Part 6/10:
The harvesting of sugar beets usually occurs in late autumn when sugar content peaks. A single ton of sugar beets can yield approximately 300 pounds of sugar. Once harvested, beets undergo a thorough washing process before being sliced to maximize surface area, essential for extracting sugar. The extraction process resembles brewing, where hot water is used to draw out sugar, creating a sweet juice rich in sacrose.
Once the sugar juice is extracted, it undergoes multiple evaporation stages to concentrate its sweetness. Finally, the mixture is spun in large centrifuges, separating the sugar crystals from liquid molasses, resulting in refined sugar ready for distribution.