Evaporated Cane Juice

Evaporated cane juice is simply cane juice that is available in different forms. This sugar comes in different texture and flavor, however all the varieties of evaporated cane sugar share the property of being brown in color. Evaporated cane sugar are 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 sugar. Many people are shifting towards using evaporated cane juice, as lesser amount of chemicals are used in the processing of this sugar.

Types
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines it as any kind of sweetener which is derived from evaporated cane juice syrup. There is milled cane, which are small grained crystals that 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, which 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 of evaporated cane juice called raspadura or panela (not technically an evaporated cane juice) , which is made by a simple process involving boiling of sugar cane and removing its water content.

How is it Made?
Many companies use organic sugar cane to make different types of sugar, once the sugar cane is harvested the process of extraction starts. The cane sugar is crushed in a series of large roller mills. The sweet juice comes out gushing and the cane fiber is carried away in boilers. The juice is quite dirty, because the soil from the fields and green extracts from plants all get 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 using a steam, in a process called evaporation. The syrup is placed in large pans for boiling, which is the last stage, in the pan even more water is boiled off 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 over processed food products, causes conditions like diabetes and colon cancer. Hence, avoid using evaporated cane juice substitute, which is refined sugar and artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are even more harmful than using refined sugar, as they have many mild to serious side effects. Evaporated sugarcane juice on the other hand, contains more amount of vitamins, fiber and amino acids, compared to the refined sugar.

How to Buy and Use it?
Choose the form of evaporated cane juice sugar, which you find the best according to taste and use. To get a completely chemical free product, go for the organic variety. Whenever selecting a packet or jar of evaporated cane juice, make sure you read the label on the product properly. Make sure that is USFDA organic certified, and contains no chemicals. You can add it to make tea or coffee, or make 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 they don't contain the regular chemicals used in processing. However, the glycemic index of it is high, and hence, stick to using less amounts of this sugar too.