10 types of sugar: characteristics, information and more

There are several types of sugar and each has its own uses, pros and cons, sugar is known as one of the oldest commodities in the world.

Although it is a common ingredient, mainly used in desserts, there was a time when sugar was so valuable that people started storing it in their “sugar vault”.

It is popularly believed that the use of sugar originated in Polynesia in the form of sugar cane.

From there, it spread to different parts of India. In 510 a. C., the emperor of Darius invaded Persia, today called India, and discovered “the reed that gives honey without bees”.

At that time, the method of making sugar cane was considered top secret, known only to the lucky few.

After being prepared, the final product was exported to several countries with great profits.

Types of Sugar:

granulated sugar

Also known as refined, white or table sugar, granulated sugar is the most common type of sugar in everyday use.

When people talk about “sugar”, this is the type of sugar they are referring to.

In addition, it is produced from beets or sugar cane and is composed of 99.9% pure sucrose.

Sucrose is first refined and then completely processed into tiny crystals.

People use granulated sugar to make tea, coffee and baked goods to make them tastier.

But in addition to balancing the flavor of various foods , granulated sugar is also used to keep baked goods super soft, moist and crispy.

Refined sugar

A common baking ingredient, caster sugar is a white refined sugar popularly used in the UK and Australia.

In stores across the United States, you can find refined sugar under the “superfine sugar” label.

Many confuse refined or castor sugar with icing sugar.

However, the consistency of refined sugar is not like icing sugar; in fact, it’s somewhere between granulated sugar and powdered sugar.

confectionery sugar

Icing sugar is one of the types of sugar that is finely ground into a powder form. Plus, it has the ability to dissolve easily, so it’s ideal for toppings and toppings.

This sugar is also used to decorate cakes and cupcakes by gently sprinkling it over these baked goodies.

pearl sugar

Also called nib sugar, pearl sugar is a finished product of refined white sugar.

This type of sugar is produced by breaking up large blocks of regular sugar and then used for baking purposes, such as sprinkling crushed pearl sugar on top of cakes .

Do this before baking them, and it will add a crunchy flavor to the baked goods. Also, this popular food that makes excessive use of pearl sugar is Belgian liege waffles, a yeast dough packed with crunchy, caramelized pearl sugar.

Note that pearl sugar is naturally very hard and thick, so it doesn’t melt easily, especially at temperatures used for baking.

cane sugar

Cane sugar is produced exclusively from sugarcane and is nominally processed, unlike normal (granulated sugar) which comes from beet or sugarcane.

Comparatively, it’s better and more expensive too.

Because it is minimally processed, sugarcane is able to retain its light brown or blond color and is tastier than granulated sugar.

So if you make two batches of cookies, one with regular sugar and one with cane sugar, you will immediately notice the difference.

You will find that cookies made with cane sugar are browner and more flavorful than cookies made with granulated sugar.

Raw sugar

Demerara sugar is a rather large grain size brown sugar.

Initially, this is one of the types of sugar that was only produced in Demerara, but due to the growing popularity of this colony and its trade with the European world, demerara sugar is commonly produced in countries such as Hawaii, India, and Mexico.

Not to be confused with brown sugar, as demerara sugar does not contain additives like molasses, like brown sugar. Demerara sugar is light brown, minimally refined and produced from the crystallization of sugarcane juice.

turbocharged sugar

Turbined sugar has large golden-brown crystals that are readily available in supermarkets, food stores, and many cafes.

Also, this is one of the type of sugar often referred to as raw sugar, turbinado sugar is naturally grown and has a caramel flavor.

However, the FDA states that turbinado sugar is not raw because raw sugar is never fit for consumption as it contains contaminants such as sand and other impurities.

Therefore, turbinated sugar is mechanically refined, which makes it a type of processed sugar .

muscovado sugar

Muscovado sugar is a deep brown, unrefined cane sugar that contains organic molasses. In addition, it is due to the high molasses content that this type of sugar has a sweet taste and a bitter aftertaste.

Therefore, to lighten the flavor, some companies remove a small amount of the molasses during the sugar processing.

In addition, the molasses present in muscovado offers antioxidants such as gallic acid and polyphenols.

These antioxidants prevent cells from being damaged by scavenging free radicals.

Protection against free radicals lowers consumers’ chances of suffering from diabetes and heart diseases such as heart attack and stroke .

Due to the molasses and antioxidants , muscovado sugar is slightly more nutritious than regular sugar.

light brown sugar

Brown sugar is produced when white sugar is mixed and flavored with molasses.

In light brown sugar , the amount of molasses is less, so it has a light brown color. After refining the white sugar, the sugar is properly mixed with the molasses-based syrup and then recrystallized.

A thin, smooth film of molasses covers the sugar particles and changes their color and overall flavor.

Generally, when a recipe calls for the addition of brown sugar, it refers to light brown sugar .

dark brown sugar

Brown sugar also comes in its darker version, which we all know as dark brown sugar .

When the addition of molasses is greater in the sugar, it takes on a darker brown color.

And this type of sugar is known as brown  or dark sugar .

It is estimated that dark brown sugar contains twice the amount of molasses, so it is browner, moister and heavier than light brown sugar.

The good news is that these two types of sugar can be used interchangeably.

So if that’s the case, the recipe you’re preparing says dark brown sugar , and you don’t have it at home, you can use light brown sugar .

However, when using light brown sugar , your dish may not achieve the same color or flavor that it could with the help of dark brown sugar.