Condiments: Beverage Sweeteners and Flavorings

After salt and pepper, the most popular condiment at the end of the twentieth century was sugar. However, sugar was expensive in colonial America and honey and molasses were used more commonly. As sugar prices declined during the nineteenth century, it was used in greater quantity in a greater diversity of cookery, such as baking. As a condiment, sugar was particularly important added to bitter beverages, such as tea, coffee, and chocolate. Sugar and honey also were employed in making other condiments such as jams, jellies, preserves, and marmalades. Likewise, milk, cream, and lemon were used to flavor beverages.