The nectar is simply heated until all the liquid evaporates. Then, it’s placed under heat till the water is totally evaporated to get brown granulated sugar. It has a reputation for being somewhat healthier than brown sugar. This makes is more similar in process to honey, though it’s a granule, not a syrup. The sweet taste of brown sugar is also determined by the quality of the water sap. Health-wise, organic coconut sugar and palm sugar has a slight difference. Coconut sugar has less moisture in it than brown sugar, so if you’re baking with it you may need to add a bit more liquid to your recipe to keep the overall consistency of your baked good the same, regardless of how well it dissolves. Brown sugar is simply granulated white sugar with added molasses for color and a mild flavor. Coconut sugar, more accurately coconut palm sugar, is made from sap of the coconut palm that has been extracted and then boiled and dehydrated. You can also find partially refined brown sugar which has had some of the molasses removed and is the middle ground between reconstituted and unrefined brown sugar. There’s a popular trick of placing a piece of bread in with your brown sugar to pull moisture from the sugar to keep it from clumping together. If you were to have small bowls of coconut sugar and brown sugar placed in front of you, you might not visually be able to tell the difference. How you use them in your baking provides subtle differences even though you can substitute one for the other. Coconut sugar is not new but it has recently become popular as an alternative sweetener. Some people may think of it as a more healthful sugar than other kinds, but there is much … The answer is not as clear-cut as you might think. Honey. However, coconut sugar is less sweet and less naturally moist. We hope you’ve learned a little something about coconut sugar and brown sugar. Your friend, Jaron! It’s slightly nutty, a little bit caramel, and not nearly as sweet as refined white sugar. Palm sugar is often used in Thai dishes.) Inulin and nutrients likely lower coconut sugar's blood sugar impact. Regular brown sugar is often made in an equally deceptive way, by taking the white cane and adding molasses to it. Brown sugar alone wouldn't whip up with the butter quite as well as white sugar would, but it'd react more intensely with the baking soda. Yes, in general, you can substitute coconut sugar for brown sugar and vice versa, cup for cup. It is taken from the buds of the coconut tree, not from the coconut itself. It’s just as processed as white sugar, and is made through the same process, with one simple extra step. Use it if you are on a budget or simply cannot find coconut sugar in your local grocery store. Coconut sugar is subtly sweet almost like brown sugar but with a slight hint of caramel. If you’re using it in coffee or a warm beverage, just give it a good stir and you’ll have no problem. You are here: Home / SPICEography Showdown / Coconut Sugar Vs. Brown Sugar: SPICEography Showdown. There may be something to the argument “sugar is sugar”, but there are still significant differences between coconut sugar and brown sugar. Brown sugar does not provide inulin. Sucanat. While coconut sugar is widely touted as having a lower glycemic index, this benefit is unproven; however, it does contain inulin. Coconut palm sugar is made of coconut palm sap, which is a sugary fluid of the coconut plant. As just mentioned, the signature flavor in brown sugar is molasses. Coconut sugar tends to be larger individual granules, which will affect the way it dissolves, especially if you’re discussing use in baking. Coconut sugar is an ideal sweetener alternative due to its various health benefits. For the highest quality sugar, whether coconut or brown sugar, Amazon is our favorite shopping center. Coconut sugar is caramel colored with a taste that is similar to that of brown sugar and can be substituted for cane sugar in most recipes. To compensate, if you’re swapping coconut sugar for brown sugar, you might want to consider adding a bit more liquid. Is it too much? Coconut sugar also called coconut crystals or coconut palm sugar sometimes is a great alternative to refined white sugar. Some coconut sugar products are not 100% coconut sugar but instead a blend with cane sugar. The final product is coconut sugar, which is caramel-coloured and tastes similar to brown sugar. There are many more similarities and differences, from what they taste like to how they’re used. It’s most commonly compared to a light brown sugar, in fact, though not as sweet. I started this website, honestly, because someone told me I couldn’t. Most people misunderstand … The biggest difference between coconut sugar and brown sugar is how and what they’re made of. Many common brown sugars are simply white refined sugar with molasses added back in. Does this make it safe and healthful for people with diabetes to eat? Coconut sugar is somewhat different. This means that consuming the same amount of sugar will trigger a much-reduced response from your metabolic system (if you eat coconut sugar), helping you keep your blood sugar balanced more effectively. Coconut palm sugar has a rich caramel color, tastes like brown sugar, and has a relatively low glycemic index score. Some bakers have found that because of its softer texture, coconut sugar does not blend as well with butter as brown sugar does. White sugar, conversely, would fail to react with the baking soda, but after being properly creamed, it'd still aerate the dough well enough to provide some lift. The golden brown coconut sugar is obtained by heating the sap of the coconut flower until most liquid has evaporated. Brown sugar is very famous among the people of Indonesia, because sugar is always there in people’s lives as an example of brown sugar is almost always used as a spice in Indonesian cuisine. It's lower on the glycemic index than white or brown sugar, making it a more attractive option … Sucanat … Visit our sister site PepperScale. It’s actually made from the nectar of coconut palm flowers. It might pay off, but you also might end up with baked goods that are denser and/or drier. Brown sugar does not have these trace amounts of vitamins, minerals, or other healthy materials. In other words, it’s hardly processed. Molasses cuts the sweetness and adds a smoky flavor but doesn’t change the foundational ingredient: white sugar. Summary Coconut sugar … Both plants undergo a similar process to produce sugar. In addition to being widely available, it is relatively inexpensive when compared to coconut sugar. Unless the word “coconut” is placed in front of it, then it’s probably made from the … The biggest difference between coconut sugar and brown sugar is what they’re made of. It is usually made from sugar cane, but it can be made from sugar beets. Coconut sugar is a great sweetener for beverages like coffee and tea. While coconut sugar is an effective sweetener, it does not function exactly like cane sugar. Cons Coconut sugar has a softer texture than refined sugar, which means that, despite its similar appearance, the granules don't perforate butter as well. Up Next: Vanilla Essence Vs Vanilla Extract – The Differences. To Cane Sugar (aka sugar) Cane sugar is typically sold in crystalline form and is often sprinkled on foods, used to sweeten warm beverages, and used in baking recipes. It is just as good in candies like caramel and toffee, as well as in frostings. The sap is collected from the flower of the coconut palm in a container. Before you make your decision, consider each sugar from every angle. Coconut Sugar Vs. Brown Sugar: SPICEography Showdown. We’re also programmed to understand that “brown” products are healthier than white alternatives. Brown sugar is simply granulated white sugar with added molasses for color and a mild flavor. It does taste similar to brown sugar and provides very mild caramel notes. Brown sugar can be used to replace coconut sugar in all cases as long as you are mindful of the difference in health benefits. Where the biggest nutritional difference occurs is in the glycemic index (GI), and this is primarily why coconut sugar has become so popular in recent years. Discover 500+ spicy recipes and hundreds of pepper profiles, comparisons, cooking tips + more. They’re made from completely different plants, which we’ve already discussed. 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