Black treacle is a thick, dark, sugar syrup containing cane molasses to create a somewhat bitter flavor. It's made with the uncrystallized syrup that remains after sugar is refined. Though it's similar to pure molasses, black treacle isn't as bitter; however, blackstrap molasses is quite similar in flavor. Golden syrup is also a type of treacle, though it's light in color, sweeter, and often substituted with corn syrup in recipes.
Before the 17th century, treacle was used in medicine rather than as a sweetener. It was thought to be an antidote for poison and snakebites, among other ailments.
