Tag: Constantin fahlberg

In 1879, a chemist working with coal tar derivatives made a groundbreaking discovery when he forgot to wash his hands before eating. This serendipitous mistake is just one tale in the surprising history of how sweeteners have been discovered by accident, forever changing the food industry.

In 1879, a chemist named Constantin Fahlberg was working on coal tar derivatives when he accidentally discovered the first sugar-free substitute, a synthetic compound that would later be named saccharin. This landmark event initiated the development of the artificial sweetener industry and changed how people approached low-calorie foods and beverages.

Discovered by pure accident in 1879, saccharin became the world's first artificial sweetener, forever changing the way we consume sweet foods. This synthetic sugar substitute, with its calorie-free properties, paved the way for an entire industry dedicated to non-caloric options for dieters and diabetics.