The Hidden Side of Sugar: A History in Iron The Bitter Sweet Harvest: Barbados Sugar Production. Barbados, often called the "Gem of the Caribbean," owes much of its historic prominence to one product: sugar. This golden crop changed the island from a small colonial station into a powerhouse of the international economy throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Yet, the sweet success of sugar was built on a structure of oppressed labour, a reality that casts a shadow over its tradition. The Dangerous Labour Behind Sugar In the shadow of Barbados' sun-soaked coasts and vibrant plant lies a darker tale of durability and hardship-- the harmful labour behind its once-thriving sugar economy. Central to this story is the big cast iron boiling pots, vital tools in the sugar production procedure, but likewise painful symbols of the gruelling conditions faced by enslaved Africans. The Boiling Process: A Lealthal Task Producing sugar in the 17th and 18th centuries ...