Smurgis-on-go

A few days ago I spent quite a bit of time searching for brown sugar for my next baking project at the local stores in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (I have to mention the fact that majority of Russian people are very conservative in their ingredient choices and white sugar is the only kind widely known in Motherland). I wondered hopelessly until I found what I thought I was looking for, although the contents of the package did not even look like sugar. It resembled hot sands of an African desert. I found Demerara - Moroccan sugar. "Hello, I whispered, it is a pleasure to meet you. Where are you from, my friend? You must be coming from a warm faraway land! Your lovely golden tan gives you away!"

According to the info on the back of the package, "Demerara's high level of retained molasses is responsible for its distinct golden color, its sand-like texture and its unique fragrant flavor of Moroccan memories."

I have to say, my affections for Moroccan culture can only compare to the affection Moroccan people share for sugar itself. So it felt like the marketing message on the package I was holding in my hands, was directed specifically at me, inviting me on a journey to the land so dear to my heart. But if the thought of getting lost in the quick sands of endless Sahara does not pump adrenaline into your blood, then you should forget all about and move on with your life, because African adventures are not meant for you.

Then assortment of sweets you find anywhere along the Moroccan portion of Trans Saharan route is narrow and suspiciously consistent. From Marrakesh to Casablanca, at any crowded little market to any posh and quiet cafe at a five-star hotel you find the same set of sweet offerings: traditional honey-dipped sugar biscuits, sugar-dusted almond briouats, glazed dates saber, sweet rosewater baklava and Turkish delight drenched in cardamom syrup. When you sum it all up, what you get is a sugar-dusted sugarcane soaked in sugar syrup. All of a sudden, the surprisingly short drink menu you are presented with anywhere you go is not so spurring any more. So whether you like it or not, the only choice you have is to chase your sugary adventure with tiny sips of burning hot and overwhelmingly strong traditional mint tea...

...learn more about getting to the Sweet sand Paradise in my future book;)