When it comes to sweet-tasting, soluble carbohydrates used in food, sugar is the first thing that springs to mind. The most commonly known sugar, sucrose, is a combination of glucose and fructose extracted from sugar cane or sugar beet. However, in the realm of “raw” sugars, demerara sugar stands out. Alongside other cane sugars like turbinado sugar, washed sugar, and evaporated cane juice, demerara undergoes a single crystallization process, unlike twice for granulated white sugar.
Does this make it a superior choice? Let’s delve into the intriguing world of demerara sugar and how it differs from ordinary white sugar.
Comparing Demerara Sugar vs Sugar
| Demerara Sugar | Sugar | |
| Substitution ratio | 1:1 | 1:1 |
| Gluten-free? | Yes | Yes |
| Keto-friendly? | No | No |
| Paleo-friendly? | No | No |
| Common Allergens | Sugarcane | Sugarcane |
| Pantry shelf life (unopened/sealed) | 2 plus years | 2 plus years |
| Best for baking | Sprinkling on cookies, baked goods, and oatmeal | Baking cakes, pastries, and desserts |
Differences Between Demerara Sugar And Sugar
Demerara sugar is a minimally processed raw sugar. It is sourced from sugar cane and undergoes minimal refining, which means it retains some of the natural molasses. This gives it a distinct golden color and a slightly deeper flavor compared to regular sugar. It has larger, coarser crystals that provide a pleasant crunch. Demerara sugar is often used in baking, such as in sugar cookies, or as a natural sweetener in beverages.
Regular sugar is derived from sugar cane or sugar beets and goes through a more intensive refining process. This refining removes the molasses and leaves behind pure sucrose. Table sugar is commonly found in granulated or powdered form. It is a versatile sweetener used in various food applications, including as a sweetener, preservative, and texture modifier.
In terms of health implications, despite being less processed than brown or white sugar, demerara sugar should still be consumed in moderation. While it retains some of its natural components, it is still a form of added sugar and may impact health if consumed excessively.
Taste and Culinary Uses
Demerara sugar, with its distinguished golden hue, carries subtle caramel notes that some liken to a toffee flavor. This unique taste arises from traces of molasses that remain in the sugar during the manufacturing process. Due to its distinct flavor, Demerara sugar adds a delightful crunch and a subtle hint of molasses when used as a topping for baked goods. Its coarse texture makes it particularly well-suited for recipes that call for a crunchy element.
Regular sugar, often called granulated sugar, is considered the gold standard of sweet taste. It possesses a clean, pleasant sweetness from beginning to end, without any lingering aftertaste or secondary flavors. Regular sugar plays a pivotal role in adding color and bulk to baked goods. It is widely used in sauces, syrups, beverages, and various culinary applications where a consistent and balanced sweetness is desired.
Are Demerara Sugar and Sugar Substitutes for Each Other?
Demerara sugar and white sugar can be interchanged at a one-to-one ratio, offering an equivalent level of sweetness. However, the molasses present in demerara lends it a slightly caramel-like taste.
Nutritional Profile And Health Benefits
- Table sugar (granulated sugar, sucrose) – 2 tsp:
- Calories: 30
- Total carbs: 8 g
- Sugars: 8 g
- GI: 65
- Demerara sugar – 2 tsp:
- Calories: 30
- Total carbs: 8 g
- Sugars: 8 g
- GI: around 65
Sugar, a simple carbohydrate, supplies the body with rapid energy in the form of glucose. Glucose is essential for the proper functioning of cells, tissues, and organs. Consuming demerara sugarcane can give you a glucose hit but also provides trace amounts of vitamins and minerals like potassium, unlike white sugar.
Diet Suitability
Demerara sugar, in comparison to regular white sugar, offers a more diet-friendly option. While white sugar undergoes a refining process that may involve bone char, making it non-vegan, demerara sugar is produced without this filtration step. This makes demerara sugar a suitable choice for individuals following a vegan diet.
In terms of the paleo, keto, and Whole30 diets, demerara sugar is not recommended, as even though it is more natural than white sugar (which is also not recommended), it is still high carb and not healthy.
How to Store Demerara Sugar and Sugar
Both table sugar and demerara sugar are best stored at room temperature in an airtight container.
Price and Availability
Demerara sugar comes with a hefty price tag, reaching around $7.15 per pound, in stark contrast to the low cost of regular sugar, ranging as low as 25 cents per pound. Demerara sugar is also more challenging to find than regular sugar and is usually only available in specialty stores, organic markets, health food stores, or online.
Environmental Impact
White and demerara sugar have contrasting impacts on the environment. The burning of sugarcane, primarily for white sugar production, negatively affects the environment by causing air pollution. When the leafy parts of sugarcane are burned, they release various toxic and hazardous substances which significantly contribute to air pollution. These substances are further linked to the pressing issue of climate change.
On the other hand, demerara sugar, along with other less processed brown sugars like turbinado and muscovado, has a comparatively lower impact on the environment. Unlike white sugar, which undergoes processing that involves the removal of molasses, these brown sugars retain more of the natural molasses content present in cane sugars. As a result, they require less processing, which means reduced emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Organic and Fair Trade options for demerara sugar and other sugars are available, providing an opportunity to choose more environmentally sustainable alternatives.
Demerara Sugar vs. Sugar: The Ultimate Verdict
Despite its price tag, I prefer demerara sugar over white sugar for the taste. However, I do use it sparingly just because it is so expensive! Demerara sugar is a great way to enjoy the flavor of real cane sugar, and its comparatively lower impact on the environment makes it a sustainable choice.
FAQs
It really depends on what you mean by “healthier.” Nutritionally speaking, demerara and white sugar contain the same calories and carbohydrates. However, demerara sugar is less processed than white sugar, which means it still has some trace minerals lost in the refining process of white sugar.
There is often confusion between demerara sugar and brown sugar. Although demerara sugar falls under the umbrella of brown sugar, it differs from the commonly recognized brown sugar that most consumers are familiar with. Brown sugar is usually made by adding molasses back into white refined sugar, whereas demerara retains its natural molasses.
It is ultimately up to the individual and their healthcare provider to decide which sugar is best for them. Generally, it’s recommended that people limit their consumption of added sugars as much as possible, regardless of whether they are white or brown. However, raw honey is up there when it comes to health benefits.
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