Abstract: Extraction processes for the recovery of sugar from sugar cane can be improved by the incorporation of a fiber depither between one or more of the extraction mills. The cane fiber from an extraction mill is fed to a fiber depither where the cane fibers are macerated to break sugar containing cells. The sugar is removed in a liquid stream and the cane fibers in a solids stream. The cane fibers are preferably fed to a subsequent extraction mill. The liquid stream is preferably flowed countercurrent to the flow of cane fiber to the first extraction mill. From the first extraction mill the liquid stream is sent to sugar recovery.