Probably when you think of vegan products, those that do not come from animals come to mind. However, you must take into account another factor: that nothing of animal origin intervenes in its elaboration process. For example, we could say that sugar is vegan because it comes from nature. However, this opens an interesting debate. Then animal bone charcoal is used in its refinement. You did not know? Now we tell you everything.
From plant to sugar as we know it
sugar is sucrose. That is, a disaccharide sugar composed of glucose and fructose that is found in many plants. Being sugar cane and sugar beet are dominant of the world sweet market. Well, they have higher levels of sucrose within their components. However, depending on its origin, it becomes the sugar that we use in one way or another. That is, if we get the saccharose for the beet we just need to perform a process. They are cut into slices and squeezed to obtain their juice.
Once its raw juice is obtained, it is purified into a syrup called beet molasses and boiled. Once boiled, sucrose crystallized and centrifuged. In order to separate the sugar from the liquid. In this way we would already have our sweetener. Whereas if it comes from the sugar cane this processing it gets complicated. When the cane stems are already mature and heavy (they obtain a good level of sucrose), they are sent to a sugar mill. Over there crushed and pressed to harvest sugarcane molasses, a dark, viscous sweetener.
As with the beet, at this time it is centrifuged, managing to separate the liquid and promoting crystallization. Finally it is transported to a refinery. Place where it is filtered with a charcoal made from the bones of slaughtered cows and pigs. This act serves to whiten the crystals and remove traces of molasses. As well as other remaining impurities.
So sugar is not vegan?
El sugar es Vegan depending on your processing way. All beet sugar is 100%. Because in its collection and processing it does not go through a refining process. Besides, we will also find organic sugars, always certified by the USDA (Information and Services of the United States Department of Agriculture). This organization is in charge of verifying that any charcoal used in the processing is of vegetable origin.
Therefore it can be ensured that any white beet or organic sugar totally Vegan. Referring again to the origin of sugar, if they come from fruits or vegetables too they can be vegan. Especially if we refer to the coconut or date sugar. Since they do not need refinement and avoid contact with elements of animal origin. Just like the raw or unrefined brown sugars. They are not processed, it is better to stay away from these if you are vegan.
In any case, technological innovations have provided us with new alternatives. Now cane sugar can also be refined using ion exchange resins. Of course, cruelty free and without activated carbon of animal origin. In this case, it is replaced by a vegetable one. Thus allowing its consumption to those who have decided to eliminate animal meat from their diets. Currently there is too much information on these topics, but we always recommend you Pay close attention to the information added to the packaging or label!
vegan sugar
Aside from beet sugar, organic, and raw or unrefined brown sugar, you have many more vegan sugar options. You can find these in almost every store. So when you visit them do not forget to take a look at the following list:
- Anthony's Belgian Pearl Sugar
- Date Lady Granular Date Sugar
- Nutiva Nurutre Vitality, raw coconut sugar
- sing pure
- Raw White Organic Sugar
- healthy organic sugar dark brown
We have been surprised to learn the information that not all sugar is vegan, what about you? That is why we will be very careful when choosing which package we take home. Anyway, The best way to discern its origin and refinement process is to read the label.. If it's not listed as a vegan ingredient, it probably isn't. Although, his contact with the animal world is not specified.
