Sugar cane is one of the tallest types of grass that take three years or so to mature and is grown mainly for its juice sweetened up by sucrose and used as a sweetener around the world. Originally grown in Southeast Asia, sugar cane is now cultivated in many tropical and warmer sub-tropical countries requiring high temperatures, sunlight and humidity for its growth. The plant has tall ruler like stalks up to 12 feet apart and is harvested for sweet, edible juicy stems. The sugar cane juice is got by milling the stalks and the products resultant there from are raw sugar, molasses and rum. In addition to sugar making, people in some areas of the world consume sugar cane directly directly still preferring to chew it and extract the juice, or preparing sweet drinks like sugar cane juice. Some of the by-products of the plant include the use in bio fuels, papers as well as other industrial products. Sugar cane is one of the most valued crops in world agriculture and food economy.
Origen of sugar cane:
It is widely assumed that sugar cane originated in the South and Southeast Asian area including current States of India, New Guinea and Indonesia. It is believed that it has been cultivated for over 10,000 years however the first records of its farming were mid from the tropical and subtropical areas of the two regions. The information on the growth of the sugar cane crop and its application began to move from the region through trading activities and people migration. Sugar cane was taken to the Middle East by the 7th century whilst sugar cane was imported to Europe as well as the America only in the 15th century. This paper primarily examines the role that sugar cane played in the development of sugar industry and the fact that it was a major agricultural produce during the colonial times mainly in the Caribbean, Brazil and some parts of Africa. Sugar cane is now cultivated in many countries belonging to the tropics and sub-tropics of the world and is a major world crop for sugar production as well as for other purposes.
Varieties of sugar cane:
Sugar cane has several types depending on its specialty on climate, type of soil, and other uses it is required for. The most common varieties are typically classified into two main groups: S. officinarum and S. spontaneous have been recognized as two separate species of sugarcane. SS 93 is a high sucrose, tall, and thick stalked type which is the leading cultivar used in sugar production S. officinarum. Among them there are varieties: white, purple and red, which differ in sugar content and resistance to pests and diseases. Saccharin spontaneous is generally preferred in breeding programs mainly because variety is stronger and better in disease resistance is also higher. Moreover, new varieties include Saccharin robust which results from cross breeding of different species to be able to possess good-quality traits like; higher sugar contents, drought resistance, and rapid growth like Saccharin barber. These different varieties mean that sugar cane can be grown effectively in different areas for the production of sugar, bio fuels and other by products.
Characteristics of sugar cane:
Sugar cane is a grass with large and jointed stem, which can reach heights of up to twelve meters in its cyclic growth. It has large green or bluish -green leaves which are elongated with an almost waxy feeling to their surface which gives it the capacity to lock in moisture. Stem portion is of high value since it contains sucrose that is processed to derive sugar. The stalks are tough, fleshy cylinders and On the outside, the stalks are covered with skin that is rather chewy and fibrous On the inside, these stalks contain lots of sweet syrup encased in sugar crystals. Sugar cane plants are usually grown in groups, and the plant prefers a weather, warm tropical or subtropical climate, which supports luxurious growth, water is necessary and good drainage to maximize its germination. Sugar cane seeds germinate poorly so it is mostly artificially reproduced using cuttings from the stalks which are placed along a row. This leafy plant has somewhat a rapid growth period; the immature stems can be harvested in approximately twelve to eighteen months. Owing to its resistance to attack by pests and diseases and the high energy density of its products, sugarcane is a valuable food and industrial crop.
Health benefit of sugar cane :
While sugar cane contains many nutrients and a moderate consumption of the drink is healthy. It contains natural sugar hence makes for an instant energy source and is perfect for people requiring energy boosts. There is also Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, phosphorus and Potassium and antioxidants like flavonoids one and phenolic one, all of which reduce the effects of the oxidative stress and free radicals from inside the body. A specific sugar cane juice contains the ability to purify the liver and enhance digestion within the body. Furthermore its rich source of potassium, calcium magnesium and iron that is crucial for the life of the heart; bones and circulatory system. The minerals such as potassium contained high in the sugar cane juice are beneficial in lowering body press while the body calcium and magnesium are good for bones and teeth. Moreover, the juice is consumed to cure some diseases like urinary system infections, dryness or fever due to its qualities of making the body moist. In moderation though, a type of food like sugar cane is also very healthy for the body as it supplies the body with natural sugars.
Unhealthy for human body sugar cane :
In fact sugar cane has lots of health implications when taken regularly, but taking it in large proportion has its demerits on human health. The quantity of sugars found in sugar cane juice or products extracted from it like molasses and refined sugar are responsible for obesity, weight addition and type II diabetes. Excessive intake of sugars results to high blood sugar levels which places a lot of pressure on the insulin all over and can lead to insulin resistance. Furthermore, sugar cane has natural sugars which are not so healthy for teeth and gums if consumed in large amounts because the sugar in the mouth can gradually dissolve and backward when bacteria taking the sugars, and this leads to formation of acid that weakens tooth enamel. Despite the fact that sugar cane juice can be recommended as the natural juice which can help to easily hydrate the body, it can have some contraindications especially for persons with fructose intolerance or diabetes it can cause diarrhea or fluctuation of insulin level in the blood. However, like with all foods, the important message is moderation and once in a while, one feels free to enjoy the sugar cane but should not completely eliminate other foods from his/her diet.
Drinks of sugar cane :
Sugar cane is most used in preparation of various cool Strait drinks especially in the worlds tropical region where it is grown. It has also got sweet bones which are normally crushed to extract sugar cane juice, a sweet , watery fluid. It may be taken as a cold drink or compounded with lime, raw ginger or mint. In some cultures people use sugar cane juice to mix with other fruit juice such as lime or paw paw to make their tropical counterpart. Another drink preparation is cane syrup, it is actually juice from sugar cane boiled to a syrup consistency for sugars to be condensed, the end product can just be taken with water or milk but it can also be used in cocktails. Preparations made from sugar cane are also recognized by consumer and typically drunk either directly from the cane or as a sugar added to it in liquid form or added to alcoholic mixes for cocktails.
Dessert of sugar cane:
Dessert dishes The sugars of this plant are sweet and have a rich caramel taste that is extensively incorporated into a variety delicious dessert. A common use of this syrup is in the preparation of a dessert known as sugar cane syrup pudding, so called because the syrup is a major ingredient, mixing it directly into the base of the pudding which is almost more like a custard to make a smooth dessert. Nevertheless, sugar cane is usually used in one or another kind of cakes and pastries in some regions, for example, as a component of a sweet syrup or as a filling. The other favorite desert is what they call sugar cane ice cream, where juice/syrup is incorporated into the base of the ice cream giving it a taste of the tropics. Sugar cane is also used in jellies and candies including cane sugar candies where the syrup is actually cooked until hard and then taken and chewed or crunchy taken. In many cultures of the world, sugar cane is also used to sweeten fruit salads while also providing the fruit with a form of moisture as well.