[Sca-cooks] [OOP] Mrs. Beeton's Sifted Sugar

[Decker, Terry D.]

The commercial extraction process was worked out in the late 18th Century
and the first beet sugar extraction plant was established in 1802.  By 1850
about 15 percent of the world sugar supply was from beet sugar.

English sugar of the 1860's was probably cane sugar, but French and Central
European sugar might well be beet sugar.

As an interesting aside, at the Alexandrian Symposium on Food and Feasting
this weekend, the question arose as to whether the Poles had beet sugar
within period.  It was averred rather loudly and without documentation that
they did.  I chose not to disrupt the talk by arguing the point.  However,
the person giving the talk mentioned that the Polish word in context meant
"sugar from Spain."  I seriously doubt had there been any viable beet sugar
production, the Poles would have needed to import cane sugar from Spain.
Opinions, comments, or documentation, anyone?

Bear

> Probably. I can get sugarloaves in supermarkets
> here, though they're all beet sugar. AFAIK English
> sugar in 1860 would mostly have been cane sugar,
> or?
>
> Giano