Whats the difference between granulated sugar and pure cane sugar

Whats the difference between granulated sugar and pure cane sugar

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It hasn't always been so easy to sweeten your tea. According to Saveur, in 1840, if you wanted to put some sugar in your tea, you would need to own a pair of sugar nippers, a cast-iron, scissor-like contraption that would cut off a chunk of sugar from your cone-shaped sugar loaf. When you wanted a cup of sweet tea, you would simply place a sugar chunk in your tea, letting the sugar dissolve until your drink reached your desired level of sweetness. The sugar chunk could then be removed and saved for later.

Today, things are much simpler, and, thankfully, nippers are no longer a requirement. What is required, though, is making the decision about which sugar to buy. A simple trip down the baking aisle might be overwhelming if you don't have a gameplan. Luckily, two options: cane sugar and white are so close in their makeup, they may be interchangeable.

Cane sugar and white sugar have some small distinctions

Whats the difference between granulated sugar and pure cane sugar

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White sugar, or granulated sugar, is a sugar that can be made from sugar cane or sugar beets, and is usually what recipes mean when they call for "sugar." It also has a list of other monikers, including table sugar, common sugar, or regular sugar. White sugar is good for making cocktails and desserts, as it dissolves quickly, much like our self-control around both of those tempting indulgences (via Food52).

According to Cook's Illustrated, natural cane sugar is made from sugar cane, and unlike its polished contemporary, is not as refined. Some find the taste of cane sugar deeper than white sugar, and cane sugar also has larger crystals and is more golden in color. 

The main consideration for substituting cane sugar for white sugar is its color, as cane sugar's darker color might make it hard to hit the sweet spot on the color spectrum for some recipes. Cook's Illustrated found that cane sugar might discolor lighter-colored drinks when used as a substitute for white sugar (murky Tom Collins, anyone?) and that cane sugar's darker color might pose a problem detecting color changes while making caramel sauce. The sweet news is that for the most part, white sugar and cane sugar can easily be used as substitutions for each other in recipes. Meaning you don't have to run to the store if you have either in your cabinet, which leaves more time for savoring your sweet creations!

Reviewed by Dan Brennan, MD on December 03, 2020

White granulated sugar can come from either sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) or sugar beets. Cane sugar is specifically the sugar made from sugar cane. The sucrose molecules in both types of sugar are identical, however, so scientifically there isn't much difference.

Sugar is typically associated with adverse health effects. But in moderation, cane sugar offers some notable health benefits.

Nutrition Information

On its own, cane sugar is not rich in vitamins or minerals. One teaspoon of unrefined cane sugar provides:

  • 16 calories
  • 0 grams of fiber
  • 0 grams of protein
  • 0 milligrams of sodium
  • 0 grams of fat
  • 0 grams of cholesterol
  • 4 grams of carbohydrates

Potential Health Benefits of Cane Sugar

Many people believe that alternative sweeteners like honey, brown sugar, or molasses are healthier than cane sugar. However, that’s not necessarily true. Sugar is a type of simple carbohydrate that your body uses for energy.

Honey, brown sugar, and other sugars have no nutritional advantages over cane sugar.

Cane sugar can help you:

Have more energy. Your body’s primary source of energy is a simple sugar called “glucose,” which comes from the breakdown of sugars. You'll usually find sugars in fruits, dairy products, and grains. But your body processes cane sugar the same way it processes sugar found in any other kind of food. It splits both into two simple sugars— fructose and glucose. The glucose molecules are then carried to the cells to be converted into energy.

Store energy as healthy fats. Much has been said about fats, but as much as we try to cut them, we need them. When you take in more glucose than your body needs for energy, the excess gets stored as glycogen in fat cells and the liver. This process helps your body’s blood glucose level return to normal

As long as you don’t take in more calories than you use, this storage of energy is healthy — like having a big gas tank in your car so you don’t have to fill it up as often. It allows your body to keep functioning without needing to eat constantly.

Keep a good mood. Cane sugar triggers the body to create serotonin, a feel-good hormone that raises your mood. Dips in your body’s serotonin levels are why you crave sugar, especially when you’re tired or unhappy. You get a mood boost from serotonin when you eat sugary treats.

You also help your body manage your stress levels. Under stress, your brain needs about 12% more energy, and the glucose from cane sugar can help provide the fuel you need. 

Potential Risks of Cane Sugar

Sugar currently makes up about 13% of the calories that the average American has each day. However, sugar should be less than 10%. Although it provides a quick boost of energy and helps increase blood sugar levels, be careful not to consume too much. That can lead to things including diabetes, obesity, heart disease and fatty liver.

While it can help your mood, there can be a rebound effect when you eat too much sugar. This rebound effect might be why there is a high correlation between countries that take in a lot of sugar and countries with high rates of depression.

Like most foods, cane sugar only causes problems when it’s eaten in excessive quantities. If you constantly crave sugar even if you eat it regularly, try to find new ways to regulate your mood or reduce stress. Your doctor can help you find some.

Healthy Alternatives

While cutting sweeteners entirely probably isn't a realistic goal, there's no doubt that fruit (fresh or frozen) can help lessen dependency on sugar. Things like applesauce, bananas or berries don't have empty calories, but can make your foods plenty sweet.

Ask your doctor or a nutritionist for other ideas on how to use fruit as an effective sweetener.

Can I use pure cane sugar instead of granulated sugar?

Cane sugar is like granulated sugar, but exclusively made of sugarcane (as opposed to sugar beets), and processed way less. The crystals emerge ever-so-slightly larger than granulated, and are lightly golden. Despite these differences, cane sugar is a fine substitute for granulated sugar.

Is pure cane sugar better than granulated sugar?

However, though raw cane sugar is often marketed as a healthy alternative to regular sugar, there's no real difference between them. In fact, both are identical in terms of chemical composition and made up of sucrose, a molecule formed by units of simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose (3).

Is cane sugar and granulated sugar the same?

White granulated sugar can come from either sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) or sugar beets. Cane sugar is specifically the sugar made from sugar cane. The sucrose molecules in both types of sugar are identical, however, so scientifically there isn't much difference.

Can you substitute cane sugar for granulated sugar in baking?

You sure can, and it has some wonderful results. C&H® Organic Cane Sugar imparts a deeper flavor to baked goods because it contains a little of the molasses flavor that's processed out of granulated sugar.