“If you can’t give any sugar then speak sweetly” – Indian Proverb

The world economy would look drastically different without the presence of sugarcane. This amazing plant drove many changes in our modern history and forged the basis of modern cuisine. Sugarcane went from unknown wild species of Asian lasting grasses to the world’s largest cultivated crop. Sugarcane most likely reached India from New Guinea to India around 8000 B.C.E., and by 5th century C.E. Indian chemists found a way to crystalize extracted sucrose via water thus making sugar much easier to transport. Initially, sugar became one of the most expensive items in the trading world and despite being incredibly expensive, it quickly spread through across Asia and the Middle East. The Arab traders introduced sugar to Spain around 715 C.E. but it did not become widely known to Europeans until the crusades. In time sugarcane was introduced to Americas and because growing and processing of sugarcanes was not easy, and demand for sugar was tremendously high, organized culling of Africa for slaves became very profitable and popular. With over 12 million slaves displaced from Africa, production of sugar skyrocketed, managing to drop in price and become available to everyone during 19th century. Despite sugarcane’s dark cultivation history with slaves in the Americas, sugarcane is now one of the most cultivated crops in the world. Sugarcane juice is my favorite drinks to have. It has numerous benefits including instant energy boost. One can get Sugarcane juice from Patel’s Café on Devon Avenue in Chicago. You must try the juice with lemon and ginger to enhance the flavor of the juice. it’s not to be missed!