Core Insights - Sugar, derived primarily from sugarcane, has a rich history spanning thousands of years, evolving from a natural plant to a staple in daily life [1][2] Group 1: Historical Development - Sugarcane was first encountered by humans around 8000 years ago in New Guinea, where indigenous people discovered its sweet taste [2] - The sugar content in mature sugarcane ranges from 12% to 20%, with sucrose making up over 90% of the total sugar content [2] - The earliest sugar production techniques were primitive, with Indians being the first to extract juice from sugarcane and create coarse sugar known as "gur" [3] Group 2: Sugar Production in China - Sugarcane cultivation in China dates back to the Zhou Dynasty, initially used for direct consumption or juice extraction [4] - During the Tang Dynasty, significant advancements in sugar production techniques were made, influenced by knowledge gained from India [4] - By the Ming and Qing Dynasties, refined sugar production reached new heights, with methods that produced white sugar that was highly sought after in international markets [4] Group 3: Global Trade and Economic Impact - Sugar became a luxury item in Europe during the 11th century, with Venetian merchants capitalizing on its high demand and pricing it comparably to gold [5] - The Age of Exploration led to large-scale sugarcane cultivation in the Caribbean, significantly increasing global sugar production [6] - By the 18th century, Caribbean sugar production accounted for 80% of the global supply, highlighting its economic significance [7] Group 4: Cultural and Societal Influence - Sugar played a crucial role in the Industrial Revolution, providing a cheap source of energy that supported the labor force [7] - The consumption of sugar became ingrained in cultural practices, such as the British afternoon tea tradition and the production of rum in the Americas [7] - Sugar's evolution from a luxury good to a common household item reflects broader historical narratives, including its ties to colonialism and industrialization [7]

以下文章来源于泉果视点 ，作者泉果无限对话 泉果视点 . 泉果基金管理有限公司官方订阅号，第一时间分享泉果基金动态。以专业投研+专业服务，与您相伴在长期投资的道路上。 近日，中泰国际首席经济学家李迅雷做客【泉果无限对话】，从资本市场、宏观经济、产业政策、企业战略等方面，追本溯 源，剖析当下经济问题的症结所在，并提出了短期维度的预测和长期维度的思考。 "我是做宏观研究的，我30年前就做宏观研究，和现在差不多，一直没有转型。" 李迅雷从事宏观经济、金融与资本市场研究30多年，先后编著、翻译经济及证券类书籍多部，曾多次参加总理座谈会、博鳌 论坛等高级别会议。 李迅雷一贯强调基于事实、深入研究后的谨慎判断，和对市场"共识"的再思考。 ■ 谈及资本市场，他表示："股市是经济的晴雨表，准确地说，它是经济增长质量的晴雨表。 股市背后是上市公司，这些公 司的体量有多大，盈利能力有多强、持续增长时间有多久，决定了股市的表现。 我们能否在科技创新方面取得突破，科技类 企业的盈利是否能提高，进而影响了整个A股市场的表现。" ■ 对于扩大消费，他说："'狗马最难，鬼魅最易'。 消费、出口的数据改善不改变有效需求不足的长期问题，对于提 ...

12月24日，柳工首届生态大会暨2024柳工国内经销商商务大会及全球供应商大会在常州举 行。来自供应商、经销商、客户等生态合作伙伴齐聚一堂，深入研讨行业最新发展动态与未来 趋势，见证以智慧和绿色机械延伸人类力量的柳工新名片，共创产业繁荣，共赢绿智未来。 新生态 聚力实现生态共赢 近年来，工程机械行业在全球经济复苏不均衡、国际贸易摩擦和后疫情冲击的宏观背景下，面临着 前所未有的挑战与机遇。与此同时，行业向数字化、自动化和智能制造升级不断加速。作为中国工 程机械行业的领航者，也是行业内最早开启电动化、智能化研发的企业，柳工积极响应国家"双 碳"目标，加快发展新质生产力，赋能行业转型升级。柳工首届生态大会，旨在进一步加强与产业链 各方的合作，整合各方资源和优势，推动行业上下游协同有序发展，共同构建开放、共享、共赢的 智慧绿色生态系统。 曾光安以 《合作共赢，打造具有国际竞争力的生态圈》 为题，结合全球工程机械行业发展趋 势，对未来全球市场发展走向进行综合预判，并对柳工发展战略进行深度诠释。曾光安表示，过 去一年，柳工坚定落实"三全"战略，在行业巨幅下滑周期中逆势前行，初步建成世界级智能制造 工厂，国内营销变革初现成 ...