Literary notes about Confection (AI summary)
Literary usage of the word "confection" reflects a fascinating evolution of its meaning across different contexts. In early modern literature, such as Ben Jonson’s works, the term is used to denote a delicately prepared treat—a MOSCADINO flavored with musk appears in both "Every Man in His Humor" [1] and "The Alchemist" [2]. This culinary sense is echoed in Thomas Jefferson’s writings, where an exotic preparation is referred to as a confection made from specific ingredients [3]. In medicinal texts by T. H. Pardo de Tavera, the term shifts to describe preparations made from natural products like fruit and gum, employed for their therapeutic properties [4][5]. Finally, William H. Ukers documents how berries initially prized as a confection in early stages of development later paved the way for liquid refreshments, and notes that coffee finds its way into various desserts as a key flavoring agent [6][7].
- MOSCADINO, confection flavoured with musk.
— from Every Man in His Humor by Ben Jonson - MOSCADINO, confection flavoured with musk.
— from The Alchemist by Ben Jonson - diapenidion , It. diapenídio , cp. diapiéde , ‘a diapedon or confection made of Penids ’ (Florio).
— from The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America by Thomas Jefferson - They also use the gum made by evaporating the juice of the ripe fruit, as a confection and an antiscorbutic.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - The whole fruit is used in making a confection often prescribed as an astringent.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - At one stage of its development, before it became generally accepted as a liquid refreshment, the berries found favor as a confection.
— from All About Coffee by William H. Ukers - Coffee can be used as a flavoring in almost any dessert or confection where a flavoring agent is employed.
— from All About Coffee by William H. Ukers
