Tightly capped, many granular sweeteners keep indefinitely. Store liquid sweeteners, such as corn syrup and honey, in a cool place. Brown rice syrup, maple syrup, amasake, jams and jellies should be kept in the refrigerator to avoid molds. The average American consumes approximately 137.5 pounds of sugar each year. More than half of that comes from sugars in packaged products.
Sugar is the number one food additive used in America today.
In Renaissance Italy, sugar was a costly, prestigious food. The rich added it to nearly everything, including hors d'oeuvres and pasta. In great displays of wealth, they would have table decorations, plates, tablecloths and napkins made of spun sugar. The Nutrition Bible. Ensminger, Audry, M.E. Ensminger, James E. Konlande, and John R. K. Robson.