They say having too much sugar can be bad for anyone, but many of our dishes require sugar, especially if you’re baking. Luckily, there’s a way around this: the use of sugar alternatives like demerara sugar.
Demerara sugar is used to make desserts like brownies, pie crusts, whipped cream toppings, and more. It’s a healthy sugar substitute, so you can use it as an alternative sweetener for coffee or tea, too.
Keep reading to learn more about the rich history and health benefits of this delicious sweetener!
History of Demerara Sugar
Demerara sugar comes from sugarcane juice. It’s unrefined, meaning it hasn’t been processed to remove impurities like molasses or glucose syrup. This type of sugar is popular in desserts because it has a rich, dark color, and an intense caramel flavor.
The name “Demerara” comes from the city in Guyana where it was first produced on a large scale in 1790. At first, this type of cane sugar was grown on plantations throughout the Caribbean. But by 1820, most sugar production shifted to Brazil, which now produces 75% of the world’s Demerara sugar.
But why is Demerara sugar important? The answer is its rich history.
What is Demerara Sugar?
Demerara sugar is a type of raw or brown sugar; it is large-grained and slightly sticky with hints of caramel flavor. It has larger crystals due to being spun in the production process rather than being heavily processed like the standard white table sugar, which results in smaller grains.
Moreover, demarara sugar has a golden brown color due to the presence of natural molasses. It can either be completely unrefined or slightly refined with the leftover molasses from brown sugar.
It also boasts a richer flavor that enhances the taste of any dish. And despite being richer than the standard white sugar, it’s also said to be healthier.
Health Benefits of Demerara Sugar
Let’s discuss some health-based benefits of demerara sugar:
Minimally Processed
Demerara sugar is processed minimally compared to most regular sugars. And according to many researchers, raw sugars retain most of their vitamins and minerals, so they’re healthier than processed sugar.
Packed with Vitamins and Minerals
Demerara sugar has natural molasses containing Vitamins B3 and B5, calcium, iron, and many other vitamins and minerals. It also certain nutrients that help in processing the sugar and also contains less sucrose. So, you’re more likely to prevent Vitamin B depletion by consuming this sugar instead of regular sugar.
Supplies Energy
All types of sugar are known to have carbohydrates, and demerara sugar is no different. Carbohydrates are an essential element to boost our energy, and demerara sugar has enough of them to keep you going throughout the day.
Helps Maintain Metabolism
Demerara sugar can aid in boosting your metabolism when used in place of regular sugars. Moreover, it doesn’t affect the metabolization of calcium compared to white sugar.
Nourishes the Skin
Demerara supports skin nourishment through its glycolic acid content, which is great for keeping your skin moisturized. However, you don’t need to consume it to boost your skin’s radiance. You can use it as an exfoliator and watch your skin glow as the sugar wipes out most of your accumulated dead skin cells.
Demarara Sugar vs. Other Sugar Types
Out of all the sugar types available in the market, Demerara sugar is one of the most unique. Demerara sugar is made from pure cane sugar. Its distinctive features include a light golden brown color and a slightly sweet taste. It’s also known for its large crystals, which perfectly tops desserts.
Compared to other sugars, Demerara sugar contains more minerals like potassium, magnesium, and zinc. Moreover, it has a lower glycemic index, which means it doesn’t cause as much of a spike in blood sugar levels as other sugars do. This makes Demarara sugar a good choice for people who are trying to manage their blood sugar levels.
Demerara sugar is also a good source of fiber, which helps regulate digestion. Additionally, the antioxidants in Demerara sugar may aid in protecting you against cell damage and help reduce the risk of some diseases.
So, if you’re looking for a unique sugar with a variety of health benefits, Demarara sugar is a great choice. Try using it in your coffee, tea, or favorite recipes. You might love the sweet taste and its health benefits.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that demerara sugar may be a completely new term to many, so we prepared and answered some common questions regarding this sugar.
Is brown sugar and demerara sugar the same?
Demerara sugar and brown sugar are not the same. Demerara sugar is a type of brown sugar made from reduced and crystallized sugar cane juice. Meanwhile, regular brown sugar comes from pure white sugar with molasses added back for flavor.
Both brown sugar and demerara sugar can have the same flavor profiles and perform the same way, but demerara sugar can have less of the molasses flavor.
What is the difference between demerara sugar and turbinado sugar?
While demerara and turbinado sugar are almost the same, there are two basic differences between them. Demerara sugar comes in large grains that are sticky to the touch, while turbinado sugar comes in slightly finer crystals and is less sticky.
Moreover, demerara sugar has a slight toffee-like flavor, and turbinado sugar has a more caramel-like flavor. However, both demerara and turbinado sugar are good substitutes for regular white sugar.
Which demerara sugar cubes are the best?
Finding the right demerara sugar cubes can be a hassle, given all the choices on the market today. Our top two choices would be:
01. Gilway Demerara Sugar Cubes
02. Rolan Rough Cut Demerara Sugar Cubes
How do I make demerara sugar syrup?
To make demerara sugar syrup, simply get 1 cup of demerara sugar and 1 cup of water. Then, boil the ingredients in a saucepan and keep stirring until the sugar completely dissolves. Let it cool in the pan before transferring it to an airtight container.
Note that you need to keep it in a chilled place to make it last longer. If you seal demerara syrup properly and place it on the fridge, it can last for six months.
Is demerara sugar good for diabetes?
While demerara sugar is said to be healthier than white sugar, it is still sugar. Diabetic patients are always advised to not consume sugar, and we believe demerara sugar should not be an exception.
How many calories does demerara sugar have?
In 1 teaspoon (4 g) of demerara sugar, there are about 16 calories. This is the same number of calories that 1 teaspoon of white sugar has. So, demerara sugar cannot help in controlling your calorie intake.
What are the substitutes for demerara sugar?
Demerara sugar can sometimes be hard to find in the market. Try not to worry when this happens and look for substitutes or alternatives instead.
The best substitute for demerara sugar is turbinado sugar, but other substitutes include light brown sugar, granulated sugar, or sanding sugar. Light brown sugar can be used in the same amount as demerara sugar since they both have the subtle flavor of molasses.
Meanwhile, you can use granulated sugar by using a pinch of it in recipes. However, note that it does have a delicate texture, so there will be little differences in flavor.
Lastly, sanding sugars work as great substitutes when you need to sprinkle it on top of baked goods.
How do I use demerara sugar?
Demerara sugar can be used in coffee or tea as a sweetener. Unlike regular sugar, it gives your hot beverages a little toffee-like flavor.
Moreover, since it has a crunchy texture, it’s great for sprinkling on desserts, fruits, or cereal. You can also use it as a topping for baked goods like biscuits, cookies, or cakes to give it a crunchy texture.
Can I use demerara sugar for baking?
You can use demerara sugar for baking. In fact, it’s mostly used for baking recipes. Many people use it as a topping on biscuits or cakes and for crumbles.
Where can I buy demerara sugar?
It can be found in department stores. If not, you can always find it on Amazon.
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Final Thoughts
Demerara sugar is a healthier alternative than regular white sugar. It has a lot of benefits, and its toffee flavor is a great match for baked goods and hot beverages. However, you may find it difficult to purchase due to its lack of availability in grocery stores, so refer to our listed demerara alternatives when that happens.
Also, note that while demerara sugar offers more benefits than regular sugar, it’s still best to not overconsume any type of sugar. Remember, too much of a good thing can be bad, no matter how healthy it is.