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 Bloomfield
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
High heat brings caramelization in the form of browning, sometimes even charring.
—Meredith Deeds Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 24 Feb. 2021
Dutch ovens look like stockpots but have wider bases and slightly shorter but thicker walls that allow for better browning and caramelization of ingredients and retain heat well, as well as doubling as serving pieces that keep food warm on the table.
—Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 22 Dec. 2020
With just-ripe bananas, the starch helps hold the cookies together, and the caramelization will bring out their natural sweetness.
—Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2020
Our senses have two chemical processes to thank for browned, better tasting food: the Maillard reaction and caramelization.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023
The caramelization process may take 45 to 60 minutes.
—Sara Bonisteel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2023
Too much can lead to caramelization as opposed to a Maillard reaction due to the relative lack of proteins and amino groups.
—Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2017
Add the butter; this will stop the caramelization.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 22 May 2020
Here too, the caramelization brings out more flavor.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2022
See More
Meredith Deeds Special To The Star Tribune, Star Tribune, 24 Feb. 2021
Dutch ovens look like stockpots but have wider bases and slightly shorter but thicker walls that allow for better browning and caramelization of ingredients and retain heat well, as well as doubling as serving pieces that keep food warm on the table.
—Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 22 Dec. 2020
With just-ripe bananas, the starch helps hold the cookies together, and the caramelization will bring out their natural sweetness.
—Washington Post, 2 Dec. 2020
Our senses have two chemical processes to thank for browned, better tasting food: the Maillard reaction and caramelization.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023
The caramelization process may take 45 to 60 minutes.
—Sara Bonisteel, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Apr. 2023
Too much can lead to caramelization as opposed to a Maillard reaction due to the relative lack of proteins and amino groups.
—Ashton Yoon, Discover Magazine, 10 Oct. 2017
Add the butter; this will stop the caramelization.
—Wes Siler, Outside Online, 22 May 2020
Here too, the caramelization brings out more flavor.
—Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'caramelization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1845, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near caramelization
Cite this Entry
“Caramelization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caramelization. Accessed 7 Jun. 2023.
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