The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-12-13
CHRISTMAS CANDIES

CHRISTMAS CANDIES.
In the minds Of the small and youthful
members of the family, Christmas is the
synonym for candy-the open seasame TO
z wilderness Of sweets and unrestricted
freedom to revel therein.
What though they be warned and adj
monished Of the reckoning that may fol-
low unlimited self-indulgence in these
''pernicious products set to ensnare the
young and unwary appetizer" Sufficient
to their understanding is the fact that
candies are in evidence everywhere and
presented in every conceivable form and
color TO delight the eye and tempt the
ov er-willing skeet-toothe to its complete
gratihcationin the things it most delights
to feed upon.
Accordington some authorities, the de-
sire for sweets may be traced to wrong
training of the child and a perversion of
the natural simplicity of its tastes to the
artificial appetite for this form of diet.
Others, who perhaps having q sweet tooth
of their own to contend with, are more
inclined, through fellow feeling TO theor-
ize thus-the desire of the child for the
condemned goodies" is the natural cray-
ing of the sugar which should be, but is
not, supplied in sufficient amount for its
bodily needs by including plenty of fruit.
grains and bread in the dietary. True,
the amount CT sugar required by the
growing child is comparatively small and
easily supplied by the foods mentioned,
as well as some others as common. The
danger in candy eating is fret the possi-
bility of larger amount of sugar taken
into the system than is required or that
can be utilized; this soon leads to de-
rargement of the digestive functions. loss
of appetite for more wholesome fare. at
least, and later impaired health Cheap
candies. or that class of sweets usually
known as cheap bonbons. deserve the
severest condemnation. for frequently
substances are added TO increase weight,
and change texture. give color. etc.
which are certainly not suitable to In
troduce into the system. Very cheap
candles may have substances added, such
as starch and gum. which are not, in
themselves harmful except as the manner
of using them may make them so; all
though pure gum candies such as gum
drops. do not disturb the digestion as
surely as over-indulgence in sugar
sweets
pure candies of course-is that children
naturally like sugar and detest fats.
Presented to them in the unqualified form
of sugar and fat they most assuredly
reject the fats. But nature does not Of
fer the lfe-giving and DEMONSTRATING eie-
ments in crude, uninviting forms. AnC is
there a child who in its mate love for
edible nuts OF all kinds does not demon
strate her wisdom. for leave the child to-
make it's own choice, and its preference
will invariably be for the common black
walnut, which, next 10 the Brazil nut,
is the most oily of sll nuts. 1t may be
said here that careful observation win
show that child's natural distaste for
fat, pure and simple. does not extend to
the pure. delicately favored vegetable"
fats, hut for those of animal origin.
But to return to our sWeetmeats. One
high authority tells us that "Everton
toffee" is highly nutritious substance,
and makes an agreeable substitute for
cod-liver oil aud malt in case of ill-nour-
ished children. This will meet the I'M
qualified approval of every child who has
ever been forced, cajoled or beguiled
into taking a dose of codliver Ola long
use of the toffee anudote cannot fully
eradicate the taste of the horrid dose
that clings TO the memory even after the
child has grown tall.
Sugar or rock candy" is considered the
most wholesome, as it is the purest. This
consists of cane sugar made into heavy
syrup and allowed 10 crystalize around
threads. 1t contains about twenty per
cent OF water and about eighty per cent
of crystalized sugar
The objection to very brittle candies
Isl on account of the teeth; and both
teeth and stomach are liable to suffer
from 2 let of sweetmests The danger
10 the teeth is explained as arising from
the fact that under the influence of Tactic
acid ferment always present in the
mouth sugary substances and carbohy-
drates generally are partially deconposed
into lacuc acid. which attacks the sub
stance of the teeth, giving entrance to
e fungus causing carries. Much Of the
inevitable % pain and expense caused
py imperfect teeth might be avoided if
children were taught TO carefully brush
their teeth, using plenty Of water. after
eating.
To insure purity of ingredients and
also obtain a greater quantity Of finest
your own Christmas candies With
few of the most necessary utensils,
variety of harmless coiorings. favorings.
fruit nuts. etc. you can make the most
delicious confec;ions- You can so closely
initiate the costly bonbons with French
names in all but the artistic finish, that
once you have acquired a little practice
you will ever afteward have lost your
taste for the store article.
Boiled Sugar Candies.
Sugar heated 10 different degrees gives
different kinds OF candy and alone viii
give al shades Of color from pure white
Through different degrees to yellow.
orange reddish brown 10 dark brown
an. rIsck To these may be added favor
ings. butter, fruit and nuts and we may
have q delicious variety OF the clear and
brittle candies.
Cane sugar melts when heated az S5
deg F.. clear, coloriess LIQUID. which
when cast into mods forms transpar-
ent solid known as barley sugar.
AT 40 deg r. the sugar Is converted
into , DARK brown substance known as
caramel brown. This Is the darkest OF
the eolorinSs used fo- candies 4 soiu-
ton OF caramel is much Used for color
ing soups end sauces. for creams, etc.
When cane sugar Is TOO strongly heated
ueyon2 the caramel degree. * j. posi-
bie to remove the colo-.ns hy making
It into a solution and mixing II with :
n;,le animal charcoal. the liG5sid IS than
filtered.
Utensils for Home Candy Makine-
The kitchen range. gas or even al etl
stove that will give good clear IRE IS