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

Examples of caramelization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its naturally high sugar content—thanks to the caramelization process—along with a relatively high fat percentage, led to one Norwegian municipality proposing a school ban. —David Nikel, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 2025

The secret to the soup’s deep, rich flavor is the initial cooking or caramelization of the onions in unsalted butter, as well as use of a hearty beef stock, explained Ric Libiran, Jo’s Diner owner and chief cook at the upscale diner. —Nicole Sours Larson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Mar. 2025

Vegetables roasted to the point of near caramelization — such as sweet potatoes or sunchokes — lend sweeter, fattier and richer flavor, plus silken texture. —Stephanie Breijo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Jan. 2025

What Is Roasting? Roasting is all about caramelization. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for caramelization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization