Ribbon cane was a specific type of sugar cane. It was like a brand name that was commonly used in the South, but it was very susceptible to cold weather. Eventually, a hybrid cane was developed that could endure the cold better and it spread throughout the region. The longer you cook the juice, the more the sugar is extracted, and the darker and thicker it gets. Eventually, it becomes molasses.
Sorghum is made from a different kind of cane.
All of them take an enormous amount of time, and the process is labor intensive. But the rich, darkened, semisweet taste of the syrup is worth the effort. Unfortunately, none of the syrup made at the Depot can be sold to the public, but there are usually vendors around, hawking their own brands. Visitors to Henderson can also enjoy more than 40 folk artists featured on the museum grounds. There will be lace makers, basket makers, weavers, spinners, carvers and quilters.