How to Grow Your Own Rock Candy Crystals

Learn the science of supersaturation by growing delicious, edible sugar crystals in your own kitchen. HowTo: Family Edition: family how-tos that actually help.

1. Prepare your skewer. Dip your wooden skewer in water, then roll it in a little bit of granulated sugar. Let it dry completely; these sugar grains will act as 'seed crystals' for the larger crystals to grow on.
2. Make the sugar syrup. Ask a grown-up to help you boil 1 cup of water in a saucepan. Slowly stir in the 3 cups of sugar, one spoonful at a time, until it is completely dissolved. Continue heating until the mixture is clear, then remove from heat.
3. Set up the jar. Carefully pour the hot syrup into your glass jar. If you want colored or flavored crystals, stir in a drop of food coloring and a tiny bit of extract now. Let the syrup cool for about 20 minutes.
4. Start the growth. Place your prepared skewer into the jar, using a clothespin or binder clip to hold it upright so it doesn't touch the bottom or sides. Place the jar in a quiet spot and wait 3 to 7 days for the crystals to grow.