glaze
GLAYZ
/ɡleɪz/
A thin, shiny coating applied to food or ceramics, or the action of applying such a coating.
Refers to a glossy finish (made from sugar syrup, egg wash, or fruit reduction) that enhances sheen and retains moisture.
The story behind the word. Evolved from Middle English 'glasen' (to furnish with glass), originating from Old English 'glas' (glass). The modern culinary sense came from the smooth, glass-like shine of sugary syrups.
Word relationships
- coating: 'Coating' is any general layer applied to a surface, whereas 'glaze' specifies a thin, smooth, and shiny outer finish.
Commonly confused with
- frosting: Frosting is thick, opaque, and creamy, whereas a glaze is thin, translucent, and glossy.
Word family
- glazed (adjective): Covered with a shiny or smooth surface coating.
Collocations
- sugar glaze
- glossy glaze
- egg wash glaze
- glaze a cake
Idioms & expressions
- eyes glaze over
Example sentences
- "She brushed a glossy sugar glaze over the warm berry tart to give it a brilliant sheen." Recipe Step
Memory hook
A GLAZE makes food shiny like GLASS. Shiny Finish = Glaze
When not to use
Do not use for thick, heavy, opaque frostings or fluffy buttercream layers.
Fun facts
- In baking, an egg wash glaze produces a shiny golden-brown top because the proteins and fats undergo the Maillard browning reaction.
Related words
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