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In order to be evaporated it has to be heated.
I saw a raw chef here in DC make cane juice. He had a special juicer for sugar cane. He just ran the cane thru the juicer--the cane is smashed and the juice is extruded. No heat involved whatsoever.
I'd agree that cane sugar is not raw, because it has to be heated.
Generally cane sugar(even organic) isn't raw, they boil at high temps it to evaporate the water and separate the molasses from the sugar, but I know that in Italy there are brands of raw cane sugar, that its only evaporated with the sun and most of the molasses remain in the sugar(I checked it with the manufacturer that's its only sun dried) , it also looks completely different from "normal sugar", its more like little dark brown round balls rather then sugar "crystals", though in Israel we don't have those at all, maybe you also have it where you live.
You should try stevia instead of sugar :)
http://www.healthyfoodrawdiet.com
Unless the stevia is green (powdered herb) then it is processed! Most stevia these days is *white* (or a clear liquid); They are a processed extract.
Edit: A couple decades back, I used to use the green powdered herb stevia, and it was not bitter at all like the new white stuff out now.
I wonder if the heat/evaporation changes the chemical makeup of the sugar. I also wonder if sun dried cane has the same chemical makeup or something more easily digestible. Thanks for the responses, I have something to think about now.. :)
Misty
pixx- where do you get stevia that is still green? I've never seen it before.
You can grow your own stevia plants. Google and check it out.
I ordered a stevia plant last spring from the Burgess Seed & Plant Company. They called it a Sweet Leaf plant. I'd like to tell you more but it died during the summer. :(
Here's the link...
http://www.eburgess.com/detail.asp?pid=1540
FYI - they mail dormant plants so don't expect to get a leafy green one you can harvest from immediately, but at least the price is right!
LaEnsalada~ Look for any place that sells loose leaf medicinal herbs. (What I used was dried and ground, much like spices for the kitchen.) I used to make my own herbal tea mixes, and would buy all sorts of herbs for that; stevia was often added in my mixes. But, gee was that in my 20's; a couple decades ago. I wouldn't know any company names today. But what I did use was mail order- so I am sure you can find a reputable company online.
EDIT: This is what *real* stevia looks like (well, short of still being a live plant, of course!):
http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/stevia-leaf/
It's available powdered more fine than that pic, too. I used to use both (both cut and sifted as well as powdered).
Edit #2: ahh, here is the powder:
http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/organic-stevia-leaf_powder-4-oz.html
I have the refined, white version of stevia and I know what you're talking about, it really does have a bitter aftertaste. Thanks for the info pixx!
You're quite welcome! :~)