SWEETENER SOLUTIONS
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Suzanne Callander looks at the fall from grace of sugar and the sweetener solutions that are available today to help confectionery manufacturers successfully overcome their sugar reduction challenges.
ugar has traditionally been the cornerstone ingredient in confectionery products, thanks to its ability to sweeten, preserve, and add texture. However, despite its natural credentials and its centuries-
long relationship with humans, sugar’s prominence in the modern diet has become a contentious issue in recent years. The first recorded use of sugar dates back to ancient times, with the earliest evidence of its production coming from India. Around 500 BC, ancient Indians discovered how to crystallize sugar from the sap of the sugar cane plant. This process allowed sugar to be stored and transported, marking the beginning of its journey across the globe. The cultivation and use of sugar cane were well
established in the Indian subcontinent by the 5th century AD, solidifying sugar’s role in human civilization. From India, the knowledge of sugar making spread to other parts of Asia, the Middle East, and eventually to Europe, where it was a prized and expensive spice, often used as a medicine or a preservative.
The establishment of sugar plantations in the Caribbean and Brazil dramatically increased sugar’s availability and reduced its cost, resulting in its transformation into a common ingredient in European kitchens. The industrial revolution further democratised sugar, making it more accessible to the general population which resulted in it becoming a key component of the modern diet – particularly in confectionery where its ability to preserve
fruits, create textures, and enhance flavours made it indispensable, heralding a golden age of sweets and candies.
When the tide turned
Despite its natural origins and its central role in the confectionery industry, consumer attitudes towards sugar have shifted significantly in recent years, rooted in a growing awareness of the adverse health implications associated with excessive sugar consumption, coupled with a broader consumer shift towards healthier lifestyles. A pivotal moment in sugar’s fall from favour came with the publication of several scientific studies which highlighted the negative health impacts of excessive sugar intake. These reports linked high sugar consumption to a range of health issues,
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