328338 Sat Sep 23 20:01:35 -0700 2006 9 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1897359 I have been curious about some alternatives for refined white sugar. After a search of the boards, I found an extensive conversation about the topic (blew "raw" sugar right out the water!). But I wonder if anyone has info on evaporated cane juice--organic, or otherwise... Sat Sep 23 20:01:35 -0700 2006 42608 4maples4 1 1897519 Steen's is pure cane syrup. Not organic but delicious. Panela / piloncillo is unrefined. Organic exists but it's not easy to find. Sat Sep 23 21:41:29 -0700 2006 1897359 11369 Robert Lauriston 2 1897730 The first time I saw a recipe for a dessert calling for panela, I put cheese in it (queso panela is a melting cheese). Clearly, it did not work. Sat Sep 23 23:46:52 -0700 2006 1897519 10811 Das Ubergeek 1 1897795 organic isn't really THAT important, I'm mostly after the minimally processed. I even make my own yogurt(I read MurielleGuillliano's book, dropped thirty pounds without trying) but my thing is: pure foods TASTE better But Uber, Baby...isn't EVERYTHING better with cheese?? ;-) Sun Sep 24 00:28:08 -0700 2006 1897359 42608 4maples4 1 1899005 All depends on what you are using the sugar for. I've tried Steen's in pecan pie with disastrous results - too runny. Demerara and turbinado have disinctive flavors. Great in coffee but terrible in delicate cookies and cakes. Additionaly, they are coarser so you have problems incorporating them, e.g. creaming them with butter which can lead to overbeating. Evaporated cane juice, marketed as Sucanat, is a brown sugar substitute; it is more moist than white sugar and will change the texture of baked goods. Again, it will affect flavor. Honey? Artificial sweeteners? Same problems of liquid, volume, flavor, etc. The conclusion I reached was that unless I wanted to spend a huge amount of time adapting recipes beyond recognition, I wouldn't bother. Home baked was better and healthier than processed foods with HFCS and Lord knows what other mysterious crap. Dessert is an indulgence. If I use one cup of sugar for a cake that serves eight, that won't put anyone in their grave. I always have fruit and cheese anyway if someone gets sniffy. Julia Child lived to be 93 enjoying life this way. Why waste time worrying about the little bit of sugar in the few wonderful desserts you take the time to bake? Sun Sep 24 20:42:14 -0700 2006 1897359 32444 MakingSense 2 1899013 One thing that all the experienced bakers I know agree on, pure cane sugar produces better results than beet sugar. I don't a significant nutritional advantage to evaporated cane juice or whatever over refined cane sugar. If you want a healthier dessert, eat a piece of fruit. Sun Sep 24 20:45:15 -0700 2006 1899005 11369 Robert Lauriston 3 1899043 Cane sugar is the best! It performs and tastes better. I agree with Robert Lauriston that fruit is a better dessert. If I were eating enough of any sugar - honey to molasses to artificial sweetener - that I was worried over whether it was refined or unrefined and how much, I'd be more concerned about my consumption of sweets. BTW,Coke now uses HFCS in the US except for small runs with sugar during Passover in some areas. It's a major difference! I'd pay extra for the Real Thing!!! Gourmet Coke???? Sun Sep 24 21:01:46 -0700 2006 1899013 32444 MakingSense 4 1899737 Just the opposite -- every hole-in-the-wall taqueria worth of its name in Los Angeles sells Coke made with real sugar... they smuggle it in from Mexico where, like Canada, HFCS is not considered fit for human consumption and cannot be put in drinks. It's actually become a big bone of contention, because the local Coca-Cola bottling company is losing market share to "illegal" Coke in its guaranteed zone of influence. (They don't seem to have tumbled to the fact that they could sell Mexican-style Coke made with sugar and charge a higher price for the sugared Coke, and relieve the demand while lining their own pockets. A glass bottle of Mexican Coke usually costs $1.50-$2, whereas the equivalent amount of American Coke in a can costs $0.75-$1.00 or so.) Mon Sep 25 04:14:28 -0700 2006 1899043 10811 Das Ubergeek 5 1899755 My family would gladly pay extra for The Real Thing. I stock up during Passover. Can't wait to drink Coke when I go to Latin America. Most of the world has better Coke than we do in the US of A. I'll look for it next time I'm in LA. Thanks for the tip! Mon Sep 25 04:35:26 -0700 2006 1899737 32444 MakingSense 6 1899766 Glad to help... post on the LA board when you're on your way in and give us where you're staying and we'll hook you up with the real stuff. It's also commonly available in the Bay Area, Sacramento and Sandy Eggo. Mon Sep 25 04:50:39 -0700 2006 1899755 10811 Das Ubergeek