Evaporated cane juice is considered by many people as a healthier option when compared to refined sugar. Read on to learn about how it is made, and it's health benefits.
Evaporated cane juice is simply cane juice that is available in different forms. This sugar comes in different textures and flavors, however all the varieties of evaporated cane sugar share the property of being brown in color.
Evaporated cane sugar is considered a healthier option than refined sugar, as a lot of chemicals are used while making the most popular type of sugar which is the refined-white sugar. Many people are shifting towards using brown sugar as lesser amount of chemicals are used in the processing of this sugar.
Types
The USFDA defines evaporated cane juice as any kind of sweetener that is derived from sugarcane syrup. There is milled cane type that is small grained crystals which have a golden shade and subtle molasses flavor.
Another popular known sugar is demerara sugar which is a coarser grainier sugar that has slightly sticky crystals that have a noticeable molasses flavor. Another type is muscovado, which are very fine crystals of sugar that have a distinctive molasses flavor.
Last, is the least known type - raspadura or panela which is available in large blocks or granulated form.
How is it Made?
Many companies use organic sugarcane to make different types of sugar, once the sugarcane is harvested the process of extraction starts. The cane sugar is crushed in a series of large roller mills. The sweet juice comes gushing out and the cane fiber is carried away in boilers.
This juice is dirty because the soil from the fields and green extracts from plants all gets mixed up with the sugar. Then with the help of a small process the factories remove the unwanted dirt. Then the juice is thickened into a syrup by boiling off the water.
The syrup is placed in large pans for boiling, till the conditions allow the juice to crystallize. Once the crystals have started to form the main liquid is spun in centrifuges to separate the two. Then the sugar crystals are given a final drying using hot air before they are stored and ready for dispatch.
Health Benefits
Many studies show that use of overprocessed food products causes conditions like diabetes and colon cancer. Hence, avoid using refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are even more harmful than using refined sugar, as they have many mild to serious side effects.
Compared to refined sugar, evaporated sugarcane juice contains more vitamins, fiber, and amino acids.
How to Buy and Use it?
Choose the form of cane sugar which you find the best according to taste and use. To get a chemical-free product go for the organic variety. Whenever selecting a packet or jar of natural sugar, make sure you read the label on the product properly.
Make sure that it is USFDA organic certified and contains no chemicals. You can add it to make tea, coffee, or cocktails. You can also use it for baking or sweetening dessert recipes.
Evaporated cane juice is an unrefined cane sugar, which is better than refined white sugar as it doesn't contain the regular chemicals used in processing. However, the glycemic index of it is high so, use less amount of this sugar too.