Sucanat and Sugar: What's the difference between the two?

Some say that sugar is sugar ... and while that may be true in general--sugar is sucrose, after all--sugar's true character is as faceted as the crystals with which we so love to sweetener our world. There are many different types of sugar and at Wholesome Sweeteners, we work to keep the richness and character of sugar cane in all of our sugars.

As a general rule, Wholesome Sweetener's sugars are made as close to the cane field as possible. Within hours of harvesting, raw cane stalks are crushed in a series of large roller mills, which squeezes the juice from the cane. The collected juice is then cleaned (with slaked lime which settles any unwanted organic materials) and thickened into syrup. Sucanat is DEHYDRATED cane juice; Organic Sugar and other crystallized sugars are EVAPORATED cane juice.

To produce Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Sucanat (SUgar CAne NATural), cane syrup is poured into a vat and hand-paddled to add air. The paddling causes the hot, thick syrup to release heat and start to dry. As it dries, porous granules form which retain 100% of the cane's molasses, a source of iron, calcium, potassium, B vitamins and chromium. (Sucanat is about 13% molasses.) Sucanat dissolves quickly and adds a lovely rich flavor to everything from baked goods to a cup of tea or coffee. Sprinkle a few granules on your tongue. Can you feel the soft texture? Notice how quickly it dissolves into just wonderful flavor.

Organic Sugar (sucrose) begins the same way Sucanat does, but rather than drying the syrup, the syrup is "seeded" to create crystals. Once large crystals have formed, the crystals and remaining liquid are spun in a centrifuge to separate one from the other and encourage evaporation. The crystals get a final dry with hot air before being stored and dispatched.

In contrast to Sucanat, Sugar retains just the merest hint of the cane juice's original molasses; most of the molasses coats the outside of the crystal giving it natural color and flavor. If you look at crystallized sugars, you can learn to read the amount of molasses in each--the darker the sugar, the more molasses. Crystallized sugars are much lighter in color and flavor and better for more sensitive applications where a molasses flavor is undesirable. Wholesome Sweeteners sugars are processed without bleaching agents or bone char and are vegan safe and kosher certified.

What's the difference between Rapadura and Sucanat?

The way it is process! Although very similar in appearance and taste, Rapadura is made by just evaporating the water from the organic sugar cane juice. Sucanat is manufactured in a way that the sugar stream and the molasses stream is separated from each other and then carefully re-blended to reach a consistent product. The taste and appearance of Rapunzel's Rapadura on the other hand can vary according to sugar cane variety, soil type and weather. But it is a whole product in its true sense.

The term 'Muscovado' is from the Spanish mascabado meaning unrefined. In South Asia it is also known as gur, jaggery and khandsari. In Latin America it is known as Rapadura, pamela, or piloncillo. In  Colombia it is called chancaca.

Muscovado is the whole, unrefined evaporated sugar cane juice and is processed naturally free from any harmful chemicals such as phosphoric acid, formic acid, sulphur dioxide, preservatives, or any flocculants, surfactants, bleaching agents or viscosity modifiers. It is nutritionally rich and retains all natural mineral and vitamin content present inherent in sugar cane juice.

Organic Muscovado is available in Australia, but it may take some searching to find. Look for it by all its names. Sucanat (SUgar CAne NATural) is a brand name for one organically grown Muscovado. Fresh Whole Foods in NSW import Rapadura.

Rapadura organic sugar is the perfect unbleached, unrefined sweetener to use in place of refined sugars. Made on two sustainable Brazilian family farms, it is the only sugar where the sugar stream is not separated from the molasses - this helps it to retain most of its essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Its unique processing gives it a mild, caramel-like flavor which is superb for baking and sweetening food and drinks.

The harvest is done without the usual "burning-the-dry-leaves-first" technique, but is done all by hand. That means preservation of compostable material and no increase of the greenhouse effect. An excellent natural energy source and healthy sweetener. Rapadura is a 100% Vegan Sugar.

Delivering flavor and superior baking results, Rapadura is the perfect sweetener for your favorite foods and drinks. Simply substitute 1 cup of Rapadura for 1 cup of white sugar in all of your recipes.

Rapadura captures the sweet essence of sugar cane - organically. Harvested from sustainable family farms in Bolivia and through the Hand in Hand™ fair trade program, Rapadura is an unrefined sugar prized for its unique caramel flavor and fine grain texture. This deliciously pure sugar retains a beautiful golden color and offers unmatched nutritional value because-unlike other sugars-it is not separated from the molasses stream during squeeze-dried processing. You can truly taste the difference of Rapadura whole organic sugar.

http://www.rapunzel.com/products/faq/q_a.html

http://www.tropicaltraditions.com/organic_sugar.htm

http://www.organicfooddirectory.com.au/muscovado.php

http://www.veganessentials.com/catalog/rapadura-whole-organic-sugar.htm

http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/brands/wholesome/Wholesome_Sweeteners_Orga...

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