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Original 1600s Sugar Plums

Original 1600s Sugar Plums

$4.75 USD
$4.75 USD
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DESCRIPTION

What exactly are Sugar Plums? These sugar plums will tell it all. This collection contains tasty little orbs, with a tiny fennel seed inside, made in France since 1591. You’ll also find sugar coated fennel, enjoyed by the British centuries ago and still popular in India today, and of course, sugar coated almonds, a favorite from the ancient Mediterranean. Each of the candies has a seed or nut at the center and a sugar coating to give them a smooth, sweet coating, often flavored with a floral essence. They have been used as a digestive after a full meal, gifts at weddings and other celebrations, breath fresheners and, above all, tasty sweets enjoyed any time of day.

Product Details

Size: 3.5 ounces in a 2x6" bag

Sugar, Almonds, Wheat Flour, Dextrin, Corn Syrup, Artificial Flavors, FD&C Yellow Lake #5, Yellow Lake #6, Red #3, Red #40, Blue Lake #1, Blue Lake #2, Titanium Dioxide, Carnauba Wax, Confectioners Glaze.

Allergen Disclaimer: Please note that our products are made in a facility that processes peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, soy, and wheat. While we take precautions to prevent cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee that our products are allergen-free.

Historical Insights

Around the 16th century a process known as “panning” enabled widespread distribution of nuts, seeds, and fruits. At that time, confectioners coated the almond with gum Arabic in a “balancing pan” suspended over a large, low fire. There they rolled the seed or nut in sugar syrup. To keep the sugar coating even and the sugar from crystalizing, the confectioners had to keep the ingredients in constant motion, stirring with one hand and moving the pan with the other while controlling the temperature of the heat by controlling the intensity of the fire.  Next, the confectioner let the candy dry for a day or two, then began the process again, adding layer upon layer over a period of weeks. They may have added food coloring, such as mulberry juice or cochineal for red, indigo stone for blue, spinach for green, and saffron for yellow.

The result was called “sugar plums.” “Sugar” for the ingredient and “plums” for the word meaning “good.” In other words, good sugar. Today, the process takes place in large, rotating drums with coatings that include chocolate.[i]

[i] Susan Benjamin, “The Great American Seventeenth Century Sweet,” Sweet as Sin” (Prometheus Books, 2026, p.219-21)

Shipping

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Please allow 3-5 business days for processing new retail orders. Many of our products are hand-made and assembled, so some orders may experience some delays depending on availability. Most orders are shipped within 5 business days. If you have any questions or concerns about your order please reach out to us.

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The Sweet Journey Through Time Starts Here!

True Treats is the only historically accurate candy store in the world, bringing the past to life through researched sweets, teas, syrups, and more. Every product is rooted in history, telling the story of how people from all walks of life enjoyed treats through time. Leading this effort is Susan, a nationally recognized candy historian, researcher, and author who appears regularly on TV, radio, and in major publications. With over 40 years of experience, she has written ten books and founded True Treats to share the fascinating history of candy in a fun and delicious way. Susan’s work uncovers the surprising origins of America’s favorite sweets, from ancient uses of sugar to the candies of the 1900s. Through True Treats, Susan makes history an interactive experience, allowing customers to taste the past while learning the stories behind every bite.

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