Sugar cane

Sugar cane

  • +Description

    Sugar cane is a member of the grass family and is native to the warm temperate to tropical regions of Asia. They have stout, jointed, fibrous stalks, which look like bamboo cane. Sugar cane is the source of sugar in all tropical and subtropical countries of the world.Sugar canes can grow up to two to six meters tall.

  • +Availability

    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
    Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available Available

    Sugar cane is available from Thailand.

  • +Main nutrients

    Calcium, Carbohydrate, Magnesium and Riboflavin.

Main varieties

  • Sugar cane

    Sugar cane

    The sweet juice and crystallized sugar produced by sugar cane were known in China and India some 2500 years ago. Sugar cane reached the Mediterranean countries in the eighth century A.D., and reached the Americas in early colonial times.

    View Sugar cane

Preparation

Preparation

Rinse of the fresh sugar cane.With a sharp knife, cut off the tough skin. Now either chew on it or further process it into juice or syrup.

Consumption

Fresh sugar cane may be chewed in small pieces, to extract the juice. However commonly the sugar cane is already processed into juice. Sugar cane is also used as a sweetener and as a syrup accompanying other foods, such as desserts.

When to eat

Sugar canes can be eaten directly after harvest. The canes can be stored at room temperature.

Did you know?

 

 

  • About 195 countries grow sugar canes and produced 1,324.6 million tons in 2008. This was six times more than the amount of sugar beet produced.
  • Around 300 BC Alexander the Great, described  the sugar cane as "a reed that produces honey without bees".
  • Especially in the Caribbean sugar cane is used in rum production.
  • In 2001, scientists found sugar in outer space.