Differences between Demerara, Turbinado, and Evaporated Cane Juice

[Hassouni]

Just as the thread title says - is there a difference between Demerara and turbinado sugars, and how are they different (in terms of production) than what's sold as "evaporated cane juice" - which always seems to be a lighter product?

[Panaderia Canadiense]

Here's my understanding: Demerara and Turbinado have both been processed a second, and in the case of Demerara, third time after simple evaporation, which results in a higher concentration of molasses solids in the final product. Simple evaporated cane is almost always pale (with the exception of drought-cropped black cane, which is a class of its own) simply because it hasn't been concentrated in the refining process.

Hence, the flavours of the three sugars will be greatly different. Simple evaporado has less complexity than Turbinado, and less again than Demerara. However, the queen of the dark sugars is undoubtedly Panela, which is subject to a different process and is infinitely richer in flavour.

[Darienne]

However, the queen of the dark sugars is undoubtedly Panela, which is subject to a different process and is infinitely richer in flavour.

I know little about the various sugars really, but the first time I tasted Panela just last year, I thought there would never be another sugar in the world for me. I was stunned by the complexity of the taste. :wub:

[breadguy]

I got my panela while in Colombia... - South America. You are right... it is very good. Mexicans have something very similar but I forget what it is called.

I thought demerara and turbinado were the same. Shows how much I know! I get the Demerara in 50lb bags from my local bakery supply. It comes from Africa. it is fairly dark...