Sugar Facts

Sugar is one of the oldest ingredients, dating back to 326 BC! Learn other interesting facts you may not have known about sugar:

In 327 BC, Alexander the Great discovered the sugar cane; it then spread through Persia and introduced it in the Mediterranean.
Sugar’s name originated from the Sanskrit word “Sharkara,” which means “material in a granule form.”
Christopher Columbus introduced sugar to the New World in 1493 on his second voyage.
Sugar was called “White Gold”: Until the late 1700's, sugar was a luxury that European nobility used to validate their rank and social power.
Sugar does help the medicine go down! It’s an important component of many modern medicines.
Some people say that one teaspoon of sugar swallowed “dry” can cure the hiccups!
Sugar has no fat and is 100% natural.
Sweet is the only taste humans are born desiring.
Some plants can make their own sugar— when a banana ripens, it changes starch into sugar, making it sweeter.
In 2001, scientists found sugar in outer space!
Sugar helps bread or doughnuts rise when they’re baked.
Sugar cane stalks can reach 30 feet high!
Sugar prolongs the life of fresh cut flowers.
Sugar is an important source of carbohydrate—the body’s main energy supply.

Salt Facts

Roman soldiers were sometimes paid in salt - which is where the word 'salary' comes from. Difficult to spend it in restaurants today though.
Every cell in the body contains salt - an adult contains about 250 grammes, equivalent to a box of Maldon Salt.
In old Japanese theatres, salt was sprinkled on to the stage before each performance to prevent evil spirits from casting a spell on the actors. Sprinkling salt around your home may have the same effect today.
Salt is used to remove traces of water from aviation fuel after it is purified.
At one time salt bars were the standard currency of Ethiopia. It’s still worth taking a pack of Maldon, for emergencies.
Salt was used to preserve Egyptian mummies (and in the pies eaten by Egyptian daddies).
Salt removes red wine stains (though probably not from your best cream carpet).
Sodium is key in the operation of all signals within, as well as to and from, the brain.

Elementary English R21 / 22