These crystals are made using the root of the sugar beet. The sugar is formed by photosynthesis in the long green leaves growing above the soil, then stored in the white, fleshy root underground. The beet is made up of 75% water, approximately 20% sugar and 5% pulp, with more or less sugar depending on growing conditions. It grows exclusively in temperate climates and is widely cultivated throughout France, Germany and Russia.