Expounding Upon the Previous Night

Last night I posted a brief picture of a handful of lozenges, but was far too tired to relate how the actual process went. So consider this an attempt to remedy that. XD

These didn't get finished until 11:45, at which point the temperature was at 236F and was very stubbornly NOT moving, plus I could feel it granulating if I stirred it with a spoon. So they were poured, scored, cut, and wrapped in parchment paper (another significant time investment), at which point I wrapped them in a towel to cool and flopped in bed. 12:30 at night is not a kind time to be up if you need to be awake early...but I digress.

I was in such a hurry to cut them into pieces that I didn't do it very well...so they range in size from 1 1/2 " across to 1/2" across. Sigh. At least they look rustic. Next time (IF there's a next time) I will be much more careful and deliberate.

My overall opinion of the experiment is that I really don't care for the end product. Maybe I need to make a stronger tea for the base or something, but they're so incredibly sweet that I can barely eat half of one. They never got to the hard ball stage, so the consistency is more like that of a sugar cube. And there's a slight flavor, but not THAT much. Sigh. Next time I want to make pastilles, I'll just put it that way. Those look to take less time and be better for ya.

In the meantime, I have a two-quart container of these things. They'll be my tea-sweeteners for the next summer. XD

I guess they DO look rather cool though...anyway. Here's to more experimentation.