What is Sugar Cane Honey? The Complete Guide to Miel de Caña

January 11, 2026 •

3 min read

Unlike the product created by bees, authentic sugar cane honey, or Miel de Caña, is a natural sweetener that comes directly from the sugarcane plant. It is created by boiling and concentrating pure sugarcane juice into a thick, golden syrup. This unique, plant-based alternative boasts a distinct caramel-like flavor, setting it apart from traditional honey.

Quick Summary

Sugarcane honey, known as Miel de Caña, is a vegan sweetener made by boiling and concentrating the juice of sugarcane. It is a thick, caramel-flavored syrup used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Key Points

Vegan-Friendly Alternative: Sugar cane honey, also known as Miel de Caña, is a natural sweetener made from sugarcane juice, containing no bee products.
Rich Caramel Flavor: Its flavor is distinct from bee honey, offering deep caramel notes with a potential hint of bitterness, making it versatile for both sweet and savory dishes.
Simple Production: The syrup is made by simply boiling and concentrating the juice extracted from sugarcane stalks, a process that preserves some natural nutrients.
Nutrient-Rich Profile: Unlike highly refined sugar, this syrup retains trace amounts of minerals like iron, calcium, and potassium from the sugarcane plant.
Used in Traditional Cuisine: It is a staple in Spanish cuisine, particularly in Málaga, where it is used to drizzle over fried foods and desserts.
Not Molasses: While a byproduct of sugarcane processing, it differs from molasses; sugar cane honey is the result of the initial juice concentration, while molasses is leftover after sugar crystallization.

What is Sugar Cane Honey? The Origin and Process

Sugar cane honey, also called Miel de Caña, is a natural sweetener made from concentrated sugarcane juice. It's distinct from bee honey as it involves no insects, making it a vegan option. This thick, often dark amber syrup has a unique flavor profile. Historically, it has been produced in regions like Andalusia, Spain, for centuries.

The Production Process of Miel de Caña

The process of making sugar cane honey is relatively simple:

Sugarcane stalks are harvested and crushed to extract the raw juice.
The juice is heated and filtered to remove impurities.
The clarified juice is then boiled to evaporate water and concentrate the natural sugars into a syrup. The boiling duration affects the final product's color, flavor, and consistency.
Finally, the syrup is cooled and bottled.

This method results in a pure, natural sweetener from the sugarcane plant.

Flavor Profile and Culinary Applications

Sugar cane honey has a rich, caramel-like sweetness, often with a slight bitterness or licorice note, which differs from traditional honey. This makes it versatile in cooking.

How to use sugar cane honey in your cooking:

Drizzled over breakfast foods like pancakes or yogurt.
As a substitute for other liquid sweeteners in baking.
In marinades and glazes for meats and vegetables.
Mixed into salad dressings.
Traditionally served with fresh goat cheese or drizzled over fried eggplant in Málaga.

Sugar Cane Honey vs. Molasses vs. Bee Honey: A Comparison

These three sweeteners have key differences in origin, production, and flavor.


Feature	Sugar Cane Honey (Miel de Caña)	Molasses	Bee Honey
Origin	Concentrated sugarcane juice.	Byproduct of sugar refining.	Nectar from flowers collected by bees.
Production	Single concentration of juice.	Multiple boilings during sugar extraction.	Bees process collected nectar.
Flavor	Caramel-like, slightly bitter.	Varies, often robust and bitter.	Varies, often floral or fruity.
Vegan	Yes.	Can be, but check processing.	No.
Key Minerals	Iron, calcium, potassium.	Higher concentration of various minerals.	Trace amounts of minerals.
Primary Sugars	Sucrose.	Sucrose and others.	Fructose and glucose.

Health Profile: Is it a Healthy Sweetener?

Sugar cane honey is primarily sugar and should be consumed in moderation. However, being less refined than white sugar, it retains trace minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamins. It also contains antioxidants. Its main sugar is sucrose, similar to table sugar, and can affect blood glucose levels. The benefit over highly processed sugars lies in these preserved nutrients. Resources like the Sweet Melao blog offer more details on its nutritional profile.

Conclusion: A Distinct Sweetener with a Rich History

Sugar cane honey (Miel de Caña) is a unique, plant-based sweetener with a rich history and distinct caramel flavor. It offers a versatile alternative to bee honey and molasses and is used in both sweet and savory dishes. While it should be consumed in moderation like any sugar, its less-processed nature and mineral content provide some nutritional value. Its unique taste connects to the raw sweetness of sugarcane.

Where to Buy Sugar Cane Honey

Look for sugar cane honey in specialty grocery stores, especially those carrying international or Spanish foods. It is also widely available from online retailers. When buying, check labels to ensure it's pure concentrated sugarcane juice without additives.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, they are completely different. Sugar cane honey is a plant-based syrup made from concentrated sugarcane juice, while bee honey is produced by bees from flower nectar.

Yes, since it is made directly from the sugarcane plant and does not involve bees or any animal products, it is a suitable vegan sweetener.

Sugar cane honey has a caramel-rich, sweet flavor that can be slightly bitter. While molasses also has a deep, sugary flavor, it is a byproduct of sugar refining and can be more intensely bitter, especially blackstrap molasses.

It is used in both sweet and savory recipes. Common uses include drizzling over pancakes or desserts, incorporating into marinades, and adding to sauces and dressings.

While it is primarily a sugar and should be consumed in moderation, it is less processed than white sugar and retains trace amounts of minerals like calcium, iron, and potassium, as well as some antioxidants.

Yes, you can, but be aware of the difference in flavor. Sugar cane honey has a more robust, caramel taste compared to the floral notes of bee honey, which will alter the final dish's flavor profile.

It is available at some specialty grocery stores and is widely sold online. You can often find it labeled as Miel de Caña.