whole cane sugar

the natural frugal decision on cane sugar is
Wholesome Sweeteners Fair Trade Organic Sucanat®

 

http://www.wholesomesweeteners.com/brands/Wholesome_Sweeteners/Fair_Trade_Certified_Organic_Sucanat.html

click the link for more detailed information.

Sucuanat is a brand name for whole cane sugar, they are not they only brand that makes it. 

whole cane sugar is the most natural, minimally processed cane sugar available.

it hasn't had its molasses washed away, retaining iron, calcium, vitamin B6, potassium and chromium, which helps balance blood sugar. though some might say the amount of nutrients, in the amount of sugar you're usually eating, is negligible.

this Sucanat brand is organic and fair trade from Costa Rica, meaning farmers are paid directly, so they can compete with factory farms, practice sustainable farming, and support the development of local communities.

some mills use the leftover fibers from the crushed sugar cane stalk to burn as a sustainable, fossil fuel free, source of electricity.

i've also seen paper napkins made from sugar cane stalks, instead of trees.

other sweeteners:

typical white sugar is made from genetically modified (gmo) sugar beets.

other brown sugars have had molasses added back in after removing it.

the other varieties cane sugar are pretty good and natural, but have had a fair amount of their molasses and nutrient content washed, steamed, or rinsed out.

"raw," demerara style, or turbinado cane sugar, isn't raw in terms of not being heated or cooked.

all cane sugar available has been heated to evaporate the water out of the cane juice.

turbinado sugar has been spun in a turbine to dry the juice into solid sugar crystals.

local honey is a great natural sweetener, but sometimes a solid sweetener is less of a mess.

more on local honey in it's own post coming soon.

local organic grade b maple syrup seems good, haven't felt the need to research it, but in glass please.

i hear apple juice/cider is a great way to sweeten things, i haven't personally tried it, i usually just drink it.

agave syrup is natural, but high in fructose, which is almost entirely metabolized in the liver, while glucose can be metabolized in every cell in your body.