How is sugarcane different from sugar beet as a source of sugar?

Sugarcane and sugar beets are the two primary sources of sucrose, yet they differ significantly in their biology, cultivation, and processing requirements.12

Biological and Environmental Differences

• Plant Type: Sugarcane is a giant grass that thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, whereas the sugar beet is a root crop grown in temperate zones.12
• Sugar Content: Sugarcane typically ranges from 7 to 18 percent sugar by weight, while sugar beets contain between 8 and 22 percent.1

Processing and Storage

• Storage: A critical difference is that sugarcane cannot be stored after harvest because the sucrose begins to decompose rapidly. Consequently, cane sugar is usually produced in two stages: raw sugar is manufactured near the growing fields and then refined elsewhere. In contrast, sugar beets are stable and can be stored for weeks or even months, allowing them to be processed into white sugar in a single stage.13
• Extraction: Sugarcane stalks are shredded and crushed to extract juice. Sugar beets are sliced into strips called cossettes and soaked in hot water to extract the sugar.2

Both plants yield the same chemical molecule, and their by-products, such as molasses, are widely used in animal feed and industrial alcohol production.14