Micronized Flaked Speedi Beet
What is Speedi-Beet and how does it work?
Speedi-Beet is made from pure unmolassed sugar beet pulp which
is a by-product of the sugar beet industry. Sugar beet is grown in
Europe and North America as an alternative to sugar cane which is
grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It is
mainly grown as a source of table sugar for human consumption.
The sugar beet harvest in the UK usually takes place from
September onwards with the beet being delivered into one of several
sugar beet factories situated throughout eastern England. After
cleaning, the beet is sliced into cossettes by a machine that
resembles a kitchen grater and as much surface area is presented to
maximise the sugar extraction process as possible. The sliced sugar
beet is mixed with hot water and the sugar is extracted.
After the water has been squeezed out, the pulp is dried and
usually molasses is added back where upon the pulp is either used
in its shredded form or it is pelleted. Speedi-Beet is manufactured
from beet pulp which has not had molasses added to it and is
therefore around 95% sugar free. The beet pulp then undergoes a
further patented process and is then cooked utilising our process,
micronization. This involves heating the dried beet pulp at
relatively low temperatures for a short time using infra-red heat
and prevents the protein from denaturing allowing for quicker
release of nutrients into the horses digestive system. The
micronizing process also imparts flavour into the beet pulp so the
product does not require the use of added molasses i.e. sugar for
palatability.
The beet pulp is then flaked to increase surface area to aid
rapid water absorption. Thats why Speedi-Beet can be prepared in
under 10 minutes instead of the usual 24 hours for traditional
sugar beet pulp.
For more information please visit our help & advice section
where our equine nutritionist, Dr Tom Shurlock, answers some of
your most frequently asked questions.