Beet vs. Cane Sugar

Sugar (sucrose) is a naturally occurring carbohydrate found in every fruit and vegetable. All sugar comes from two sources: sugar cane and sugar beets. Many brands do not specify if the sugar is sourced from beet or cane.

Sugar beets are grown primarily in the upper Midwest. Sugar beets are planted annually, and the vegetative body of the beet, which provides the sugar, is grown below ground. Sugar beets are harvested in the fall, and the sugar is extracted through the diffusion process, which involves heating up the beets and boiling the sugar juice out of the sugar beets.

Sugar cane is grown in southern Florida and imported from surrounding countries. Sugar cane is a member of the grass family, and the cane stalks grow above ground. The sugar cane is harvested throughout the fall into early spring. The sugar cane is the source of the sugar juice, which is extracted through a process similar to that of sugar beets.