Abram Lyle started selling Golden Syrup in 1883. It has since become a famous British brand and is a key ingredient in many cake and biscuit recipes. Golden Syrup is produced in the sugar refining process and was previously thrown away as a useless by-product until Abram Lyle saw its usefulness. It is extremely sweet. It is probably best known as the main ingredient for upside-down pudding.

Henry Tate (famous for his white sugar) joined forces with Abram Lyle in 1921 after intense competition between the two and became the largest sugar refinery in the world. The company is still going strong and has invented the new product Splenda - though Tate & Lyle are still best known for their syrup and sugar.

Tate & Lyle describe their product as "Partially inverted syrup with a golden colour and distinctive flavour". It comes in a distinctive green tin (good for shipping) and bears the image of a lion's carcass and the quotation "Out of the strong came forth sweetness", taken from an Old Testament story from Judges 14. Abram Lyle was obviously a very religious fellow.

It is increasingly being sold worldwide but you may still have difficulty in more remote areas. Make a request from the UK Gopher and he will ship some direct to your door.