Sugarcane By: Ana Botros Origin ➢ Sugarcane originated in southeast Asia because it is warm and tropical, and sugarcane grows well in climates like this. Uses of sugarcane ➢ There are different ways sugarcane is used in Asia, one way is some people chew on it. They chew on it in order to extract the juice from it which is filled with nutritious fibers. ➢ Some people drink sugarcane juice and others use them as skewers when cooking "Ground meat or pastes made with minced fish or shrimps are wrapped around sugarcane stalks and grilled." ➢ The way sugarcane is used here is culturally significant to Asia When did sugarcane become valuable for trade? ➢ In the 5th century AD sugarcane became valuable for trade because an "Indian chemist found a way to crystalize extracted sucrose, making sugar [sugarcane] much easier to transport." ➢ Sugarcane became valuable in Europe and in China simply because people got addicted to it. Also, it was probably cheaper to produce since slaves would grow and harvest sugarcane. How is sugarcane obtained? ➢ Sugarcane was obtained by just cutting down the stocks and then using a knife or a sharp tool to take off the leaves and hard outer layer. ➢ Now, sugarcane is obtained by harvesting machines after the burning process (the burning process burns off the leaves and this happens mainly in Florida). Conflict ➢ The people of Florida want this to stop and are doing this with a "Stop the burn campaign" ➢ When companies or corporations do this it emits so much pollution and bad chemicals into the air which effects not only the environment but, the lungs and overall health of the people who live near sugarcane farms ➢ Another conflict regarding sugarcane happened in 2012 when the indigenous people of Brazil threatened (and in some cases did) commit suicide because of the increase of harvesting of soybeans and sugar cane, and because they lived in overpopulated areas. Transportation ➢ Sugarcane was transported by sea trading ships or land caravans ➢ It was transported that way because there were no trains, planes, or trucks. That was the most efficient way. ➢ Most areas that grew sugarcane were islands, so ships were a good way to transport sugarcane to places such as Hawaii Has the transportation of sugarcane changed over time? ➢ Yes, the transportation of sugarcane has changed over time because today we can transport it through ships, trains, trucks, and planes. Who transported/transports sugarcane? ➢ Buddhist monks introduced sugarcane to China. Soldiers from the crusades brought it to Europe. Indian sailors spread the word about sugarcane throughout the Indian ocean. ➢ Today sugar is transported by private companies or cooperatives, they try to produce as much sugarcane as possible in order to bring in a lot of profit ➢Sugarcane originated in Southeast Asia and spread to Southern China and India all in 8000 BC The journey ➢Sugar then spread to Europe in 300 BC. In the 9th and 10th century it got to the Middle East. of sugarcane ➢Lastly sugarcane plantations were then formed in Central America in the 1500s and in the 18th century it got to Northern America Destination ➢On the arrival to its destination, sugarcane was turned into sugar or sugar syrup which was shaped into flat bowls. Has is it been modified from its original form? ➢ Yes, sugarcane was modified from its original form into sugar or flat bowls so it's easier to transport Anything required for sugarcane to work? ➢ No, sugarcane does not need to be combined with anything else for it to work. It has its sugary taste without anything being added to it. How has the value of sugarcane changed? ➢The value of sugarcane has gone down over time. When it first originated it was very valuable and today it isn't nearly as valuable as it once was How do people in America use sugarcane? Any cultural significance? ➢ In America, today, we use sugarcane by turning it into sugar or blackstrap molasses. We put the sugar in everyday foods such as cake, cereal, candy, and drinks. ➢ The cultural significance sugarcane has on America is the change in our diets and "Propagating of African slaves around the world between 17th and 19th century that allowed sugar to finally become bulk commodity that is used by everyone." ➢ The Americas was the last place sugarcane seems to have spread to Bibliographies ➢ Sugarcane History and Facts. