The beginnings of sugar production consisted mainly in Western Asia and Europe at first, but then had expanded to the Americas. This expansion, which occurred in the sixteenth century, had created a society which revolved around sugar. The exchange of sugar throughout the modern world helped form the capitalist society that we have today. The process of producing, trading and consuming sugar played a large part on the role of the individuals who performed these tasks. The high demand of sugar was beneficial to the European economy to gain a profit, but had also caused many hardships for the slaves and other peoples involved in the production of sugar. .
The growth of sugar consumption mainly arose from the fact that it was considered a luxury product to people. It was introduced to Europeans as something new, and unknown to their diet. In the past Europeans were never concerned with their diets, sugar allowed for more selection, and choice among foods. Sugar created a whole new market for other goods, and products that can be produced from sugar. This gave Europeans a feeling of luxury, which enabled sugar to become socially important. .
As a consumer Fredrick Slare defends sugar by claiming that sugar allows for merchants who are selling it to gain a profit. For instance "The grocer, who retails what the merchant furnishes by wholesale, is also concerned for the credit and good name of his defamed, and scandalized goods, out of which he has made his fortune, his family rich and wealthy"(Source #2, p.103). Slare also mentions that sugar is a preservative. "If we but examine the preserving quality of sugar, how it prevents many corruptible and perishing fruits and juices for months, such as will not keep 24 hours from turning sour"(Source# 2, p.107). Slare also addresses how sugar is a nourishing and natural substance. Slare states "It is not therefore reasonable to conclude that this excellent and pleasant sweet, which imitates our first and most natural food and nutriment, should be with praises embraced and used" (Source#2, p.
