GROW YOUR OWN SUGARCANE



Raw sugarcane is a favorite treat for children in tropical countries.The juice from sugarcane is also very healthy and is loaded with a range of essential nutrients. Cane juice is a natural high-energy drink, which makes it a healthy alternative to refined sugar added drinks. Sugar cane not only is grown on a mass scale, but also for personal use. Most people don't know that sugar cane is a type of grass. Like grass, it grows quickly and easily into an attractive plant.There are multiple ways to grow sugar cane. At home, a popular method is to grow the plant in a pot. For greater yield, many people choose to plant their crop in the ground.

 Potting Method
  • Find a fresh-cut section of sugar cane at least a foot long. (You may have to look in a specialty grocery store).After finding fresh stalks of sugar cane, look for a joint within the stalk. 
  • The joints contain shield shaped buds. Cut the stalk 2 inches below the lowest bud and about 1 inch above the highest bud.
  • Simply fill up a flower pot (make sure the pot has a 7 inch diameter), then place the stalk in the soil. Heat a candle, and drip melted wax on the top of the stalk so that it does not dry out. Within one or two weeks, the bud will sprout; after that, put about 1 ½ more inches of soil in the pot. More sprouts will grow, and will be ready for use.
Growing In Ground
  • The second method involves planting directly in the ground. 
  • Find a plot of land (exact area depends on how much sugar cane you desire to grow) at least 3 feet wide and long. 
  • After cutting the sugar cane stalks below and above the joints, lay the stalks beside each other, forming rows of sugar cane stalks. 
  • Cover the stalk shallowly, and water the soil. If covered too deeply, the growth of the stalks will be hindered.
Few Additional Information
  • Sugar cane cannot be grown everywhere in the world; it requires certain sun exposure and climate. Sugar cane generally grows best in temperatures between 89 and 100 degrees F. 
  • If an area experiences frost, it could completely kill the crop. Areas of high humidity are prime for sugar cane growth. Climates with moderate rainfall, about 48 inches per year, are best for the plant. 
  • For home growth of sugar cane, watering the plant yourself will make up for any lack of rainfall. If the area you live in matches these climate conditions, growing your own sugar cane can be a fulfilling experience.
Harvesting Sugar Cane
  • Plants will take approximately 4 - 6 months to mature, or be ready for consumption.
  • They can be harvested as soon as the growing shoots reach 100cm. 
  • Chop down the stalk, strip off the outside leaves and chew!
Few Health Benefits Of Sugar Cane
  • Nutrition- Raw sugarcane has fewer calories than refined sugar and contains no saturated fat, cholesterol or sodium. Per teaspoon, raw sugarcane provides 2 percent of the daily value for carbohydrates needed for muscles and brain cells.
  • Coenzyme Q-10- Coenzyme Q-10 is important for the heart, pancreas, liver and kidneys -- may treat coronary health issues, especially congestive heart failure, and is commonly used in Japan, Europe and Russia.
  • Antioxidants- Sugarcane, especially in syrup concentrations, contains antioxidants, which act as scavengers to help prevent and repair oxidative damage by free radicals. Antioxidants enhance immune defense and may lower the risk of infection and disease.
  • Treating jaundice- Cane juice helps in the treatment of jaundice, a condition characterized by the yellow pigmentation of the skin and membranes caused due to elevated levels of billirubin in the body fluids and poor liver function. Consuming one glass sugarcane juice mixed with lime provides relief in jaundice and helps in speed recovery.

Sugar Cane Soup Recipe


 Ingredients
  • Sugarcane juice - 2 cups
  • Water - 1 cup
  • Ginger - 1/2 inch piece
  • Lemon juice - 3 tsp
  • Salt - for taste
  • Pepper - for taste
Method
  • Chop the ginger and pulse it in the mixie by adding just a tsp of water to it. Now squeeze and extract ginger juice.
  • Take the sugarcane juice, water and ginger extract in a pan and heat it for few mins. Just when it starts to bubble, simmer the flame and add lime juice and salt to it. Mix well and switch off the flame. 
  • Delicious sweet and hot sugarcane soup is ready.
  • Serve it hot by sprinkling pepper in top. This quantity would make 3 servings.
  • Enjoy making :)

No comments :

Post a Comment