When it comes to the art of candy - making, the weather can be both a friend and a foe. In particular, high humidity poses a significant challenge for those looking to create perfect hard candies and soft candies. But fear not! With a bit of knowledge and some clever workaround methods, you can still master the craft even in less - than - ideal weather conditions.

First, let's understand how humidity affects candy making. Humidity is essentially the amount of water vapor in the air. When you're making hard candies, the process involves boiling a sugar - water mixture to a specific temperature to reach the hard - crack stage. In high humidity, the extra moisture in the air can be absorbed by the sugar syrup. This additional water changes the ratio of sugar to water in the syrup, making it difficult to reach the correct consistency. For soft candies, humidity can make them overly sticky and prevent them from setting properly.

One of the most effective ways to combat high humidity is to use a dehumidifier. Place a dehumidifier in the room where you're making the candies. This will reduce the amount of moisture in the air, creating a more stable environment for your candy - making process. You can set the dehumidifier to a low humidity level, around 30 - 40%. This will help the sugar syrup reach the desired temperature and consistency without being affected by the extra moisture in the air.

Another important tip is to monitor the temperature and humidity in the room. You can use a hygrometer to measure the humidity and a reliable candy thermometer to keep track of the syrup's temperature. By closely monitoring these two factors, you can make adjustments as needed. For example, if the humidity is higher than normal, you may need to boil the syrup for a bit longer to evaporate the extra moisture.

When it comes to the recipe itself, you can make some modifications. For hard candies, you can increase the amount of sugar slightly. This will help counteract the extra water that the syrup may absorb from the air. However, be careful not to overdo it, as too much sugar can make the candies too brittle. You can also add a small amount of cream of tartar. Cream of tartar helps prevent sugar from crystallizing, which can be a common problem in high - humidity conditions.

For soft candies, you can reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe. This will help the candies set better in a humid environment. You can also add a bit of cornstarch. Cornstarch acts as a thickening agent and can help absorb some of the extra moisture, giving your soft candies a better texture.

It's also crucial to work quickly and efficiently. Once you've prepared the sugar syrup, don't let it sit for too long. Pour it into the molds or onto the trays right away. The longer the syrup is exposed to the humid air, the more moisture it will absorb. And when you're cooling the candies, make sure to place them in a dry area. You can even use a fan to circulate the air around the candies, which will help them cool and set faster.

Finally, practice makes perfect. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts at candy - making in high humidity aren't perfect. Keep experimenting with different methods and recipes. With time, you'll be able to master the art of making both hard and soft candies, regardless of the weather conditions.

So, whether you're a novice candy - maker or an experienced pro, don't let high humidity stop you from creating delicious candies. By understanding how humidity affects the process and using these workaround methods, you can enjoy the sweet rewards of your efforts.