Sugar: the ‘superfood’ of the past?
8 April 2011
'Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice' traces the evolution of sweet foods through history, examining their different nutritional roles and reputations within societies dating back to the medieval era.
While today we are taught that sugar is bad for us, it was once considered the medieval equivalent of a 'superfood' – a term nowadays reserved for fruits and vegetables full of antioxidants such as blueberries, pomegranates and broccoli. The exhibition reveals the global journey of sugar and cinnamon from plant to plate, starting with the story of medieval trade and finishing up with modern trends in nutritional research.
Visitors to the exhibition are invited to take home modern and medieval recipe cards, allowing them to try for themselves the wide variety of historic ingredients and dishes on show. There is also the opportunity to take part in activities relevant to sweet food throughout the ages, such as crushing cinnamon.
"The aim of the exhibition is to examine why we like eating. What is the historical and scientific basis of food enjoyment?" said Dr Iona McCleery, historian at the University of Leeds and coordinator of You Are What You Ate. "Ultimately, we want to celebrate eating sweets and cakes while showing awareness that they must be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet."
Professor Gary Williamson of the School of Food Science & Nutrition at the University of Leeds said: "Part of the reason that medieval people lived far shorter lives than us was because of disease and unhealthier environments; their diets were not necessarily unhealthier.When people in the UK today still die far younger than average - despite the advantages of modern medicine - we should think seriously about diet as a factor."
Dr McCleery added, "Medieval people lived shorter lives that we would not envy - especially the poor - but that does not mean they could not have as much fun with food as we do!"
The exhibition runs until October and forms part of the You Are What You Ate project based at the University of Leeds and funded by the Wellcome Trust. It aims to inform a healthy balanced diet by displaying the enjoyable side of eating, focusing on fashions and customs linked to feasting and entertainment.
You Are What You Ate: Food lessons from the past is a three-year research project funded by a Society Award from the Wellcome Trust. It involves academics from the University of Leeds, the University of Bradford and Cultural Officers from Wakefield Council. Project members are working together to deliver a wide range of school activities, stalls, exhibitions and events.
'Sugar and Spice and All Things Nice'
5 March-1 October
Wakefield Museum
Wood Street, Wakefield, WF1 2EW
Tue-Sat, 10.30-16.30
Visit the event website for more information.
Image: A variety of candy, by Sidereal on Flickr.
