What Do They Use Sugar Beets For

Along with sugarcane, sugar beets are among the most common plants used in the production of white sugar (3). Sugar beets are also used to produce other types of refined sugar, such as molasses and brown sugar (4).

What can I use sugar beets for?

Sugar beets can be roasted for a sweet, caramelized flavor and are often mixed with other bitter root vegetables to balance out the flavor. They can also be cooked and tossed into green salads, substituted for white potatoes in latke recipes, or roasted as a side dish.

What is the difference between beets and sugar beets?

Beetroot comes from the same family as sugar beets. However, it is genetically and nutritionally different. Sugar beets are white, and manufacturers tend to use them for extracting sugar and sweetening processed foods. It is not possible to extract sugar from beetroot, which is mostly red or gold.