The Dark History of Sugar: How It Changed the World Forever

How did sugar change the world? Follow sugarcane and sugar beets from the field to the crystals in your kitchen in Episode 3 of Ingredient Journey. Explore sugar's origins, farming and processing, its role in cooking, and its influence on global trade. This documentary also examines the history of slavery tied to sugar production, the evidence around sugar and health, and the people and environmental choices behind every packet. WATCH NEXT — SALT Follow salt from ancient seas to your kitchen table:    • Salt: From Ancient Seas to Your Kitchen Table   EXPLORE MORE INGREDIENT JOURNEYS Tea — from leaf to cup:    • Why All Tea Comes From One Plant   Coffee — from cherry to cup:    • Most People Don't Know Where Coffee Actual...   CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Sugar 01:21 Origins and History 03:14 Slavery and Colonial Trade 06:01 Sugarcane Harvesting 07:57 Sugar Beet Production 09:47 Processing Sugar into Crystals 11:50 Culinary Uses of Sugar 13:46 The Science of Sweet Cooking 16:01 Health and Nutrition 19:46 Sugar Markets and Prices 22:27 Labor and Worker Welfare 24:33 Environmental Impact WATCH THE SERIES Explore Coffee, Tea, Sugar, and Salt in our Food Documentaries playlist:    • Ingredient Journey | Food Documentaries   ABOUT INGREDIENT JOURNEY Cinematic documentaries exploring food history, farming, science, and culture. Every ingredient has a story. Subscribe to explore the world, one ingredient at a time. #Sugar #FoodDocumentary #IngredientJourney