caramelization
noun
car·a·mel·i·za·tion
ˌkär-mə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
ˌker-ə-mə-,
ˌka-rə-mə-
: the process of heating sugar (such as granulated white sugar or the sugar contained in a food) at high temperature so that water is removed and the sugar is broken down (as into glucose and fructose) and then reformed into complex polymers producing a sweet, nutty, or buttery flavor and golden-brown to dark brown color : the nonenzymatic process of changing sugar or the sugar content of a food into caramel (see caramel sense 1)
An intense caramelization of the carrots concentrates their flavor and brings up their sweetness until they're almost like candy-but the roasted garlic and thyme keep the dish on the savory side.—
April Bloomfield
April BloomfieldExamples of caramelization in a Sentence
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Other recipes that recommend using yellow or sweet onions or even shallots, or a mixture of onions, call for a lighter, golden-brown caramelization or use white wine or cognac as the alcohol, as well as other seasonings.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
These foods insist on time and care—caramelization via the Maillard reaction is a central component of all cooking, a transformation from inedible to life-sustaining.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Its naturally high sugar content—thanks to the caramelization process—along with a relatively high fat percentage, led to one Norwegian municipality proposing a school ban.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
The secret to the soup’s deep, rich flavor is the initial cooking or caramelization of the onions in unsalted butter, as well as use of a hearty beef stock, explained Ric Libiran, Jo’s Diner owner and chief cook at the upscale diner.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
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Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
These foods insist on time and care—caramelization via the Maillard reaction is a central component of all cooking, a transformation from inedible to life-sustaining.
—Bedatri D. Choudhury, Bon Appetit Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Its naturally high sugar content—thanks to the caramelization process—along with a relatively high fat percentage, led to one Norwegian municipality proposing a school ban.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025
The secret to the soup’s deep, rich flavor is the initial cooking or caramelization of the onions in unsalted butter, as well as use of a hearty beef stock, explained Ric Libiran, Jo’s Diner owner and chief cook at the upscale diner.
—Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for caramelization
Cite this Entry
“Caramelization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caramelization. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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