Able to get Cane

Of course shoppers are bound to work up an appetite with all these activities. You'll see people eating ice cream cones right now (Zhuhai is much warmer than many parts of America this time of year!) or even indulging in some snacks from the numerous corner bakeries. But for a different treat, how does a nice stick of sugar cane sound? Apparently pretty enticing to some browsers and buyers.

Cane customers can choose from a stick or the beverage form of this sugar. [Photo by Mike Igoe]

It seems a healthy harvest of it has just left the fields because lots of vendors are selling it in many Guangdong province cities. The supply should be generous since China is the world's third largest producer of sugar cane after Brazil and India. A sugar cane stick looks a lot like a piece of bamboo. To me, it tastes about the same!! I guess it's an acquired taste since it does sell well…sometimes people are lined up to get it. It only costs a few RMB and it's an easy way to get a real sugar "high". Why settle for something sweetened when you actually eat the source of sugar?

It's a bit ironic seeing people eating pure cane, since sugar has practically become a dirty word in the US. It's been removed from boxes of cereal (no more Sugar Pops, Sugar Frosted Flakes etc. in our country) and physicians caution too much may cause hyperactivity.

Sugar cane beverages are also available. They put it into a machine and make it into juice while you wait. So sweetness is in season if it suits you. These signs of the season prove that the Chinese culture can be both similar AND very different to what we're used to.

Mike Igoe [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Mike Igoe is an Associate Professor of International Journalism at United International College in Zhuhai, China. His home in the US is in upstate New York.