The Spanish Candy in Wedges above has been made with dark red gilly-flowers and gilded
with gold leaf. Like the flower petals, the gold was thought to be a strong cordial substance,
having a direct and positive effect on the heart. - from http://www.historicfood.com/


The Gilly-flower was a small carnation or large pink. The most esteemed were dark 'orient red'.

To Preserve all kinde of Flowers in the Spanish Candy in Wedges
From A Book of Fruits and Flowers (London: 1653)

Take Violets, Cowslips, or any other kinde of Flowers, pick them, and temper them with the pap of two roasted Apples, and a drop or two of Verjuice, and a graine of Muske, then take halfe a pound of fine hard Sugar, boyle it to the height of Manus christi, then mix them together, and pour on a wet Pye plate, then cut it in Wedges before it be thorough cold, gild it, and so you may box it, and keep it all the year. It is a fine sort of Banquetting stuffe, and newly used, your Manus Christi must boyle a good while, and be kept with good stirring.