Drink This Now: Cane ‘N’ Pine at Fresh Cane Juicery

Cane ‘n’ Pine at Fresh Cane Juicery // Photo by Jollene Hastings

One thing to know about about Asian food and drinks: “not too sweet” is the highest praise. 

We don’t like anything that screams sugar, and we always choose refreshing over decadent. It’s no surprise that one popular drink in Asia is sugarcane juice. 

Sugarcane juice comes from crushing peeled sugar cane into a mill machine that extracts the liquid. The juice contains naturally-derived sugars which ensure a non-artificial, not-too-sweet taste. While it is especially popular as a street beverage in Southeast Asia and India, you can also find sugarcane juice in countries like Brazil and Taiwan. It is even considered the national drink of Pakistan. These countries typically have a tropical climate and warm temps, which are sugarcane’s native conditions. Appropriately so, sugarcane juice is extremely hydrating.

Sugarcane juice has made its way to the Kansas City Metro via Fresh Cane Juicery in Oak Park Mall. Located on the lower level across from Dillard’s North and adjacent to the carousel, you will find their bright and inviting stand-alone shop. 

Fresh Cane Juicery is a healthy juice bar that offers a selection of freshly squeezed juices. This new addition to Oak Park Mall opened in June of 2023. The main star is sugarcane, with six sugarcane juice specials on the menu. All of those drinks are vegan and contain no added sugars. 

The Cane ‘N’ Pine option is a combination of sugarcane juice and fresh, pineapple juice. It is refreshing and light, with a hint of earthiness in the all-natural taste. The fragrant and slightly tart pineapple adds to the mildly smoky-sweet flavor of the sugarcane juice. Together, you get this very hydrating and subtle drink. 

Fresh Cane Juicery also offers sugarcane juice with lemon and/or ginger. Seasonally, they offer mango, strawberry, orange, and coconut water options. Look for these in the summer months.

The reason sugarcane juice is considered hydrating is because it contains cooling and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent overheating. It is also rich in vitamins like vitamin B- complex, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The juice is low in fat and cholesterol. Sugarcane juice contains antioxidants that promote healthier skin, along with kidney and liver health.

So what is sugarcane? Is it like bamboo? While the two plants are often compared to each other, sugarcane and bamboo are pretty different. Sugarcane stems are solid and have a high water content, while bamboo stems are hollow and flexible. Sugarcane is not nearly as strong and durable as bamboo–bamboo can even be used as a building material. Cane sugar, derived from the sugarcane, accounts for 79% of the sugar produced globally. Whereas table sugar is white in color, cane sugar has a light, brownish-yellow color and is naturally derived instead of processed.

Fresh Cane Juicery also offers smoothies and parfaits that are not too sweet. Everything is made to order with fresh ingredients that promote a healthier lifestyle.

Fresh Cane Juicery is located at 11265 W 95th St. Overland Park, KS 66214.