What are Sugar Plums? Unravel the History and Magic - The Dairy Alliance (2024)

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Clement Moore’s poem,“’Twasthe Night Before Christmas,”first published in 1823, describes “visions of sugar plums" dancing in the children’s heads as they sleep.Confirming that it’s not amade-upfood like roast beast,Tchaikovsky’sTheNutcrackerfeatures“TheDance of the Sugarplum Fairy,”which debuted in 1892, or nearly 70 years after themost well-known reference.It’s a real food,amuch-discussedsweet come December,but it’s one few see today. What are sugar plums, and why is thatchallengingSanta’s milk and cookies?

What are Sugar Plums and Where Do They Come From?

Well, they’re notsugar-coated plums.

Instead, asugar plum is a piece of hard candy made of hardened sugarcoating and a seed, nut, or spice, nota plum or anotherfruit.In fact, part of the name, "plum," refers toitssmall size and oval shape, not its taste.

This sweet treat was tricky to makewhen it was were popular.Thehardsugar coatings had to be gradually built up over timein aprocess,called “panning,”thathad to be repeated until up to 30 layers of sugar had been added, taking several days to create.Massively labor-intensive,sugar coatedtreats like sugar plumswerea luxury. Sugar plums were originallymadefor aristocrats, not sleepy childrenwaiting for Santa Claus,onlybecomingavailable to the massesin the 1860sthanks tomanufacturers.Once available at a lower price, each manufacturer created their own name for the candy, leadingthe term “sugar plum” to phase out of popularity.

For those excited by the idea of candiedplums, never fear! Around the holidays, a Google search for“sugar plum candy” will provide plenty of options, whether it’s a sugared plum or a modern sugar plum with a center of dried fruits and honey.There are plenty of options to try.Andtoday,moderncandied plums are often served with various cookies, so have a glass of milk on hand.

Are you dreaming of sugar plums yet?

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What are Sugar Plums? Unravel the History and Magic - The Dairy Alliance (2024)

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What are Sugar Plums? Unravel the History and Magic - The Dairy Alliance? ›

What are Sugar Plums and Where Do They Come From? Well, they're not sugar-coated plums. Instead, a sugar plum is a piece of hard candy made of hardened sugar coating and a seed, nut, or spice, not a plum or another fruit. In fact, part of the name, "plum," refers to its small size and oval shape, not its taste.

What is the history of the sugar plum? ›

In essence, sugar plums are sugar coated seeds or nuts first made in the 17th century. They were made by skilled craftsmen who apprenticed for years, absorbing the nuances of a trade that makes Julia Child look like a scullery maid in comparison.

What do sugar plums represent? ›

“Given the cost and time involved in producing them, the sugar plum was also associated with money,” Benjamin said. “If someone was giving a bribe, they were said to be stuffing that person's mouth with sugar plums. 'Plum' was also 18th-century slang for a large amount of money.”

What is a sugar plum slang? ›

Wiktionary. Term of endearment; sweetheart, darling. Wiktionary. Alternative spelling of sugar-plum. Wiktionary.

What is the purpose of the Sugar Plum Fairy? ›

The Sugar Plum Fairy is about the hope and faith that there is something in life far greater, more beautiful, and more powerfully good than any earthly human being. We can each aspire to be like her in some way and she will bring us to a higher spiritual place.

Are sugar plums a real thing? ›

Instead, a sugar plum is a piece of hard candy made of hardened sugar coating and a seed, nut, or spice, not a plum or another fruit. In fact, part of the name, "plum," refers to its small size and oval shape, not its taste. This sweet treat was tricky to make when it was were popular.

What does the sugar plum fairy mean spiritually? ›

Fairies are the spirits (sprites) of flora and fauna. The Sugar Plum Fairy is not a plum; rather, she is the natural, spiritual intelligence or force behind the plum. She therefore is something inner, within.)

What are plums a metaphor for? ›

It can be argued that the plums in the poem represent any number of things, with a common interpretation being that they symbolize the speaker's inability to resist the allure of pleasure or satisfaction.

What does the plum represent in the Bible? ›

The plumb line then is the image — the parable — of God's holy and righteous standard for Israel. It served as a measuring line representing Israel's failure, and how far they had fallen from God's guiding principles.

What is a synonym for sugar plum? ›

bonbon confectionery confiture delight enjoyment gratification joy pleasure pudding sweetmeat.

What is a sugar plum kid definition? ›

I call children “sugarplum” - also “cantaloupe”, “pumpkin”, “kombucha squash” or whatever fruit, vegetable, or delightful creature is nearby at the time (“l*ttle tiger”, “smart stuff”, “bunny”, “dragon” “panda bear”) It's typically a compliment, or a term of endearment.

What does it mean to be a plummy girl? ›

In Britain, it's used far more often as an informal way to say "very desirable," like an actor's plummy role in a new movie, or "upper class," like your wealthy cousin's plummy accent. It's also applied to sounds that are rich and full. Definitions of plummy. adjective. very desirable.

What is the spiritual meaning of The Nutcracker? ›

According to German folklore, nutcrackers we given as keepsakes to bring luck to the family and protect the home. It is said that they represent strength and power and watches over the family keeping evil spirits and danger away.

What is the history of sugar plums? ›

The term sugar plum came into general usage in the 17th century. During that time, adding layers of sweet which give sugar plums and comfits their hard shell was done through a slow and labor-intensive process called panning.

Is the Sugar Plum Fairy good or bad? ›

She is an evil fairy who seeks to conquer all Four Realms, using Mother Ginger as the pawn in her schemes. She manages to make her intentions hidden until a point where Clara and Philip discover it, at which point they dedicate their efforts in stopping Sugar Plum and saving the Four Realms.

Why are sugar plums associated with Christmas? ›

Sugar plums are widely associated with Christmas, through cultural phenomena such as the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker (composed by Tchaikovsky, 1892), as well as the line, "The children were nestled all snug in their beds/While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads," from Clement C.

Is the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker? ›

In English National Ballet's Nutcracker, Clara herself transforms into the Sugar Plum Fairy at the end of the ballet. After her many adventures, and after the Mouse King has been defeated, she transforms into the Sugar Plum for the lavish celebration that takes place in an enchanted garden.

Is the Sugar Plum Fairy related to Christmas? ›

It comes from the ballet The Nutcracker whose story is set at Christmas and the ballet is traditionally produced around Christmas time. So it is associated with Christmas.

What is the meaning of sugar in a plum? ›

The line " sugar in a plum " is often interpreted as a metaphor for the girl 's sweetness and charm , as a plum is a sweet and juicy fruit .

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