Post #330955 by Martiki-bird on Fri, Sep 7, 2007 9:42 AM

Aha, DJ Hawaiian Shirt and I seemed to have replied at the same time...sorry about that.

It's probably also important to note that molasses is a byproduct of the sugar-refining process and it can't be substitited in a recipe calling for cane sugar. Sugar in the raw is turbinado sugar, and the larger crystals mean that when using heat to melt the sugar, the sugar must be stirred constantly otherwise you will caramelize it and therefore change the taste.

Yes Scottes, I think you're correct that many folks (especially in the health food industry) use "cane sugar" to refer to a less-refined product, but the industry-standard use of "cane sugar" only refers to it's origin (which is really, really important if you're purchasing sugar for baked goods or confections as beet sugar can perform very differently.)

The 'cane sugar' purchased in a health food store differs from 'white sugar' only in the amount of molasses and impurities. The name 'cane sugar' sells better because it sounds more natural. Organic refers to how the cane was grown (and there are very strict laws about this labeling), not how it was produced.

Both products have been through some sort of refining process (and there are many different techniques used), and they're both made up of sucrose. The white is 99% sucrose (1%impurities), the "health food cane sugar" has 95-97% (the rest of the percentage being molasses plus impurities.) Neither product is particularly good for you if you need to watch your sugar intake...

I personally use cane sugar (the health food organic variety) for some things where I do want that molasses taste (simple syrup=yum), but white (crystal white) for baking, jellies, pickles and candies unless the recipe calls for another sweetener (brown, light brown, raw or maple sugar) because the moisture content can change the end result.

Please note that I'm looking at this from a baker's perspective and that the rules are a bit different for beverages. :)

M-B
P.S. Scottes, when you are in the area (Rumfest, perhaps?) I'll be sure to send you home with some sugar cookies topped with demerara sugar. Heavenly!!!