How Is Sugar Made?
Quick Answer
Sugar is extracted as juice from sugar cane or sugar beet, then purified, boiled down and crystallised into the sugar we buy.
The Full Story
About 80% of the world's sugar comes from sugar cane, grown in tropical regions, and the rest mainly from sugar beet in cooler climates. Cane is crushed to squeeze out juice, while beet is sliced and soaked in hot water. The juice is cleaned with lime and filtered, then boiled under reduced pressure to evaporate water and form a thick syrup. Seed crystals are added so sucrose crystallises, and a centrifuge spins off the remaining molasses. Raw sugar is further refined to produce white sugar, while brown sugar keeps or regains some molasses.
Key Facts
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"From giant grass to sugar bowl: how sugar is made."