Candy Stages (Cold Water Test)

When syrup is dropped in ice water, you can identify its stage using the following guidelines.

Thread Stage

Syrup remains stringy and soft and does not ball up.

Soft-Ball Stage

Syrup forms a soft, flexible ball in the water. When you remove it from the water, the ball flattens immediately.

Firm-Ball Stage

Syrup forms a firm ball under water that does not flatten when removed but does flatten when squeezed.

Hard-Ball Stage

Syrup forms a hard ball under water and does not flatten when squeezed but is still malleable.

Soft-Crack Stage

Syrup forms flexible threads that will bend and eventually crack.

Hard-Crack Stage

Syrup forms threads that are very brittle and crack when bent.