Society Wonder plant gives honey without the need for beesA tractor ferries sugarcane for processing along Kamagambo- Nyansembe road, Kisii County last year. During the reign of Alexander the Great in the 4th century AD sugarcane reached the Middle East and like saffron and nutmeg was rare and expensive. In the 7th century AD, the Persians invaded India and marveled at this “reed which gives honey without the need for bees”. During the Crusades, around 1099, Europeans conquering Jerusalem learned the details of sugar production which was a profitable business at the time. Cyprus and Sicily became important centres for sugar production during the 13th century but sugar remained a rare and expensive commodity.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 24, 2019 18:53 UTC