What's Out There?
What’s Out There
• Stevia is a South American herb that can be 30 times sweeter than sugar but is calorie-free. It is sold in liquid and powder form and can be used in cooking, baking, and for sweetening.
• Evaporated cane juice is made from sugar cane but does not undergo the same level of processing, thereby retaining more of its healthful nutrients.
o It is used as a sweetener in many processed, natural foods and can also be used just like sugar for cooking and sweetening.
• Palm sugar, also referred to as coconut sugar or coconut palm sugar, is naturally low-glycemic and is high in vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
o It can be substituted for cane sugar in a 1:1 ratio so is excellent for baking.
• Agave nectar, also known as agave or blue agave syrup, is another low-glycemic alternative to cane sugar.
o Tasting like a combination of maple syrup and honey, agave nectar is three times sweeter than cane sugar so less is needed.
• Coconut crystals are produced when the coconut tree is tapped, yielding a nutrient rich sap that exudes from the coconut blossoms.
o Very low-glycemic, it has a more earthy than coconut flavour, but isn’t as sweet so should be combined with another sweetener when baking.
• Coconut nectar is very similar to coconut crystals but dissolves easily in liquids.
• Date sugar is made from dehydrated dates that are ground to a coarse texture.
o Substituted in a 1:1 ratio, it is an excellent alternative to brown sugar when used in baking, but doesn’t dissolve well when added to liquids.
• Raw, unprocessed honey is nature's richest source of living enzymes and is loaded with nutrients and antibacterial properties.
• Molasses is a by-product of cane sugar refining but unlike processed sugar, is full of nutrients.
• Maple syrup has a sweet, earthy flavour and can be three times sweeter than cane sugar. Its high levels of manganese and zinc make it a heart healthy alternative to cane sugar.
Tests, Buying It
Our Tests
To find out which natural sweetener tickled taste buds the best, we added four different kinds to plain iced tea and took them to a popular outdoor market to conduct a taste test. We used:
• Agave nectar
• Evaporated cane juice
• Stevia
• Palm sugar
Some people felt that the tea sweetened with Stevia had a slightly powdery, saccharin taste to it. Only 12% of taste testers chose it as their favourite. The tea made with palm sugar was even less popular. It earned 8% of votes as some thought it wasn’t sweet enough.
The evaporated cane juice fared much better. Although some people thought it was a bit too sweet, 34% of voters chose it over the others. And the agave nectar turned out to be most popular, with a ringing endorsement of 46% of taste tester votes.
Buying It
A variety of natural sweeteners can be found at many supermarkets, and at most health and natural food stores.
After You Buy
Each natural sweetener will have a different set of properties and shelf life, so follow the instructions for use and storage, and adhere to any “best before” dates on the package.
Introduction
Sugar is a carbohydrate and the body’s primary source of energy which is essential for healthy organs and muscles. But sugar derived from sugar cane and sugar beet can be heavily processed, leaving many people searching for a more natural alternative. We took a look at some of the more popular natural sweeteners available today.
What to Look For
• Some stevias have a bitter aftertaste so keep trying different brands until you find one that you like – just look for the stevia leaf on the label to know it’s authentic.
• Evaporated cane juice is also known as dried cane juice, crystallized cane juice, milled cane sugar, or direct consumption sugar.
o It is available in several forms that vary in texture, colour, and flavour. Milled cane, demerara, and muscovado are all varieties of evaporated cane juice.
• Palm sugar looks like brown sugar and has a similar caramel flavour. Look for a bag that is organic, unbleached, unfiltered, and preservative-free for the healthiest kind available.
• When shopping for agave nectar or syrup, look for one that is unprocessed and unfiltered without any added fillers or preservatives.
• Raw, organic honey is the best kind available and can be found at health food stores, some supermarkets, and even local farms.
• When shopping for molasses, consider that blackstrap grade is most beneficial to your health whereas mild and robust strengths have a sweeter flavour, making them more suitable for baking and cooking.
• When buying maple syrup, choose pure and organic since lesser, non-organic grades may contain contaminants from the extraction process. And remember that the darker the amber colour, the better the quality of maple syrup.