Sugar History

• Sugar became a major commodity starting in the 18th century, and several industrial and household objects were invented to accommodate sugar consumption. Early sugar cane production required extensive labor performed largely by slaves.
  
  

Industrial Sugar Pots

• The boiling of cane juice (and maple sap) took place in large copper sugar pots. Successive boilings removed the impurities from the sugar.
  
  

Cooking Sugar Pots

• For centuries, a small copper sugar pot was used to boil sugar to make syrup. It required an experienced cook to boil the syrup to the perfect consistency and prevent re-crystallization.
  
  

Domestic Sugar Pots

• Most households, especially Victorian, had small pots for serving crystalline sugar. Antique hunters search for sugar pots that are fine decorative art objects. These are usually part of a tea set, and silver and porcelain sets are the most popular.
  
  

Syrup Sugar Pots

• Often a separate small copper sugar pot is used to serve syrup in a table setting. These liquid serving pots can also be made of pewter and silver.