Sugar confusion

[bunnyjadwiga]

Why is it that so many people are so convinced that beet sugar (invented in the Napoleonic era) is *more* ancient and specifically medieval than cane sugar (the original form of sugar)? Why do people think that cane sugar was not available in the middle ages and renaissance?

What can we do to combat this?

Comments

[beccalynnlaw]

I think TransJordan, when I think cane sugar...but then, I spent a summer digging up 13-16thc. Mamluk sugar jars.

[pedropadrao.livejournal.com]

Lucky you!

[beccalynnlaw]

I know....I am still in the process of scanning all those pictures (this being back before I had a digital camera)...