And water enhances the conversion
of sucrose into its glucose and fructose components. Cooking the syrup in the microwave oven has been found to produce
a somewhat different spectrum of flavors
than ordinary stovetop cooking. Once caramelization and color and flavor
generation begin, the overall set of reactions actually gives off heat, and can run away and burn the sugar if it’s not carefully controlled. It’s helpful to have a bowl of cold water ready to cool the pan down as soon as the caramel is done. Excessive caramelization turns the syrup very dark, bitter, and viscous or even solid.