[Sca-cooks] Sca-cooks Digest, Vol 8, Issue 79

[Johnna Holloway]

There comes a time of course when the printed recipes in the
16th century begin to change from the use of honey to using sugar.
There were a number of reasons for this including the fact that sugar 
works better.

"Nostradamus or Michel le Nostredame included much practical advice on 
the use of sugar versus honey in preparing certain preserves of fruits. 
This was a transitional period when the merits of sugar for certain 
preparations was being recognized and being promoted. Nostradamus 
recognized this situation, and he even goes far as to state:

           If I am to tell the truth, however, it is certain and there 
is no doubt about it that sugar is best for preserving jelly, because it 
will keep for a longer time. However, one can do as he likes in such 
matters, but as far as I am concerned, I award the honours to items 
preserved in sugar. [translation by Boeser. */The Elixirs of 
Nostradamus/*, p.128]"

This would have been 1555. See my article in TI or Artes Draconis for 
all the publication details.
The quotes above are taken from it.

Johnnae