Sugar cane, is a tropical plant that is a cane. This cane is ready for cutting in 11-18 months. Unfortunately, most of the cutting is still done manually, although some is done mechanically. About half of the loading being mechanised.
After reaching the factory, the cane is chopped with a series of rapidly rotating knives. Iron and iron-alloy particles are removed by an electromagnet. The chopped cane is shredded, crushed and a small amount of water added to faciliitate cane juice separation. Generally, the crushed mixture is slightly acid[pH5.5].
Mixed juice is heated and clarified by the addition of lime and the decantation of impurities. The clarified juice is evaporated and the syrup transferred back and forth depending upon the Brix [pan 1: 16-180 Brix; pan 3: 55-750 Brix; final pan: 900 Brix]. The final syrup mix is centrifuged to extract the sugar crystals and remove molasses and liquid. The brown sugar may be further refined.
Brown sugar or raw sugar is decolorized by passing through carbon filters, recrystallizing in vacuum boiling pans, and removing final liquid by centrigation. It is simply a crystallization process.
From the process, three by-products of sugar cane are formed: molasses, bagasse and filter scums. The latter two by-products are recycled back into the processing plant. The filter scums contain phosphoric acid and are used as fertilizers in the fields. The bagasse is used as fuel to produce steam and electricity.
Turbinado sugar is raw cane sugar. This raw sugar that is refined fromthe initial pressing of sugar cane. The sugar crystals aren't stripped of any color or flavor giving it a natural taste. All natural Sugar In The Raw has no additives.
There are many different types of granulated sugar. Most of these are used only by food processors and professional bakers and are not available in the supermarket. The types of granulated sugars differ in crystal size. Each crystal size provides unique functional characteristics that make the sugar appropriate for the food processor's special need.
"Regular" sugar, extra fine or fine sugar: "regular" sugar, as it is known to consumers, is the sugar found in every home's sugar bowl and most commonly used in home food preparation. It is the white sugar called for in most cookbook recipes. The food processing industry describes "regular" sugar as extra fine or fine sugar. It is the sugar most used by food processors because of its fine crystals that are ideal for bulk handling and are not susceptible to caking. [3,5]
Fruit Sugar: Fruit sugar is slightly finer than "regular" sugar and is used in dry mixes such as gelatin desserts, pudding mixes and drink mixes. Fruit sugar has a more uniform crystal size than "regular" sugar. The uniformity of crystal size prevents separation or settling of smaller crystals to the bottom of the box, an important quality in dry mixes and drink mixes. [3,5]
Bakers Special: Bakers Specials' crystal size is even finer than that of fruit sugar. As its name suggests, it was developed specially for the baking industry. Bakers Special is used for sugaring doughnuts and cookies as well as in some commercial cakes to produce fine crumb texture.[5]
Superfine, ultrafine, or bar sugar: This sugar's crystal size is the finest of all the types of granulated sugar. It is ideal for extra fine textured cakes and meringues, as well as for sweetening fruits and iced-drinks since it dissolves easily. In England, a sugar very similar to superfine sugar is known as caster or castor, named after the type of shaker in which it is often packaged. [3,4]
Confectioners (or powdered sugar: This sugar is granulated sugar ground to a smooth powder and then sifted. It contains about 3% cornstarch to prevent caking. Confectioners sugar is available in three grades ground to different degrees of fineness. The confectioners sugar available in supermarkets is the finest of the three and is used in icings, confections and whipping cream. The other two types of powdered sugar are used by industrial bakers. [5,7]
Coarse sugar: The crystal size of coarse sugar is larger than that of "regular" sugar. Coarse sugar is normally processed from the purest sugar liquor. This processing method makes coarse sugar highly resistant to color chan ge or inversion (natural breakdown to fructose and glucose) at high temperatures. These characteristics are important in making fondants, confections and liquors.[3,5]
Sanding sugar: Another large crystal sugar, sanding sugar, is used mainly in the baking and confectionery industries to sprinkle on top of baked goods. The large crystals reflect light and give the product a sparkling appearance
Source:http://food.oregonstate.edu/sugar/gran.html
Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a Government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified,