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13 Aug 2024

Sweet Origins: India's Gift of Sugar to the World

Written by

The Logical Indian

Category

Science and Wellbeing

Views

Introduction

In the tapestry of history, India emerges as the sweet cradle of a discovery that would go on to tantalize taste buds across the globe - sugar. Journeying back to around 350 AD, we find ourselves in an era where Indians unraveled the art of crystalizing sugar. Their generosity in sharing this sweet secret shaped the culinary landscapes of India, China, and surprisingly, the Middle East.

The Sweet Exchange at Jundi Shapur

In a pivotal gathering at the Iranian university, Jundi Shapur, around 600 A.D., a diverse group of scholars converged. Greeks, Christians, Jews, and Persians put quill to parchment, chronicling the wonders of a potent Indian medicine – sugar. Swiftly, Arab entrepreneurs embraced these newfound techniques, catalysing the expansion of sugar cane across Southern Europe and North Africa by the 8th century. Massive plantations, mills, and refineries sprung up, complete with artificial irrigation mimicking the tropical climates conducive to sugar cane growth.

The Middle Eastern Gateway to Europe

The Middle East became the epicenter of this sugary revolution, and the Arab world, the herald of sweetness to Europe. As knowledge traversed continents, sugar, once a luxury, found its way into the hands of Europe's elite. William of Tyre, chronicling the Crusades in the 12th century, described sugar as a "most precious product, very necessary for the use and health of mankind." Crusaders, returning from the Holy Land, introduced Europe to the delights of sugar, marking its arrival in England in the 13th century.

The turning point in the sweet saga occurred in 1390 with the invention of a new cane press. This innovation doubled juice production, igniting an economic boom in the sugar trade. Madeira, an island accessible by sea, emerged as Europe's largest producer of sugarcane by the late 15th century. The sweet tide had turned, and sugar became a commodity traded with zeal.

India's Legacy - Sugar and Beyond

India's contribution did not stop with sugar; it extended to jaggery, a traditional sugar variant rooted in the Sanskrit word "sharkara." Jaggery, akin to sugar in its sweetness, became a cornerstone of Indian cuisine and medicine. Ancient scriptures like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita highlighted its health benefits, ranging from anti-allergic properties to being a cardiac tonic.

As we delve into the pages of history, we find that India's generosity extended beyond sharing the sweetness of sugar. Festivals like Makar Sankranti, Ugadi, and Janmashtami became occasions for indulging in jaggery-infused delights. The wise words of Vedic scholars emphasised the importance of sesame seeds, jaggery, and ghee, equating them to a trinity that bestowed health benefits. A combination of betel leaf and jaggery was heralded for lung protection, while the pairing of jaggery and ghee was lauded for its detoxifying prowess.

Modern Reflections on Ancient Wisdom

Fast-forwarding to the present, nutritionists echo the wisdom of Ayurveda, highlighting the benefits of jaggery and ghee in promoting overall well-being. The combination, rich in iron and essential fatty acids, aids hormones and immunity, according to experts like Rujuta Diwekar.

Reflecting on the days of yore, a time when essential items flowed directly from farms to homes, one marvels at the quality of life enjoyed by our ancestors. Their disciplined food habits, coupled with fresh, unadulterated fare, paved the way for robust health. The contrast to the modern era, with an abundance of sweet stalls, prompts a rethink on the consumption of refined sugar.

In the immortal words of Shri Purandara Dasa and Shri Haridasa, we find references to organic and natural sugar, reinforcing the notion that our ancestors were well-acquainted with healthy sugar practices. In the contemporary realm, researchers like Robert Lustig caution against the side effects of refined sugar, underlining the importance of considering health aspects in our dietary choices.

Conclusion

The sweet journey of sugar, originating in the heart of India, has been a saga of sharing sweetness and health with the world. Let us heed the lessons of our culinary past, embracing the wisdom that food is the foundation of good health. In doing so, we continue the tradition of spreading sweetness, just as our ancestors did centuries ago.

References

The Times of India
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/godproposesmandisposes/we-were-the-first-to-spread-sweetness-around-27387/
People’s Reflections
https://reflections.live/articles/25/the-history-behind-indias-invention-of-crystallized-sugar-and-how-it-scattered-across-the-world-654-kig3c2xq.html
Chinimandi
https://www.chinimandi.com/history-of-sugar/#:~:text=Originally%2C%20people%20chewed%20sugarcane%20raw,for%20production%20%26%20consumption%20of%20sugar.
Deccan Herald
https://www.deccanherald.com/features/sugar-rush-972302.html

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IndiaFirst Life & the logical indian

Headquartered in Mumbai, IndiaFirst Life Insurance Company Limited (IndiaFirst Life), is one of the country's youngest life insurance companies. The Logical Indian is an independent and public-spirited digital media platform for Indian Millennials. IndiaFirst Life and The Logical Indian have come together to showcase India’s rich history of innovation in different fields of life which have made a significant mark on humanity and globally. The information presented here is the result of a collaborative effort between The IndiaFirst Life, Dentsu Creative & The Logical Indian. All research and fact-finding is credited to Dentsu Creative in association with The Logical Indian.