The Sweet Art of Confectionery: A Look at Sugar Confections and Their History

Confectionery, also called sugar confectionery, is the art of making sweet treats that are typically made with sugar, chocolate, and sometimes nuts or other ingredients. The term "confection" refers to the end product, which can be anything from a piece of candy to a box of chocolates to a decorated cake.

Confections can be divided into two main categories: hard-boiled confections, which are made by cooking sugar and other ingredients until they reach a specific temperature, and soft confections, which are made by mixing sugar and other ingredients together without cooking them. Hard-boiled confections include things like caramels, toffees, and peanut brittle, while soft confections include things like marshmallows, fondant, and gummi bears.

Confectionery has been around for centuries, with evidence of sugar confectionery dating back to ancient civilizations in Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Today, confectionery is a multi-billion dollar industry that employs thousands of people around the world and is enjoyed by people of all ages.