How to sweeten coffee

For every person who opposes sweetening coffee, there is someone who enjoys a sweet cup. How can you sweeten coffee while keeping an eye on health and calories? Is brown sugar a good alternative to white sugar? How do you choose a sweetener? And is fructose or stevia worth trying?

Coffee purists argue that adding sugar changes the flavour and interferes with the natural taste and distinctive aroma. Those who prefer sweet coffee find an unsweetened brew too bitter to appreciate fully. For them, coffee should be strong, hot and sweet.

Taste is important, but the calories in sugar also matter, especially when managing weight. Plain black coffee contains very few calories. Sugar adds calories with little nutritional value; milk, cream, chocolate, sweet additions and whipped cream can increase the total considerably. And many of us drink more than one cup a day.

What can you use instead of white sugar?

If you cannot imagine drinking unsweetened coffee, there are several alternatives. Here are some facts and common misconceptions about them.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar differs little from white sugar nutritionally. Its brown colour comes from molasses. Cane sugar comes from sugar cane rather than sugar beet, but its calorie content is similar. The idea that brown sugar is a low-calorie option is a myth.

Sweeteners

One group includes sweeteners such as aspartame, saccharin and acesulfame K. These provide sweetness with practically no calories in the amounts normally used and do not promote tooth decay in the same way as sugar. They may be useful when reducing sugar intake, although some people notice a different aftertaste.

Another group consists of sugar alcohols such as mannitol, xylitol and sorbitol. Their taste can resemble ordinary sugar, and they generally provide fewer calories, although the amount varies by ingredient. Choosing a sweetener depends on personal preferences and dietary needs.

Fructose

Fructose is a simple sugar that occurs naturally in fruit. It has a lower glycaemic index than ordinary sugar, but this does not make it calorie-free or mean that it has no effect on health. It contains a similar number of calories to white sugar and tastes sweeter, so a smaller quantity may be sufficient. Excessive added fructose can contribute to excess calorie intake; replacing all white sugar with fructose is not a shortcut to a healthier diet.

Stevia

Stevia sweeteners are derived from a South American plant and are sold as liquids, powders and tablets. Concentrated steviol glycosides are many times sweeter than sugar, so only a small amount is needed. The exact dose depends on the product: follow its instructions rather than assuming every drop has the same strength.

Coffee syrups

Coffee syrups add sweetness and, in flavoured versions, a new aroma. A small amount can change the character of a cup. They are particularly convenient in cold coffee drinks, where granulated sugar dissolves less readily. Remember that ordinary sugar-based syrups still add sugar and calories.