My diet:

Demerara sugar

No E-numberSweetenersOrigin: Plant
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Every diet

VeganDepends

Demerara is cane sugar and may be filtered through bone char, depending on the refinery.

Gluten-freeYes
HalalDepends

Bone-char filtration is the halal question for this cane sugar.

KosherYes
KetoNo

Demerara sugar is sucrose.

Low-FODMAPYes
The short answer
Demerara sugar is coarse cane sugar with a light molasses coat. It is not keto. It is not a low-calorie brown sugar. Bakers use it when they want a crunchy top.
Use in moderation

Safe in small amounts; may bother some people or raise blood sugar.

E-numberNone
Comes fromPlant
What it doesSweeteners
Glycemic index65
Daily limitNot set
Also calledDemerara sugar, Demerara cane sugar

Rules by country

🇺🇸 US FDANot evaluated as an additive
🇪🇺 European UnionNot evaluated as an additive
🇨🇦 Health CanadaNot evaluated as an additive
CaliforniaNo extra rules

Demerara sugar is a sugar food, not an E-number. It is sucrose. The vegan and halal questions are the bone-char questions of other cane sugars, and they depend on the refinery.

Daily limit: Experts haven’t set a number because normal food amounts are far below any level of concern.

What is it?

The crystals are larger than turbinado and drier than moist brown sugar. In tea they dissolve slowly. In a creme brûlée they melt into a lid. The sweetness is ordinary sugar.

Where it comes from: Demerara sugar is a cane sugar with larger, drier crystals and a pale molasses coating. It is named for the Demerara region of Guyana. A lot of what is sold under the name today is cane sugar crystallized to that style.

Why it’s in food

  • Crusts a brûlée
  • Sweetens tea
  • Tops a crumble
  • Crunches on shortbread

Often found in

TeaCrème brûléeCrumble toppingCoffeeCookiesPorridge

Also listed as: Demerara sugar, Demerara cane sugar

Health & gut impact

A style of sucroseConcern

Large crystals do not lower the sugar dose. A teaspoon of demerara and a teaspoon of white sugar carry the same sucrose.

Composition of demerara-style cane sugar

Origin versus styleUnder study

The historic sugar came from Demerara. The word on a modern bag often means the crystal style, not a shipment from Guyana.

Naming of demerara sugar

What can I use instead?

Turbinado sugar

Ratio: A slightly finer steam-washed cane sugar

Best for: Coffee

Brown sugar

Ratio: A moister sugar when the recipe needs molasses

Best for: Cookies

Related

More sweeteners:

Acesulfame Potassium (Ace-K) E950Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K, E950) is a zero-calorie sweetener approved in the US, EU and Canada. EFSA re-checked it in 2025 and raised its daily limit. It's usually paired with sucralose or aspartame to hide a slightly bitter aftertaste.Use in moderationAdvantame E969Advantame (E969) is an extremely intense sweetener related to aspartame. Regulators approve it, and the amount in a food is tiny next to the daily limit. It does not carry aspartame's phenylalanine warning at normal use.Generally safeAgave syrup (Agave nectar)Agave syrup is a plant sweetener that is mostly fructose. It barely moves blood sugar, and it is still sugar: skip it on keto and in a low-FODMAP elimination.Use in moderationAlluloseAllulose is a "rare sugar" that tastes like sugar but has almost no calories and doesn't raise blood sugar. It's keto-friendly and browns like real sugar in baking.Generally safe

Common questions

Is demerara the same as turbinado?

They are close. Demerara crystals are usually larger and a bit darker. Both are cane sugar with a little molasses.

Does demerara have less sugar?

No. It is sugar in a bigger crystal.

Is Demerara sugar safe?

Use in moderation (63/100). Demerara sugar is a sugar food, not an E-number. It is sucrose. The vegan and halal questions are the bone-char questions of other cane sugars, and they depend on the refinery.

Is Demerara sugar vegan?

Depends. Demerara is cane sugar and may be filtered through bone char, depending on the refinery.

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Scientific sources & regulatory citations
  • Composition of demerara-style cane sugar
  • Naming of demerara sugar