History of sugar and spice

THE HISTORY OF SUGAR AND SPICE
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The introduction of sugar as a commodity of consumption in Europe brought radical changes in people’s lifestyles. Earlier days of 1000 AD sugar was introduced to the nobles and the wealthy merchants of Europe who became lovers of the product though it was very costly it became part of their diet. It was until the later days of 1900 that the middle class got sugar and they incorporated it into their food with great urgency. Sugar was associated with well-being, happy lifestyles, and sexuality because it’s a source of energy. It was incorporated into character, charity, music, and poetry. It eased hard situations, brought life to desperate situations, bringing refreshment than any other product. (1)
Spices in Europe were used as incense in religious gatherings and celebrations to bring a sweet aroma to the congregants. Musk and camphor were used by medical practitioners to cure or prevent diseases. Spices were used by the wealthy European merchants in their food such as the European cuisine thus showing off dominion and possessions. (2) The government got involved in the spice trade to protect the traders and their sources of supply.
Comparing both arguments the introduction of both commodities brought changes in the nation. Consumers changed their lifestyles in order to accommodate the new goods, traders now chose to concentrate on these new businesses forsaking their previous activities, and the government engaged in protecting them by advancing technology.

Mintz makes a case for the power of sugar in nation building where he presents sugar as a necessary food commodity with the capability of improving lifestyles by alleviating the mood of its consumers. This is a positive effect that increases the productivity of workers. Freedman also presents spices as a product that is used in medical cases and in food which promotes the good health of the nation. This proves the power of food in contributing to the development of a country.
Both historians make the same argument concerning the relationship between food and power. They both agree that food is a source of power and the more you have, the more powerful you are.
Bibliography
Baca, George. “Sidney W. Mintz: from the Mundial Upheaval Society to a dialectical anthropology.” Dialectical Anthropology40, no. 1 (2016).
Freedman, Paul. “Health, wellness and the allure of spices in the middle ages.” Journal of ethnopharmacology 167 (2015).