The Ancient Greeks and Romans were acquainted with sugar but used it primarily for medicinal purposes. The first-century pharmacologist Dioscorides wrote : “There is a type of solid honey called sugar which has the consistency of salt and can be crunched between the teeth.” He recommended sugared water to treat complaints of the kidneys, stomach, intestines and bladder.
Between the fourth and seventh centuries, sugar cane was grown mainly in the Indus Delta and the Persian Gulf. During this period, the Persians continuously improved cultivation and processing techniques. They invented sugar loaves, which were easier to transport.