Sugarcane
— the grass behind the majority of the world’s sugar production
Sugarcane originates from Southeast Asia and is cultivated in all tropical and subtropical regions where there is sufficient water.
Sugarcane accounts for about 70% of the world’s total sugar production. It is the crop that yields the highest number of calories per cultivated area.
Sugar Production
After the sugarcane is harvested, the leaves are removed and the sugary juice is extracted from the stalks. The juice is then boiled down into a thick, brown syrup known as molasses.
As the molasses is evaporated, the sugar begins to crystallize, resulting in brown cane sugar. If the cane sugar is white, it has been refined - meaning all components except the pure sugar have been removed.
Fact box:
- Greenhouse location: Tropican house
- Danish name: Sugarcane
- Latin name: Saccharum officinarum
- Family: Grass family / Poaceae
- Natural habitat: Southeast Asia