I initially bought this sugar for curing ham steaks which worked out well, but the package size prompted me to look for other uses for it and to find out whether it had more health benefits than refined sugar. This is what I found in my research.
- Turbinado sugar is partially refined sugar that retains some of the original molasses, giving it a subtle caramel flavor.
- Sometimes, turbinado sugar is called raw sugar — a marketing term implying that it’s minimally processed. However, despite this name, the sugar is not really “raw.” According to the FDA, the initial stages of sugar processing yield raw sugar, but raw sugar isn’t suitable for consumption as it’s contaminated with soil and other impurities. Turbinado sugar has been cleaned of this debris and is further refined, meaning that it isn’t raw.
- White sugar has virtually all of the molasses removed and goes through further refining to remove traces of color, only molasses on the surface of turbinado sugar crystals is removed. This generally leaves less than 3.5% molasses by weight.
- In contrast, brown sugar is typically made by adding molasses in precise amounts to white sugar. Light brown sugar contains 3.5% molasses, while dark brown sugar has 6.5% molasses. Both types of brown sugar are moister than turbinado sugar due to the additional molasses and have smaller crystals.
HOW TO USE TURBINADO CANE SUGAR:
- Top hot cereals, such as oatmeal and cream of wheat.
- Sprinkle on whole-grain muffins, scones, and quick bread.
- Mix in a dry spice rub for smoking or grilling meat or poultry.
- Sprinkle on baked sweet potatoes or roasted carrots and beets.
- Make candied nuts, such as pecans and almonds.
- Dress up baked fruit, such as pear, apple, or peach halves.
- Mix into a graham cracker pie crust.
- Decorate the tops of pies, apple crisp, and crème brûlée.
- Sprinkle on top of whole-wheat sugar cookies for a natural look.
- Mix with cinnamon and use on whole-grain toast.
- Sweeten coffee, tea, or other hot beverages.
This sugar would not work well in baking, such as bread, since the crystals are too large to dissolve in the recipes.
In my opinion, this is a more natural form of sugar that may be worth considering for many uses. In the past, I have bought brown sugar that was blotched with white spots. When I called Domino Sugar, they told me this happened because the molasses had not been thoroughly mixed in. So, I know brown sugar is nothing more than white sugar mixed with molasses. In addition, I know that buying sugar that is not cane sugar, is very likely beet sugar which is, at this time, 98% GMO. I am always looking for healthier options in food we use and try to avoid GMO products. This turbinado cane sugar may be a good sugar for some uses.
I hope this review was helpful for you.
Turbinado Sugar
