Like the song says, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, but did you know doctors prescribed it to treat maladies in the 18th century? Sugar is more than just a sweetener for your coffee — it’s a sweet topic with a long history and many interesting uses. From its ancient origins to its place in the Milky Way (not the candy), this tasty ingredient may be more intriguing than you realize. SUGAR IS THOUSANDS OF YEARS OLD. Sugar has been a pantry staple for our entire lifetimes, but its origins go back to 8000 BCE. Researchers believe sugar cane plants were first cultivated in New Guinea and used by native people as chewing gum. One of the earliest written mentions of sugar was in The Mahabhashya of Patanjali, a study of Sanskrit, written around 400–350 BCE. Over time, sugar cane plants made their way across the globe, coming to America in the 15th century. Sugar cane is now one of the most produced crops in the world. SUGAR WASN’T ORIGINALLY A SWEETENER. Though visions of cupcakes and other desserts spring to mind when we think of sugar, it was first used as a spice and medicine. In 9th century Iraq, it was combined with fruits and spices to create medical syrups and infusions. British doctors prescribed it to treat a wide range of ailments, including eye irritations, which were treated by blowing sugar right into a person’s eye. When it came to England, the wealthy first used it to season savory dishes. It wasn’t until the 19th century that working-class people began to use it to sweeten baked goods or tea. THERE’S SUGAR IN SPACE. Sugar is literally out of this world. In 2000, scientists discovered a simple form of sugar called glycolaldehyde in the center of the Milky Way and near a star about 400 light years away from the Earth. While this isn’t the same type of sugar we consume, it plays a significant role in creating DNA and could signal the possibility of life outside our planet. Sweet Secrets Candied Facts About Simple Sugar
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
Inspired by AllRecipes.com
INGREDIENTS •
1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed
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1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice 1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts 8 slices day-old bread Maple syrup, to taste
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1/2 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée
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• •
3 large eggs
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1 tsp ground cinnamon
Take A Break Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup. DIRECTIONS 1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat. 2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3.
Next time you sprinkle sugar on your cereal or enjoy a sweet treat, remember you’re indulging in a fascinating ingredient with a history as rich as its flavor!
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