Donate

Sweet Product, Sour History

Innovation Hub
February 19, 2014

    Historian Elizabeth Abbott tells us the story of how people first fell in love with sugar – despite the high human cost of producing it.

    Will you support The World?

    The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. Now more than ever, we need your help to support our global reporting work and power the future of The World. Can we count on you?

    Latest Headlines

    Anti-immigrant sentiment rises in South Africa
    Are women behind the move in Spain to legalize undocumented immigrants?
    Scottish soccer fans aim to skirt World Cup train costs by hiring a fleet of school buses
    Plan to kill dozens of wild hippos linked to Pablo Escobar generates fierce debate in Colombia
    Asia’s ‘cleanest village’ tries to find a balance between tourists and calm
    Efforts to decolonize Berlin as UN calls for reparations to right ‘historical wrongs’
    Mexico plans to reform its healthcare system — but can it deliver?
    Czech Republic bans communist symbols in May Day parades
    International jazz musician Fabiola Méndez and her cuatro
    Investors rush to explore Venezuela’s economic opening — but big bets remain elusive
    More stories

    Categories

    Uncategorized

    Tags

    WGBH News, Innovation Hub, history, sugar, industry, food industry, health,

    The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

    Produced by

    Thanks to our sponsor

    1. Progressive Insurance logo

    Major funding provided by

    1. Carnegie Corporation of New York

    1. About
    2. Contact
    3. Donate
    4. Meet the Team
    5. Privacy
    6. Terms of use

    ©2026 The World from PRX

    PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402.