How does Ireland get sugar?
From 1922 to 2006, Ireland grew and supplied the raw materials for its own sugar, through the cultivation of the sugar beet plant. Before the cultivation of sugar beet, European countries got sugar from sugarcanes which was imported from West Indies and Central America. Sugarcane industry was depended on slavery. Eventually after the anti – slavery bill and uncertainty of supply, European countries have to seek out for their source of sugar.

What is sugar beet?
Ireland and many other European countries get sugar from the cultivation of sugar beet. Sugar beet is a plant whose roots contain high concentration of sucrose and is commercially used for sugar production. It is a crop that suits the Irish climate and Irish weather. It is the cheapest conserve forage to grow in Ireland.

From sugar beet to refined sugar/white sugar.
From the farm, sugar beet goes to industrial plants in different parts of Ireland. The beet then undergoes a chemical process which involves heating to remove molasses and bleach the substance white. The product that comes out in the market and goes in your coffee is refined sugar also called white sugar with zero nutrients.

The problem with sugar
Drinks which contain 5g of added sugar per 100ml are subject to tax. The European commission initiated the Sugar sweetened drink tax from May 1st 2018. From the perspective of nutrition, sugar if taken in excess does more harm to the body as it contains less amount of nutrition and more of calories.

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