The history of the Black Sea as a source of Mediterranean slaves stretches from ancient Greek colonies to human trafficking networks in the present day. At its height during the 14th and early 15th centuries, the Black Sea slave trade was not the sole source of Mediterranean slaves; Genoese, Venetian and Egyptian merchants bought captives taken in conflicts throughout the region, from North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Balkans and the Aegean Sea.

Julia Sarreal's book is a commodity history of a beverage/stimulant and a study of Argentine identity. By examining consumption and production, it engages two methodologies that are difficult to combine: cultural studies and political economy.

The wide temporal scope (from the pre-Columbian period through the 20th century) reveals continuities and ruptures. The innovative combination of sources (dictionaries, government documents, newspaper articles, statistics, advertising, cartoons, travelers’ accounts, literature and film) yields a nuanced and complex understanding.