Sugar comes from sugar cane and sugar beets. Sugar cane grows in tall stems in hot countries and has been used for thousands of years, while sugar beets store sugar in their roots and are grown in cooler climates. Historically, sugar cane was the primary source of sugar but was costly and rare in the UK, leading to the development of sugar beet production in Europe in the 18th century. Now both sugar cane and sugar beets are widely grown around the world, with sugar extracted and refined in factories from the plant materials.

1. Sugar Where does sugar come from? Sugar is in all sweet things, like Fruit (fructose), Milk (lactose) This sugar is used to make sweets. It is made in a factory from: Sugar Cane Sugar Beet

2. Types of sugar Sugar Source of sugar Glucose fruit, veg and honey Maltose barley Sucrose sugar beet, sugar cane, fruit Lactose milk Fructose fruit and honey

3. Sugar Cane The sugar is in the very tall stem.

4. Slaves were forced to grow sugar cane Sugar cane slaves in Jamaica in the 17 th century

5. Sugar Beet The sugar is in the big fat root.

6. Sugar Beet Sugar Beet is like white beetroot. It is now grown in this country, the UK. It is a root vegetable. Sugar beet is grown in cool parts of the world.

7. Sugar Beet Sugar Cane came on ships from the Caribbean, but there was a war, so the Sugar Cane ships could not get through. Cane sugar was rare and expensive. Only rich people could buy it. People first began making sugar from Sugar Beet in 1748, in Prussia (Poland and Germany). Sugar beet was grown in Prussia, then in France, and only in the last 100 years has been grown in the UK. Now, everyone can buy it.

8. Sugar grown around the world now UK

9. Sugar Cane vs. Sugar Beet Grass Hot countries Thousands of years Was rare and costly in UK Sugar in Stem Very tall A plant Sugar made in Factory Root vegetable Cool countries Since 250 years ago Now Grown in UK Sugar in Root Very short A plant Sugar made in Factory BBC - Learning Zone Class Clips - How sugar is refined - Design and Technology Video