The dark side of sugar: a historical journey
A talk by Dr Neil Buttery, Food Historian and Evolutionary Biologist

Discover the complex history of sugar – from its ancient origins to its modern-day impact on global health and society. Dr Neil Buttery explores how this seemingly simple ingredient has shaped our world in profound and often troubling ways.

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Key Topics

This fascinating talk will explore the evolution of human taste preferences and why we developed such a strong attraction to sweet foods. Dr Buttery will trace sugar’s journey from ancient honey-hunting practices through to early sugar production, examining its significant role in medieval European society.

The discussion will then move to the colonial sugar trade and its lasting impact, before addressing modern sugar industry practices and their implications for public health. The talk concludes with an examination of current challenges and governmental responses to sugar consumption.

What You’ll Learn

You’ll discover how our ancestors sought out sweet foods as an essential survival strategy and follow sugarcane’s remarkable 10,000-year journey from Papua New Guinea across the globe. Dr Buttery will explain sugar’s transformation from luxury item to everyday commodity, while addressing the environmental and social impact of its production. The talk concludes with an examination of current debates surrounding sugar consumption and public health initiatives.

Content Notice

This talk includes discussion of historical events including colonialism, slavery, and exploitation. While these topics are handled sensitively, some content may be challenging.

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar. Booking is essential.

About the Speaker

Dr Neil Buttery combines expertise in food history and evolutionary biology to offer unique insights into how our relationship with sugar has evolved over millennia.

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

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Dr Neil Buttery

Neil Buttery has been studying and writing about the history of British food for over fifteen years. He is also an experienced chef and restaurateur, recreating historical and traditional foods.

His first book A Dark History of Sugar, published in 2022, won the Guild of Food Writers Award for Best First Book. His second book, a biography of forgotten Manchester cookery writer and entrepreneur Elizabeth Raffald – Before Mrs Beeton: Elizabeth Raffald, England’s Most Influential Housekeeper, was also an award-winner. His most recent books Knead to Know: A History of Baking and The Philosophy of Puddings were both published in the autumn of 2024

His research and writing on the subject can be read on his long-running blogs British Food: A History and Neil Cooks Grigson and heard on his podcasts The British Food History Podcast and A is for Apple: An Encyclopedia of Food and Drink.