Enjoying a fine beverage should never be about sweetness. The challenge is to use sweet notes to compliment fresh flavors but not to over power them. If you taste sweet first , the drink is poorly balanced.
For a clean, light sweetness that is complimentary and rinses easily from the palate, pure cane sugar is best. Cane
sugar vs Beet sugar grows above the ground and receives direct sunlight
for nourishment as opposed to beet sugar which grows below the ground.
Metabolically, sugars (HFCS- high fructose corn syrup, granulated
sugar, agave) are similar and eventually they all break down into
glucose and fructose so taste and rinseability are paramount here. Corn syrups do not have the best flavor and Agave is overly sweet and tends to linger more in the palate.
Stevia, a sugar substitute, is extremely sweet – masks desirable flavors an leaves an undesirable aftertaste so not the best from a culinary perspective but serves a purpose for diabetics.
It is unfortunate that consumers have been conditioned to
accept excessive amounts of sugar in their sodas with traditional soft
drinks utilizing 8-9 teaspoons or 32-36 grams per 12 oz bottle ,
resulting in 120-135 calories per serving. Wow – no surprise the media and health authorities are giving this so much attention.
Thankfully,
as soda culture evolves and responds to new consumer and industry
demands there will be healthier, less sweet and lower calorie offerings. “ Less is more” when it comes to sodas………so read those labels and enjoy a new soda experience!
