Disclaimer: Some of the links you will find below are affiliate links, meaning that at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
We have been striving in our household to avoid GMOs when we can.
One of the problems has been sugar. I have found some non-GMO alternatives. However the cost has been so high that I really couldn’t call them affordable. I have been hoping to find a sugar that is closer in price to the traditional white granulated sugar I have been buying for years, which is all likelihood contains GM0s since about 95% of the sugar beets now grown in the United States are genetically modified.
I did not expect to find what I was looking for at Walmart, who typically does not have what I am looking for.
Affordable Non-GMO Sugar
A couple weeks ago I was in our local Walmart to pick up something (can’t remember what anymore) and was just pursuing the sugar section to see if they had any non-GMO options. I wasn’t expecting to find anything.
However I spotted a shelf containing 2 lb bags of Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar. Check the packaging, confirmed non-GMO by the Non-GMO Project. The price for the 2 lb bag was $1.29! They also offered 4 lb bags for $2.59 but those were all gone at the time.
What is Morena Pure Cane Sugar
The term “Morena” refers to the light golden color of the sugar. It’s a term used in Mexico where the sugar is cultivated. Morena Pure Cane Sugar differs from granluated white sugar in several ways.
1. It is not processed to remove color like white sugar. The sugar is naturally golden brown – not white. Morena is never refined.
2. Morena is processed minimally. You lose less of the flavor and nutrients of the sugar cane. This sugar actually tastes like something more than just sweet. Just a little hint of a caramel like flavor on the tongue.
3. Morena sugar has larger crystals than white sugar. If that is a problem for you, you could always break it up in your food processor.
How is Morena Pure Cane Sugar Made?
The easy way to describe it is the sugar cane is pressed into juice. Then the liquid from the juice is evaported in a vaccum until you have dried sugar crystals. No refining takes place after that.
Can I Use Morena Pure Cane Sugar in Replace of White Sugar?
Not only can you, but you really should try to. The taste is better, it is less refined, your getting more of the natural nutrients of the sugar cane plant, and you can use it in any white sugar recipe, cup for cup. You don’t have to change any measurements.
Where to Buy Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar
Buy Zulka Morena Pure Cane Sugar and have it shipped to the comfort of your own home. You can also try out their brown sugar as well.
I said early I purchased mine at Walmart. Here are other retailers that you may find it at (if you know a store not on this list leave a comment to let me know):
Walmart
Meijer
Safeway
Kroger
Albertsons
Food 4 Less
SUPERVALU
Superior
El Super
WinCo
I’m a newbie at this non-refined sugar thing and recently I bought the “Sugar in the Raw” brand. Unfortunately, I’ve been too scared to try it in baking because I’ve read the sugar crystals don’t melt correctly and the end product isn’t good. If you don’t mind I have a few questions…
Is this product the same as the “Sugar in the Raw” brand?
If I do break down the crystals in either brand with my food processor, would I still use cup for cup?
Thanks in advance,
Laura
Sugar in the Raw is a brand name for turbinado sugar, which is very similar to demera sugar. Both of these sugars are good in teas, coffee, and I like them on top of baked goods to add a bite of crunch. Morena Pure Cane Sugar is not this type of sugar. It’s a little finer than turbinado. It’s a lot closer to white sugar than turbinado is.
I did say you can make the Morena sugar finer in a food processor if you like but it’s not necessarily. It’s worked fine for me so far in things like pancakes.
Thank you! 🙂
I love this sugar, I bought it once when it was on sale not knowing much about it and I have been hooked ever since. If you try this and then try regular sugar, regular white sugar just doesn’t taste good anymore. I like that this is also very affordable and really doesn’t cost any more than store brand white sugar especially with coupons.
Thanks for helping spread the word!
Which Walmart do you recall? I know this was a long time ago but may be worth checking out again? I’m in the A2 area as well.
I have seen it at both the Walmart near Saline on State St. and the one in Ypsi on Ellsworth.
Aldi stores now carry Zulka Morena pure cane sugar.
Really, I did not know that. Thanks for sharing!
I purchased it at Aldi’s in Spring, Texas.
I would buy it at Walmart but now they do not carried that brand. I really like it. I am writing from Rochester, NY
My Walmart stopped carrying it too. My local Kroger store carries it.
Using for about four months and its does great in desserts I think it a bit sweeter great and makes great cheese cakes.Try it J
I found it st Sam’s Club.
Thank you for your review [3-2013] . I have been using Zulka for over a year and no longer use any processed white sugar or HFCS if possible to avoid. Like you, I found and tried it on a curiosity basis after seeing it only in the Spanish food section of a Walmart. I also use Walmart.com but Zulka is poorly packaged for shipping delivery by uncaring warehouse packers…another story. While researching some non gmo foods I came across your comments. I have even bought bags for friends to try and a number of them now prefer it as well. Naturally the price has fluctuated– last purchase [2-2016] was $4.98 for 8 pounds– a better buy than the 2 / 4 pounder bags.[ walmart.com always seems to have it available]. I bake a lot and find it works well if allowed to break down to absorb moisture before baking, It adds great extra crunch as a dessert topping or to sprinkle on fruit , cookies, cereal or anything you like. I like it and hope others see your review and give it a try! Thanks again Eric! How are the ducks? Our community outlawed them as they gossip a lot.
Love this sugar! I switched over to it about a half a year, year ago because I switched to a vegan diet for the animals. I always do a ton of baking, and I found this at Aldi (discount grocer). It is relatively affordable for the quantity. It makes me feel better knowing my sugar is not filtered with animal bone char and processed/refined a whole lot. There is virtually no difference in baked goods, coffee, milkshakes that you use it in. I also haven’t ran into any problems with the sugar crystals themselves being too big; they are a little bit bigger than normal white granulated but it does not make any difference in food I use it in. Hope this helps (:
~ Safina
Didn’t know Aldi carried it. That’s good to hear. We pretty much only use that sugar in our household too, unless I really need sugar and am at a store that doesn’t sell it.
I found Zulka morena pure cane sugar at dollar tree today in Wylie, TX of course for $1.00
Wow. I didn’t know they carried it. What a find at Dollar Tree!!!!
In TX, HEB carries it as well as Michoacana Markets everywhere that’s an urban center like in San Antonio. I’ve found that the 4lb bags are more likely to be found than any others. Just my view.
This sugar, I’ve found, works well if you add it to the dry ingredients before the wet, unless you’re making cakes and cookies. In which case you’re better off doing a LONG creaming cycle or if you’re making cookies, let the sugar sit with the butter or other wet ings for a good while before mixing with the dry ings.
Whatever you have to do to add this sugar into your baking, do it. Your tastebuds and your family’s will LOVE you for it!!
Thanks for the info. It is pretty much the only sugar I use now.