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sugarhistory.net/sugar-making/sugarcane/ The author of this website talks about the history of sugarcane and they include some facts as well. The author explains that we wouldn't be where we are today without sugarane and how sugarcane has changed so many things in our modern history. One key point the author talked about was where sugarcane originated, which is southeast Asia. Another key point the author talks about is why sugarcane originated there and that would be because sugarcane grows well in warm and tropical climates. Lastly the author mentions where sugarcane spread to, and some of those places would be India, the Middle East, Spain, Europe, and the new world. This source is reliable because it includes true facts, the author describes everything thoroughly, and the author includes time periods in order to be specific. Overall, this is a great, put together article and is very reliable. ➢ Veneracion, C. (2019, July 6). How Is Sugarcane Used in Southeast Asian Cuisine? Retrieved from https://www.thespruceeats.com/sugarcane-in-southeast-asian-cooking-3030164 The author of this website talks about uses of sugarcane in the southeast Asian cruisine. The author explains what sugarcane is, what it requires to grow, and how it is harvested. Most importantly the author of this article explains how sugarcane is used in southeast Asia. Some of those uses are, people chew on sugarcane to extract the juice from it, others make sugarcane juice out of sugarcane so they can drink it, and some people even use sugarcanes as skewers. This is a reliable source because it includes a lot of cultural Asian aspects in it and that makes sense since sugarane did originate in southeast Asia. Another reason as to why this article is reliable is because the author explains his points in depth and seems to understand what he is talking about. Overall, this is a good article that explains different uses of the sugarcane, specifically in Asia. Bibliographies ➢ Soy and Sugar Cane Fuel Native Land Conflicts in Brazil. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.ipsnews.net/2012/11/soy- and-sugar-cane-fuel-native-land-conflicts-in-brazil/ The author of this website talks about soy and sugarcane feul conflicts in Brazil. The author explains that a large amount of people are committing suicide in response to "The expansion of the cultivation of soybeans and sugar cane, two top export crops." These people had some land from their ancestors that they would grow and harvest their food on, and now larger landowners have taken over their land. On top of that their resources, such as soybeans and sugarcane are being over- harvested. This is causing issues not only for the people of Brazil but for their government as well. Those are some key points that this newspaper article covers. This source is reliable because it’s a news article and this news article has quotes from some of the people that have been affected by what is happening. This news article also inludes photos and thoroughly explains how Brazil and its people are affected by this situation. That is why this source is reliable. ➢ Sugar Cane Burning Not So Sweet for Florida's Residents. (2015, December 10). Retrieved from https://earthjustice.org/blog/2015-december/sugar-cane-burning-not-so-sweet-for-florida-s-residents The author of this website talks about how the burning of sugarcane fields is affecting the environment and the people of Florida. The author explains that every year sugarcane companies and corporations burn sugarcane fields and when they do so, it emits horrible chemicals and pollutants into the air. Also if you live near these sugarcane fields your eyes start to burn and it hurts your lungs and overall health, when these sugarcane leaves are burned. The chemicals that are released from this are linked to mutations and cancer. In response to this there is a petition going on, on behalf of the Sierra club in hopes of hopefully being able to stop this. This is a reliable source because the author of this article is a part of the earth justice organization, so they are knowledgable of the situation. The author uses facts to back up their reasoning as to why the burning of sugarcane fields is bad and should be stopped. Those are some reasons as to why this is a credible source. Bibliographies ➢ History of Sugar. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.sugarhistory.net/who-made-sugar/history-of-sugar/ The author of this website mainly focuses on the history of sugar and it also includes some modern-day aspects. The author explains that one of the most impactful culinary ingredient is sugar because it changed our diets, it's the "starting point in the development of large European trading fleers in early Renaissance", and the "Propagating of African slaves around the world between 17th and 19th century that allowed sugar to finally become bulk commodity that is used by everyone." The author also talks about early sugarcane cultivation, the medieval era and sugar, sugar in the new world, introduction of beet sugar, mechanization, and modern-day sugars and sweeteners. The key points are where sugarcane originated, why it originated there, where it spread to, and how it spread to those areas.