Ron the Yarn Spinner

 

  Sucre Filé

 

Sucre Filé  (French for "spun sugar")  sugar techniques had been around for centuries, dating back to at least the 15th century, when Italian chefs would melt sugar and then use a fork or whisk to spin it into thin threads that would harden into delicate, edible sculptures. This traditional method of creating spun sugar was labor-intensive and required significant skill and time. Two men inspired by Sucre Filé collaborated and created an  innovation to mechanize this process, making it more efficient and accessible. By using an electric machine that could melt the sugar and then use centrifugal force to spin it into fine threads, they simplified the process and made it possible to produce large quantities of spun sugar quickly and easily. This mechanization turned the laborious art of spun sugar into a delightful and affordable treat,.

 

It was in 1904 at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, more commonly known as the St. Louis World’s Fair, that “Fairy Floss”  was first offered to the public. It was an instant success, cementing its place as an amusement park staple for generations to come. More than 69,000 boxes were sold at the fair. The charming name reflected the magical, ethereal quality of the sweet treat as if it were spun from the very threads of fantasy. The combination of its unique texture, sweet taste, and the joy of watching it being made created an irresistible allure that has not diminished to this day. A treat once reserved solely for the super-rich, tens of millions of servings of candy floss are “coned” for kids – and adults too  each year. (Paris Hiton and Britany Spears are big fans)  And the “thanks”  go to William Morrison and John C. Wharton, two innovators from Nashville. Their unexpected partnership brought together unique professional backgrounds, leading to the creation of this gossamer candy that has since become a beloved symbol at carnivals and fairs worldwide.

 

William Morrison, a.k.a.,  Dr. William James Morrison, was not only a dentist but also an avid inventor  Born in 1860, Morrison held several patents. It is perhaps his understanding of his patients’ love for sweets prompted him to create a treat that was mostly air and less sugar per serving.

John C. Wharton’s background in confectionery gave the duo the necessary expertise to innovate within the candy-making industry. His understanding of the properties of sugar and its behavior under heat and centrifugal force was crucial to the machine’s success.

 

How the two inventors exactly got together is not known, but the outcome of their partnership was a patented invention that would introduce a new era of confectionery delights. The cotton candy machine was not only innovative in its ability to produce a unique sweet treat but also in its use of electricity, a modern marvel at the time. .

 

The term "cotton candy" became popular in the United States around the 1920s probably because of its visual resemblance  to soft, fluffy cotton. Today, "cotton candy" is the prevalent term in the United States, while "fairy floss" remains commonly used in Australia and New Zealand. In the UK, they call it "candy floss."

The name as well as the classical treat itself has changed somewhat over time with the advent of cotton candy burritos—a whimsical concoction wrapping scoops of ice cream in a blanket of cotton candy, intricate cotton candy art, and more. See Burger King’s recent promotion:

Available nationwide while supplies last, the deliciously sweet Frozen Cotton Candy beverage offers a delicious balance of blue raspberry and cotton candy flavor, making it the perfect treat to ignite (and cool off) those tastebuds this summer.

 

Cotton Candy’s legacy spans from castles to carnivals. It’s a story that celebrates ingenuity and the joy of simple pleasure, but it is more.

The sight and smell of cotton candy can instantly remind you of  fun events.

The connection between smells and emotions is due to the close link between  your nose  and the  part of the brain that processes emotions and memories. For many people, enjoying cotton candy as a child during summer outings with family or friends created lasting, happy memories. And  cotton candy's airy, sweet nature feels just right on carefree and  warn  summer days, but it’s the aroma that  brings you back. It’s called "odor-evoked autobiographical memory."

And you thought it was just candy.

 

Meme:

Today a bowl cotton candy is regularly served  with your meal at  Gray & Dudley’s,  a Nashville restaurant housed in a building linked to the businessman who sold and leased the cotton candy machines around the world.

 

May God Bless America.