SUGARBEET Beta vukgaris subsp. cicla
The sugar beet is a root vegetable used for commercial production of sugar. It became a popular substitute for sugarcane during the sugar craze in late 18th century Europe. Napoleon urged its planting when British war blockades made the importation of sugarcane into France from the West Indies difficult. Of course, not even Napoleon could get sugar by squeezing a beet. The root has to be processed first. (HFHA Coll.)