Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online

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Sugar
(3,608 words)

1. Cane sugar

1.1. Production

Sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a reed-like species of grass, whose stalks reach a diameter of 2–5 cm and a height of 2–6 m. A consistent temperature of at least 26–30º C and a plentiful supply of water are necessary for optimal growth and a maximal concentration of sugar in the cane juice. When the leaves on the stalks begin to die off after a growing period of some 12 months, the sugar content i…

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Menninger, Annerose and Jatzlauk, Manfred, “Sugar”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 28 September 2023 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_COM_030877>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20180208



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