What exactly is Evaporated Cane Juice?

[Elizabeth2008]

Is this just essentially sugar? Is it less refined? What exactly is it? LOL... I feel like it's a marketing gimmick, but obviously it's cane sugar, correct?

[AJP]

It is cane sugar, and if it's light in color, like almost as light as regular white sugar, then yes it is quite refined. It's just missing the final steps that remove the last traces of molasses and bleach it to bright white - still better than fully refined, bleached sugar IMO. If it's dark brown and more like round granules rather than small crystals (dry, not moist like brown sugar), then it could be whole cane sugar, which is unrefined sugar cane juice with just the water removed (this is usually quite a bit more expensive than the more refined versions labeled "evaporated cane juice").

[mamadelbosque]

I think AJP explained it pretty well. I'd just like to add that I use it as my replacement for white sugar generally, and the whole can juice as my replacement for brown sugar. Personally, I think evap cane juice has a slightly grapey taste, as bizzare as that my sound... mmm mmm mmm!!