Comments on: Vegan Cane Sugar

By: Renee Mann

Renee Mann — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:38:09 +0000

I noticed a “strange” taste to this vegan cane sugar. Am I the only one?

By: Gabriela

Gabriela — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:36:48 +0000

Hi, I have the same question as Jeff, how come it is not organic?
I bought a package and didn’t notice until i got home. I don’t want to return it since the Whole Trade and Vegan aspects are still worth the buy but I am wondering what is the difference between the way it is grown at the moment and the way it would be grown if it was organic.

Because of liver issues I am eating all organic and avoiding pesticides, so I would like to know if there are some remains in this sugar so I know if to keep it or give it as a present to some vegan friend.
Thanks.

By: Chelsea Anderson

Chelsea Anderson — Fri, 15 May 2009 03:51:18 +0000

I just made my favorite vegan chocolate chip cookies with this sugar and they didn’t turn out right. They cooked WAY faster than usual (crispy/burnt in 10 minutes when they usually need about 12) and aren’t nearly as sweet. I’m thinking of throwing all the sugar (and probably the cookies) out and starting over.

By: Viv

Viv — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 23:11:31 +0000

Ivy,

Regarding problems baking with it: I just finished making the caramel for a flan I was baking (in bain marie) today and had difficulties using this sugar.

I normally use superfine or even refined sugar for the caramel but have wanted to move away from those sugars and to go organic and cane sugar instead.

Well, when I put the sugar in the stainless steel pan to make the caramel the sugar wouldn’t melt as fast or as well. It felt wet and it created lots of popping sounds and lumps.

It took a lot of elbow grease and care to be able to dissolve the sugar and turn it into caramel using as high heat as possible without turning the caramel too dark or even worse, too bitter.

This was my first experience baking with it. I’m sharing this flan with friends and family and now I find myself crossing fingers that it comes out okay. I’ll try turbinado next. I’ll report back.

PS: This might just be one of those products that are great for sweetening drinks and coffee and so on but not for baking. It happens.

By: Marc

Marc — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 11:52:09 +0000

Glad to see a first in an attempt to stop using bone char – good move by Whole Foods. Have been purchasing turbinado in bulk for many years and then saw the vegan sugar in the store the other day. One comment I did have… there is nothing on the packaging to indicate as to why it is Vegan. Veg*an folks read labels constantly and are rather untrusting of food products that say they’re veg when, in fact they are sometimes “marginally” veg and not acceptable to many vegans. Putting a comment on the bag to indicate that no bone char is used would really help us veg folks make a snap decision to put it in the cart rather than hunt down a page on the net with more detail prior to buying it! Just a suggestion… but is still awesome to see that WF is offering it. Thx!

By: Ivy

Ivy — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:47:33 +0000

I bought some of this sugar and tried baking with it. I made baked rice (with a 1:1 ratio) and the product didn’t seem as sweet. I then just am making a apple pie for my dad’s birthday. The recipe was amazing the first time. This time I used this sugar in the carmel sauce and it was kind of strange. Almost like the butter wouldn’t mix in with the sugar. Anyone else had any trouble getting recipes to turn out the same? I usually use a natural sugar like turbinado, fair trade sugar or sucanat.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 06:33:39 +0000

Hi,

I have another question about the 365 powdered sugar. I realize it is not being processed using bone char, but how is it being refined? Does it go through the same refining process that conventional powdered sugar goes through, such as Domino? Or is it refined in a more wholesome way? We are trying to avoid refined sugar altogether, but there doesn’t seem to be a good alternative to confectioner’s/powderd sugar anywhere and we occassionally have to make a frosting for a cake. Is your powdered (vegan) sugar my best option?

By: Winnie Hsia

Winnie Hsia — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:18:09 +0000

@Jenny Our 365 brand sugars do not contain bone char processed sugar, but for our other 365 products may. I will check with our Private Label team to see if they can get an answer about the kind of sugar used in our chocolate chips. Thanks.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 23:03:55 +0000

Did I overlook this – sorry if I did – are you saying that none of Whole Foods 365 brand products use bone char processed sugar? I am thinking in particular of the chocolate chips that just say “sugar” on the package. THANKS!

By: baranfarhangrocks!

baranfarhangrocks! — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 15:45:22 +0000

Hi, Jessica! I loved your facts about this vegan cane sugar!
I’m not a vegan, but I am pretty disgusted that they use the
cow’s bone char! Blech! I can just be a child, in all, but
I’m pretty smart myself, not to brag or anything. So, um, do
you think these are good for kids, because I am dying to try
sugar canes, they seem quite delightful! Thanks!!!!!!