Savor This: Sugar Cane
Did you know that St. Croix was considered to be one of the sweetest islands in the Caribbean? Due to the abundance of sugar cane that lined the roadways, sugar was king on the island during the 18th century! This month, Virgin Islands Food Tours is paying homage to the sugar cane because, well, it’s still a popular food item here on St. Croix and there’s more to it than meets the eye.
When the sugar cane juice is extracted from the stalk, this thirst quencher is jam packed with an abundance of nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and potassium plus vitamins A, B-complex and C. It is a 100% natural drink with no fats and about 30 grams of natural sugar. It boasts a number of health benefits such as curing acne, natural energy booster, boosts immunity and acts as a digestive tonic, to name a few.
You can also munch on sugar cane stalks as a sweet afternoon snack. Find them sold by the bag at our local farmers markets and roadside vendors. Book a tour with Virgin Islands Food Tours for more culinary secrets of St. Croix!
*Image Courtesy of Jamaica Culinary Tours (http://jamaicaculinarytours.com)