Tag: Fraxinus ornus

Manna sugar is the dried, crystallized sap from the bark of the manna ash tree, a harvesting tradition that has existed in Mediterranean regions like Sicily for centuries. This natural exudate, known simply as 'manna,' is composed of D-mannitol and has been valued for generations for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

The term “manna” originated with the Israelites’ question, “What is it?”, upon first encountering the mysterious food source in the desert. Today, the name refers to several distinct substances, from biblical miracle food to tree sap and commercial products. So, is manna healthy to eat, or is its nutritional value a modern myth?