More Natural Sweeteners

Honey

This sweet alternative is one of the best around. Honey is made by honeybees from plant nectar and contains healthful propolis and pollen. Honey can be substituted for white sugar in just about every recipe and is great for sweeting hot or cold teas, hot or cold cereals, and more. The downside to honey is that children under the age of 2 years should not eat it due to health concerns of botulism.
   

Date Sugar

This whole-food sweetener is made of dried, pulverized dates. Some manufacturers add oat flour to make it free-flowing and others add oil for softness. Date sugar is rick in iron and potassium, making it a healthy alternative for you. What’s more, it has a high fiber content. Since it does not dissolve, many say it is good for baking and using in crumb toppings. Be careful, however, because it burns easily.

Demerara Sugar

This sugar is very similar to turbinado. The process of making Dermera involves heating the cane juice, filtering and spinning it in a centrifuge to separate the molasses from the crystals.

Fruit Juice Concentrate

All this is  fruit juice cooked down to a syrup and frozen. Fruit juice concentrates have fruity flavors and a sweet solution to white sugar. Remember, however, that non-organic grapes can have high levels of pesticide residues, so they are to be avoided.

Maple Sugar

This granulated sugar is a favorite natural sweetener. Not only is it not as strong as refined sugars, it is so light, it can be used to replace white sugar for many desserts. The only downside to this product is that it is more expensive than some of the natural sweeteners available.

Maple Syrup

This sweetener is not just for pancakes anymore. It is the boiled sap of sugar maple trees and there is a crystallized form now available. Many have found that it is sweeter than many sugars and good for apple and other pies. What is good about Maple Syrup is that it makes wonderful sweetened cakes. Be sure you choose the Grade A, which is sweeter and less robust than the Grade B. Also, make sure you buy the organic type because the un-organic is processed with formaldehyde, a known toxin. Many find that for a better pancake syrup, just mix half Maple Syrup with half honey. Be sure to refrigerate this sweetener to inhibit mold formation.
 

Molasses

This is a by-product of white sugar. Molasses is a great alternative, however, because it contains many minerals and vitamins that white sugar does not. It is also high in iron. Many use it for ginger breads and cookies. The robust, dark flavor makes it unique. If you see the label ‘un-sulphured’ molasses, you will know that this indicates that there is no sulphur dioxide used in the extraction and preservation process. Be sure you put your molasses in the refrigerator to ward off mold.

Muscavado Sugar

This sweetener is made from unrefined, evaporated cane juice. Unlike processing for white sugar, the sugar is not separated from the stream when the cane is crushed. The juice is not spun, but dried slowly to hold the plant material in the crystals that make the flavor. It is unbleached and  crystalline.

Rapadura

This is a unrefined, whole cane sugar that is sweet and dark in flavor. Rapadura is loaded with minerals, too. It is very versatile and can be used in a myriad of desserts.

Sorghum

This sweet alternative has a taste very similar to molasses. It is actually a by-product of molasses. Sorghum is a ‘whole-food’ item, made from the grain of sorghum. There are different types of this sweetener, some light in color and flavor, some darker in color and flavor. Many find it a great alternative for corn syrup and use if for pecan pies, caramel popcorn, and caramel apples.

Stevia

This is a green, perennial shrub herb that happens to be sweet. The Japanese have used it for years as a no-calorie sweetener. It is 30 times as sweet as white sugar so Many grind it up into a powder but if made incorrectly, it can have a bitter taste. Experts want to use stevia in moderation because it may lead to diarrhea. There are several products out there that are made from the stevia plant so check the label for it. Make sure you use a product that has no chemicals which is a good choice.

Turbinado Sugar

This is made when cane sugar juice is heated then spun in a centrifuge or turbine to extract the moisture. The use of the turbine gives Turbinado Sugar its name. Large, golden crystals are formed from this process and it is very close in flavor to refined sugar.

Xylitol

This sweetener comes from corncobs and tastes similar to cane sugar. It is very low in calories and does not cause cavities. Therefore, it is a great sweet alternative for children and diabetics.

Zero

This is the brand name for the certified, organic, calorie-free erythritol. Erythritol is a type of sugar alcohol that is derived from organic sugar cane juice and is fermented, filtered, and crystallized.