category: food/groceries: Länderküche: Australien: desserts/sweets

Manna

Manna is closely related to honeydew, a sweet liquid produced by aphids and scale insects. In the sun, the water contained in honeydew evaporates and the sugar stays on the leaves as a white residue. This is sometimes called manna and may be the source of the manna mentioned in the bible.

A different form of manna is found in Australia. It is not produced by insects but provoked by them. Some eucalypt varieties (especially Eucalyptus viminalis and E. mannifera) produce large amounts of a sugary liquid through their leaves when attacked by insects. When this liquid evaporates, the sugar falls to the ground in large, white flakes. Australian Aborigine collect manna for immediate eating or mix it with water to obtain a sweet drink. Manna is not used in modern bushtucker cuisine.

Visitors of this page also viewed:
Australian Aboriginal sweet foods
Gum and resin
Honeydew
Sugarbag