A self sufficiency goal achieved....

[British Red]

Now then young Jimmy Doherty reckoned he couldn't make white sugar in his barn its too complicated!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/how-sugar-is-refined/9210.html

Well, now, truly white sugar probably is, but after much head scratching and experimentation, it may not be possible to make white sugar, but a light tasty demerara sugar can be done.


Home grown, home refined sugar by British Red, on Flickr

Not only can it be done, but it could be done off grid and using only materials sourced on the homestead.

This particular challenge has been driving me nuts for a long time - and has been the source of multiple failed experiments. I feel a victory "dad dance" coming on

 

[Shewie]

Waiting for the tutorial ...

 

[British Red]

I can do one but I suspect it would be pretty dull - and not something most people would want to try. Fascinating fun though - seven months to go from this


Sugar Beet by British Red, on Flickr

to this


Home grown, home refined sugar by British Red, on Flickr

I really need to get out more!

 

[Shewie]

Just curious how you get from the mashed pulp to something "you can put in your tea" as he says

 

[British Red]

first build your CO2 generator........

 

[Shewie]

Sounds messy

 

[British Red]

Ahh well it has to be done in a self sufficent way you see (because I'm nuts). It can be done though. I'll whack together a tutorial at some point - I have the photos. Just trying to cope with restoring another barn (rendering, fixing the sagging walls and replacing rotten doors and frames) whilst coping with a destroyed back at the moment

Ahh the good life is such a rest cure

 

[RonW]

Great work, Red!
Just make sure you don't go overboard. I'll ne making my first steps into the homesteading world shortly, since I now have a place to do it. I'll be checking your progress on several processes.
At least I will be having my own well, so that's a start...

 

[slowworm]

I'd also be interested to see how it's done. Can you refine the juice easily to such a state that you could use it in wine making?

 

[hog]

 

[ex-member Raikey]

Yawn

I refuse to be impressed until the bananas are ready for harvesting.

:You_Rock_

 

[sandbender]

"...Home grown, home refined sugar by British Red, on Flickr..."

Fantastic!

Presumably if unused and stored properly the sugar will keep pretty much forever?

 

[Mesquite]

Nice result Hugh...

And as Shewie said... waiting for the tutorial and pics

 

[Toddy]

Result !

Hope the back heals asap, though.

cheers,
M

 

[British Red]

Fantastic!

Presumably if unused and stored properly the sugar will keep pretty much forever?

Yep, sugar is a natural preservative - hence its presence in jam, chutneys and sauces. It preserves the food as well as itself.

I'll do a write up at some point.

[I'd also be interested to see how it's done. Can you refine the juice easily to such a state that you could use it in wine making?

Absolutely you can - of course pressed grape requires no sugar, but for "country wines" such as my elderberry port, my intention would be to absolutely use our own sugar.

 

[redandshane]

Nice one
I like the idea of then using that sugar in other produce you make
You will be growing Tea and Coffee next
Your having a lot of fun and keeping busy being "mad" aren't you?
I too would be interested in the process just out of interest not with the intention of doing it for real

 

[British Red]

I'm struggling with the coffee plant to be honest - just not hot enough here. I am tempted to try tea though....it suits our climate well

 

[HillBill]

Nice one Hugh.

 

[bilmo-p5]

10/10 for the sugar, Red.

I'm struggling with the coffee plant to be honest - just not hot enough here.

Pineapple pit, perhaps?

 

[Big Si]

I'm going to have a go at hot beding this Jan so I can get some veg early, if so as Ian says coffee may be possible. Do you have access to lots of frsh horse dung?

Si