A Taste of Honey: Early Medieval Chinese Writings about Sweeteners. (1st January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Milburn, Olivia
• Is Part Of: Early medieval China. Volume 26(2020)
• Page Start: 43
• Page End: 66
• Publication Date: 2020-01-01
• Subjects: early medieval literature -- honey -- manna -- malt sugar -- sugarcane; China -- History -- 221 B.C.-960 A.D -- Periodicals; China -- Social conditions -- 221 B.C.-960 A.D -- Periodicals; 951.01
• DOI: 10.1080/15299104.2020.1780740
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1529-9104

Abstract

Abstract : This paper focuses on the small group of writings from the Wei-Jin period about different kinds of sweeteners used in food and drink. Apart from any question of literary merit in these writings, there is the issue of status: all sugars were expensive, and some were extremely rare, and to consume such a sugar was a potent sign of privilege. It is not surprising that all early medieval poems and prose about sweeteners focus on the sugars considered to be most prestigious: honey, manna, and sugarcane. These writings influenced later works on the same subject, and provide the earliest surviving descriptions of the importance of sugars in Chinese culture.