Treacle

Treacle is a thick, sticky, dark brown syrup produced during the refining of sugar. It has a rich, sweet flavor and a slightly bitter undertone. It's primarily used as a sweetener, flavoring agent, and ingredient in various baked goods, confectionery, and beverages. Historically, treacle was a significant source of sugar before modern refining processes. There are different grades and types of treacle, including light treacle (golden syrup), which is lighter in color and less bitter, and black treacle (molasses), which is darker, thicker, and has a more intense flavor. The word 'treacle' is often used figuratively to describe something excessively sentimental, cloying, or excessively sweet, similar to its taste. It can also be used humorously to describe something that is very good or enjoyable.

Treacle meaning with examples

• The baker poured a generous amount of treacle over the gingerbread, creating a glistening, sticky glaze. The aroma of the warm treacle and spices filled the kitchen, making everyone eager to taste the freshly baked treats. Its rich sweetness perfectly complemented the spicy gingerbread.
• Her story was filled with so much treacle, with exaggerated happiness and perfect endings, that it began to lose its charm. The audience found the constant cheerfulness tiresome and the plot predictable, so they began to lose interest in her overly sentimental narrative.
• In the recipe for parkin, a traditional Yorkshire cake, treacle is a crucial ingredient. It gives the cake its distinctive dark color, chewy texture, and unique flavor. The interaction of treacle with the oats and other ingredients is essential to the cake's success.
• The old film was filled with such treacle that the modern audience found it hard to sit through, but the nostalgia-filled movie was beloved by an older generation who enjoyed the romanticized view of the world.