Experts

Sugar Usage Sees Strong Demand
After years of getting a bad rap, sugar usage – and demand – are on the rebound. Andy Briscoe, President & CEO of the Sugar Association, shares his thoughts on the resurgence of sugar.
Analysis of World Sugar Futures
World sugar futures turned in a mixed session: March posted a higher low and higher high en route to a 47 higher settlement, but the futures failed upon approaching the 40-day moving average (27.42 last night, 27.51 tonight) and shed 20 points after the official settlement.

February 2010 WASDE Report
The USDA released updated supply and demand data for the US and Mexican sugar complex this morning, decreasing the 2009-10 US ending stocks/use ratio from 10.8 % to 10.0 %. The report saw several adjustments which netted an 85,000 ton reduction in the 2009-10 supply. Once again, no changes were made to the demand side of the ledger.

Frank Jenkins on USDA WASDE Report
No changes were made to the 2008-09 ledger, leaving the ending stocks/use ratio at 13.5 %. For the 2009-10 year, the main event was a 150,000 ton increase in the estimate of Louisiana production to 1.450 million tons. While the harvest was muddy and generally challenging, yields had been good.

High Altitude Baking Tips from Chef Eddy
About one hundred million Americans – a third of the US population – live 3,000 feet above sea level and consequently bake in high altitude. Baking in these atmospheric conditions require adjustments made to recipes. For starters, in high altitude, the air pressure is lower than at sea level.

Report: Brazilian Sugar Shipments
Brazil shipped a total of 1,934,572 tonnes of sugar (1.61 million raw/322,800 whites) in November from both the center-south and the north- east. This compares with 2,259,197 tonnes shipped in October and 1,745,186 tonnes shipped in November of last year, reports Jenkins Sugar Group.

Chef Eddy’s Nougatine Slivers
Nougat is a term used to describe a variety of delectable, traditional confectioneries made with sugar or honey, a wide variety of roasted nuts (except for peanuts), and sometimes chopped candied fruit. Almond nougatine slivers, dipped in a premium chocolate, fall into this category.

Chef Eddy’s Chocolate Crème Brûlée
By Chef Eddy Van Damme – When it comes to making the very best desserts from just a few ingredients, quality counts. Lesser quality ingredients may save a few pennies, but your palate will pay the price. Take my chocolate crème brûlée recipe, for example.

Expert Perspective on WASDE Report
About the USDA’s September 2009 WASDE (World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates) report, noted sugar industry analyst Frank Jenkins of The Jenkins Sugar Group writes that sugar production will decrease by an estimated 250,000 tons, while imports are expected to rise by an estimated 330,000 tons.

Frank Jenkins: Mexico Sugar Outlook
Noted sugar industry analyst Frank Jenkins of The Jenkins Sugar Group writes: In recent weeks, Mexico has announced a series of import tenders totaling 600,000 tons. The first of these tenders was held on September 2nd, when Mexico purchased 100,000 tons from an array of counterparties.

Frank Jenkins: Sugar Prices Now Linked
The rally in world sugar prices has now linked world and US raw sugar prices, reports Frank Jenkins of The Jenkins Sugar Group.

Domestic Sugar Harvest Expected to Increase
Assembled by USDA economists and market analysts, the latest WASDE report – World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimate – estimates that domestic sugar supply for the 2008/9 crop year ending September 30th will be 250,000 tons larger than previously estimated.

Jenkins: August WASDE Fairly Remarkable
The USDA August WASDE report is fairly remarkable, reports Jenkins Sugar Group: the 300,000 ton increase in beet production from the new crop represents nearly a 6.5% increase in the crop over last month’s estimate.

Baking With “The Prince of Pastry”
Rita Alarcon, a self-described avid food network fan, knows that persistence – especially when it comes to a chance to meet “The Prince of Pastry” – pays off. Chef Eddy is a world-renown chef and baking author Eddy Van Damme, host of the popular television show, “Bake It.”