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.

Ribbon cane is a subtropical type that was once widely grown in southern United States, as far north as coastal North Carolina. The juice was extracted with horse or mule-powered crushers, then the juice was boiled, similar to maple syrup, in a flat pan, then used in the syrup form as a sweetener for other foods. It is not a commercial crop nowadays, but a few growers try to keep alive the old tradions and find ready sales for their product.

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