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| How is sugar processed? | to Top |
The extraction or purifying process separates the natural sugar stored in the cane stalk or beet root from the rest of the plant material. For sugar cane, traditional processing involves a) grinding the cane and pressing it to extract the juice; b) boiling the juice until it thickens and begins to crystallize; c) spinning and drying the crystals in a centrifuge to produce raw sugar; d) shipping the raw sugar to a refinery where it is e) washed and filtered to remove the last remaining plant materials and color; and f) crystallized, dried and packaged.
Extracting beet sugar normally involves a continuous process in one facilty. The sugar beets are washed, sliced and soaked in hot water creating a sugary juice. A series of steps similar to sugar cane processing-purification, filtration, concentration, and drying-completes the procedure.
The Sugar Association, Inc. Fast Facts About Sugar 1101 15th Street NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005. 202/785-1122
Updated: Saturday, December 29, 2007.
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