Divinity (confectionery)

Divinity
Type Confection
Main ingredients Egg whites, corn syrup, and sugar or brown sugar
Cookbook: Divinity  Media: Divinity

Divinity is a nougat-like confection made with egg white, corn syrup, and sugar. Optional ingredients such as flavors, chopped dried fruit and chopped nuts are frequently added. Replacing the sugar with brown sugar results in a related confection called "sea foam".

History

Believed to have originated in the U.S. during the early 1900s, the candy's current form can be traced to a recipe from 1915. Another earlier version, which included the use of milk, can be traced to around 1907.[1]

One proposed theory for its origins is that in the early 20th century, corn syrup (a major ingredient) was starting to be used as a popular sugar substitute. New recipes for its use were being frequently created by the major manufacturers, one of which may have been divinity.[1]

The origins of the name are not clear. The most popular theory is simply that when first tasted, someone declared it to be, "Divine!" and the name stuck.[1]

Divinity has at times been referred to as a "Southern candy", most likely because of the frequent use of pecans in the recipe. It eventually made its way north, and today its recipe can be found in most cookbooks.[1]

Weather and altitude

Humidity during preparation can affect the quality of divinity. For a batch to be successful, the humidity must be low enough for the candy to dry properly.

Due to the high amounts of sugar, divinity acts like a sponge. If the environment is very humid (over 50%) the candy will absorb moisture from the air, remaining gooey. Under the right conditions, it is a soft, white candy which should be dry to the touch.

Divinity, like many other confections and baked goods, needs to have its recipe altered for high-altitude areas (over 3500 feet). One method is to reduce the temperature of the sugar mixture by about ten degrees Fahrenheit.

The B-52's' song "Give Me Back My Man" features the line "Throws Divinity on the sand", as the narrator's attempt to entice a hungry shark into returning her man in exchange for the candy. This explanation is provided by Cindy in the book "The B-52's Universe" by Mats Sexton. The band, being from Athens, Georgia would be familiar with this Southern candy.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Lynne Olver. "Food Timeline FAQs: candy". Food Timeline. Retrieved 2014-10-20. ... food historians generally agree that Divinity ... is an early 20th century American invention. ... One of the primary ingedients in early Divinity recipes is corn syrup, a product actively marketed to (& embraced by) American consumers as a sugar substitute at that time. Corn syrup was affordable (economical), practical (shelf-stable), and adapted well to most traditional recipes. Karo brand corn syrup, introduced by the Corn Products Refining Company in 1902, was/is perhaps the most famous. It is no coincidence that early Karo cooking brochures contain recipes for Divinity.
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