Compared to cavemen, humans of early modern history (15th-18th century) had much more diverse food. Thanks to global trade, exploration and the rise of luxury goods food become not only nutrition, but a symbol of wealth. Spices became prized, while the rich enjoyed exotic meals not for the nutrition, but for the enjoyment.
Advancements in food history were essential for this change. Better food preservation such as salting, and pickling were discovered. New farming techniques saw an increase in agriculutural productivity, while improved storage and transportation allowed for goods to be distributed across the globe. culinary advancements made food more enjoyable, while marketplaces and urbinization allowed the rich to experience the finer culinary expiernces while the poor were stuck with cheaper foods such as bread, cheese and milk.