It has been suggested that this article be merged with Garapa. (Discuss) Proposed since August 2012.

Sugarcane juice

Sugarcane juice is the juice extracted from pressed sugarcane. It is consumed as a beverage worldwide, and especially in regions where sugarcane is commercially grown such as Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Brazil.

Evaporated cane juice is a loosely defined term which can include combinations of sugars including glucose, and fructose. It is less processed than bleached white sugar.^[1] Nutritional benefits are minimal; evaporated cane juice contains trace minerals and vitamins but has the same amount of calories as table sugar^[2] and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration defines evaporated cane juice as any sweetener derived from sugar cane syrup.^[3]

Regions [edit]

India [edit]

Sugarcane juice vendor in Hyderabad, India

This is a popular drink in India especially in states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. It is known as "Oosacha Ras" or "Ganneka Ras" in Maharashtra in Marathi and Hindi accordingly ('Ras' translates to 'juice', whereas the former in both terms, 'Oos' and 'Ganna' translate to 'Sugar cane'. It is called Roh in eastern Punjab. People usually like this drink in the summer months. Some other additives are added to the fresh juice like lemon,ginger, mint, and ice. "Oosacha Ras" vendors are commonplace all year round in the city of Mumbai, Maharashtra^{[citation needed]}. People also can find this drink along the roadsides in Punjab from mid March to the last of October. Most of the vendors do prepare fresh juice quickly on demand. Sugar is valued highly by common people.

Sugarcane juice vendors in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Pakistan [edit]

Sugar cane juice is the national drink of Pakistan, where it is called Roh and more commonly referred to as "gunney ka rus". It is sold by roadside vendors, where the juice is squeezed fresh when ordered. It is sold in glasses with or without ice.Very often a hint of ginger and lemon is also added, along with optional salt or pepper.

Hong Kong [edit]

Street vendors began offering sugar cane juice in Hong Kong in the 1970s^{[citation needed]}. Its popularity led to bottled sugar cane beverages being sold in supermarkets like PARKnSHOP.

East Africa: Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar [edit]

In Zanzibar street vendors crush sugar cane with small amounts of fresh ginger.

Vietnam [edit]

Sugar cane juice, called nước mía, is very popular in Vietnam as a refreshing drink in the hot Vietnamese climate. Kumquat juice, a citrus, is often added to balance the sweetness.^[4] It is available at numerous small street stalls, and is often sold alongside other popular Asian beverages. It was common for sugar cane juice to be sold in small plastic bags filled with ice, with the open end attached around a drinking straw by a rubber band. It is now more commonly sold in disposable plastic cups.^[5]

Brazil [edit]

In Brazil, sugar cane juice is called caldo de cana or garapa. It's consumed fresh squeezed with ice cubes.^[6] Sometimes it can be combined with lime or pineapple juice.

Egypt [edit]

In Egypt, sugar cane juice is called aseer asab (Egyptian Arabic: [ʕɑˈsˤiːr ˈʔɑsˤɑb] عصير قصب) and is by far the most popular drink served by almost all fruit juice vendors, who can be found abundantly in most cities. It is a very refreshing midday summer drink.

Cambodia [edit]

In Cambodia, it is very popular in the summer.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore [edit]

In Indonesia and in Malaysia also, sugar cane juice is called air tebu. In Bahasa Melayu, "tebu" is sugar cane and "air" is water. It is sold throughout the nation especially among street vendors. It is also bottled for local distribution in some regions and sold at food courts daily. In Singapore, food courts also sell sugar cane juice but not on streets. Both countries use electronic pressers as it is easier and faster. The Chinese community in three countries also prefers to call sugar cane juice "Gam Jia Zui" which means "Sugar Cane Water" in the Chinese dialect of Hokkien.

Gallery [edit]

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  Sugar Cane for sale on a footpath in Kolkata, India

References [edit]

• http://www.bluebytes.info/newscheck/DetailedNews.aspx?id=212117