Sugarcane (original) (raw)

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is a tall tropical southeast Asian grass (Family Poaceae) having stout fibrous jointed stalks whose sap at one time was the primary source of sugar (sugar beets now hold that title). Harvested cane is processed by squeezing out the sap, from which sugar is crystallized out, leaving the liquid molasses. Fresh sugar canes are sometimes chewed for the juice.