Workers of the Cold. The Workforce Involved in Snow Supply in the City of Valencia and its Surrounding Region at the End of the Ancien Régime (1704-1820)

Abstract

During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, European society underwent significant changes in consumption patterns, marked by the emergence of a ‘consumption revolution’ that expanded the availability of luxury goods to broader segments of society. Among the lesser-known commodities was snow, which gained immense popularity in the Western Mediterranean as a component of chilled beverages. As the demand for such beverages increased, the associated activities within the cold trade sector became more specialized, leading to a diversification of job roles. The collection and storage of snow were entrusted to paleros, pisoneros, and loaders, while muleteers were responsible for transporting it to the city. Caterers oversaw the management of the snow trade monopoly, and the retailing of snow involved water carriers and botilleros. This intricate labor ecosystem achieved its highest level of sophistication within the supply network of our focus of study: the city of Valencia.