoked it, ha!) These sound incredible. Guess I'll be picking up some hickory seasoning today . .. ;)
hardlikearmour
April 29, 2011
Wow, Sadassa_Ulna, thanks! If you get a chance to make them, let me know what you think!
drbabs
April 29, 2011
I'm so glad you submitted this--I missed it the first time you posted it, and it's so you--creative and interesting, fun and delicious.
Midge
April 29, 2011
What an excellent choice, hla. I've never made caramels but this recipe is inspiring; I'm crazy about lapsang souchong so I know I would love them.
hardlikearmour
April 29, 2011
Thanks, Midge! I'm crazy about lapsang souchong, too! Caramel making is kinda fun, in a nerdy chemistry class way. I figure it's just sugar, butter, and cream - the worst that happens is you ruin it, and it's not like you were using truffles.
gingerroot
April 29, 2011
These sound so good! I am so happy you submitted these. I'm really curious about the liquid smoke - I have made mock kalua pig (to replicate a traditional Hawaiian whole roasted smoke pig which is roasted in an imu or pit, covered with banana leaves, you can use a slow cooker, pork shoulder, rock salt and liquid smoke) with liquid smoke but never tried it in a sweet application.
gingerroot
April 29, 2011
Eek! It's been a long day. Not sure any of that middle section makes sense. Should be "traditional Hawaiian whole roasted smoked pig"
hardlikearmour
April 29, 2011
I think the smoky flavor is nice with the sweet, salt, and black tea flavors. The tea and smoke add a layer of intrigue!
lorigoldsby
April 29, 2011
these would be a wonderful hostess gift...to answer a foodpickler's earlier question...although the hostess may go MIA for a chance to spend some "quality time" with HLA's caramels. ;)
lapadia
April 29, 2011
Beautiful photo and yes, interesting flavored recipe...one that I missed the first time around, glad you re-submitted! There is something about them that reminds me of the NW, or is that just me? :)
hardlikearmour
April 29, 2011
Thanks, lapadia! I did use the Tao of Tea Pine Smoked Black which is based in Portland. Plus alder salt seems very NW!
goldenblind221
April 28, 2011
Oh gosh, these sound lovely. I can't wait for the weekend to try this recipe!
hardlikearmour
April 28, 2011
Thanks! If you get a chance to make them, let me know how you like them. I've got other caramel recipes posted as well (if you're interested.)
boulangere
April 28, 2011
Oh my goodness, amazing flavors right from the description, and such a lovely story!
hardlikearmour
April 28, 2011
Thanks, boulangere! I wasn't going to submit anything this week, but mrslarkin convinced me to!
mrslarkin
April 29, 2011
haha! Ya done good, kid. Now the tradition is yours to share. These sound fantastic!
zest I.
December 29, 2010
Holy cow! These sound just amazing! I love the idea of pairing indulgent caramels with some smoke flavor. Printing out the recipe now to play on my day off.
hardlikearmour
December 29, 2010
Cool. I hope you like them. The smoke flavor is present, but subtle. Let me know how it goes!
campagnes
December 23, 2010
What creative flavor ideas! Love the sound of this!
hardlikearmour
December 24, 2010
My sister said the taste made her want to have more in her mouth. Its a bit like you can't quite figure out what that flavor is, so you need to try it again.
Sagegreen
December 23, 2010
Wow! I love the sound of these with the flavors. Hope you will post a photo, too!
hardlikearmour
December 23, 2010
Thanks! I think I'm finally getting decent at caramel making. I will post a photo later.
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