During the refining process, the natural sugar that is stored in the cane stalk or beet root is separated from the rest of the plant material. Beet sugar processing is normally accomplished in one continuous process without the raw sugar stage. The sugar beets are washed, sliced and soaked in hot water to remove the sugar-containing juice. The juice is purified, filtered, concentrated and dried in a series of steps similar to sugar cane processing. Back to the Index 4.
Sugar is pure carbohydrate, an important nutrient that supplies energy to the body.
Vitamins and minerals are sometimes present, but in trace amounts. Sugar and other nutritive sweeteners play an important role in making other foods taste better and, through their many uses in cooking, increasing the variety of foods available. Back to the Index 5. Sugar is prized for its sweet taste and has many other functions in cooking and baking. It contributes texture and color to baked goods.