h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I'm reading Alice In Wonderland, and I'm at the part where she's at the March Hare's house and the doormouse is tellng this story about three sisters that lived on a treacle at the bottom of a well, and I was wondering, what the heck is a treacle?

Treacle is a thick,sweet, sticky liquid that is produced as part of sugar refining. The usual American word is molasses. So in referring to a treacle well, Carroll is being whimsical. Like everything else in the book,it's fantasy - which is a shame as there are several possible uses for a treacle well. Hope you're enjoying the book.

My British parents called golden syrup treacle? That is all we could get in Canada that was closest. Rogers Golden syrup. Molasses is totally different. I think! At least that is my reference.
Hoppa

Lots of Brits call syrup treacle. I was extremely disappointed when I discovered that treacle tart was actually boring old golden syrup. I believe syrup is the next stage in the refining process. Certainly the big British sugar companies produce tins of both. Both equally bad for you but good in baking . We only ever used treacle for Christmas cakes and Christmas puddings: one tin lasted years!

When I was at home, my parents used to put it on toast, bread,on pancakes(crepes in Canada) and in baking. No wonder I had major fillings in my teeth. I only use it in baking. It's really cool to hear about treacle. I am now famous amongst my Canadian friends for my Trifle and I don't even like Trifle I just make it for them.
Hoppa

Treacle is also none as 'black treacle', which gives you a better idea of what it is. Thick gunge that looks like crude oil. It's used to make bonfire toffee.

Does your nickname explain why you're reviving threads from the end of the last century?

No, that would be 0300 boredom

Treacle, molasses & golden syrup are definitely three different sugar based products. None of which I like on their own, but useful in baking!

I saw a treacle bible the other day. Something to do with odd translations somewhere in Jeremiah.

I have found something else out about the treacle well in Alice in Wonderland. Carroll based it on a treacle well in Binsey, and the treacle was a kind of balm used to cure blindness.