Sweet Traditions: Discovering Sugarcane’s Role in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
Sweet Traditions: Discovering Sugarcane’s Role in Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou
When you think of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou, chances are that food comes to mind (and we don’t blame you). But did you know that one of the crops that has shaped our culture, our economy and even our folklore is sugarcane? Here are some fun (and sweet!) things to know about sugarcane:
Some History:
Sugarcane was first brought to Louisiana by Jesuit priests in the 1750s.
The very first crop was planted where Bourbon Street now stands in New Orleans.
Today, sugarcane is one of Louisiana’s top crops – right up there with soybeans, cotton, and rice.
Where to See it Here:
Laurel Valley Village – This is the largest surviving 19th- and 20th-century sugar plantation complex in the country. It’s still a working sugarcane farm today! Book a tour today at the link HERE!
E.D. White Historic Site – You can learn how sugarcane shaped life on the bayou in one of their many exhibits.
Bayou Country Children’s Museum – Climb aboard a sugarcane harvester and get a feel for what it would be like to be in the fields.
On Your Drive – Just cruising through our parish, you’ll spot fields of sugarcane stretching for miles. In late summer and fall, the tall green stalks line the roadways and make for the perfect “only in Louisiana” view.
Fun Facts:
Sugarcane is actually a grass plant, just much taller than what’s in your yard!
Louisiana has 22 parishes that grow sugarcane, including Lafourche Parish.
It thrives in warm, moist, tropical climates, making south Louisiana the perfect place for it.
Sugarcane isn’t just for sugar. It’s used in some medicines and biofuels. Its fibrous residue, known as bagasse, also becomes building materials, animal bedding and eco-friendly packaging.
A touch of Folklore:
Local legend says the Rougarou, a Cajun werewolf, prowls the sugarcane fields. Some say he was invented to keep kids from wandering too far into the cane.
Whether you’re here for the history, the harvest or to test your luck spotting the Rougarou, one thing’s for sure – sugarcane makes a trip to Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou that much sweeter!
