TREACLE (see Encyc.) or MERASSES, is a substance very wholesome, but of a taste disagreeably sweet. Methods have accordingly been proposed for purifying it, so as that it may, on many occasions, supply the place of refined sugar, which has long been at a price which a great number of poor persons cannot afford to pay for what must now be considered as a necessary of life. The following is the process for purifying treacle, given by the M. Cadet (Devaux) in the Feuille du Cultivateur, founded upon experiments made by Mr Lowitz of Peterburgh:
Take of treacle 24 lbs. of water 24 lbs. of charcoal, thoroughly burnt, 6 lbs. Bruise the charcoal grossly, mix the three substances in a caldron, and let the mixture boil gently upon a clear wood-fire. After it has boiled for half an hour, pour the liquor through a straining-bag, and then replace it upon the fire, that the superfluous water may be evaporated, and that the treacle may be brought to its original consistence. There is little or no loss by this operation, as 24 lbs. of treacle give nearly the same quantity of syrup.
This process has been repeated in the large way, and has succeeded: the treacle is sensibly ameliorated, so that
Trebisond. that it may be used for many dishes; nevertheless, those with milk, and the fine or aromatic liquors, are not near so good as with sugar.