The Sugar Temple: Colombia's Colonial Sweetness

In episode 190 of The History of Colombia, Lucas and Luna explore the hidden history of sugar in colonial Colombia, a story that goes far beyond the sweetener in your coffee. From the first cane plantations in the Cauca Valley to the rise of the trapiche mills and the brutal enslaved labor that powered them, this episode uncovers how sugar shaped the economy, the landscape, and the social fabric of the Nueva Granada. Discover the surprising role of convents in producing panela, the elite families who grew rich on the trade, and the African and indigenous hands that made it all possible. We also trace the scientific inquiries of José Celestino Mutis, who studied the region's botanical wealth, and the eventual shift to free labor after independence. Join us for a rich and bittersweet look at a commodity that left an indelible mark on Colombia's history and identity. This episode is part of the Fexingo History network, where we bring you deeply researched stories in a conversational format.

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