Susan Benjamin also sells hard tack, a biscuit that Civil War soldiers ate, and treats from the early 20th century.
She explains that some early candy did more than just satisfy a desire for sweets.
“Because it was hard and not tacky, they would chew it and it would scrape the plaque from their teeth, exercise the jaw and, some thought, also help them purify the blood.”
The development of sugar cane as a sweetener spread from Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Candy made from sugar was mostly a treat for wealthy Europeans. Pan candies were popular, but making them required skill.
“What they would do is take a tiny little seed, or take an almond, a seed or a nut, and they would add layers and layers of sugar to them.”
Another kind of candy, called rock candy, was easier to make. Rock candy was just crystalized sugar. People used it as a medicine or to help preserve food. Rock candy was also used in the rock and rye, a popular drink during the middle of the 1800s.
But rock candies of the time were made from cane sugar processed by slaves.
“Sugar was a big part of the economy of slavery. So, it was highly, highly volatile. The abolitionists boycotted sugar. And they would have beet sugar, and they would have maple sugar or nothing instead.”
The Civil War ended slavery, and after the war, sugar was readily available. What were known as inexpensive "penny candies," like Tootsie Rolls, became popular.
最新
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25