What is brown sugar?
In the US, this is just refined sugar with some molasses added back in. The US food law says that only refined sugar (no raw components) can be sold with this name. This law may actually have more to do with enforcing a similar taste for both sugar beets and sugar cane, since the beets, when unrefined, have a poorer taste than cane sugar. Another type of brown sugar is called “Piloncillo,” a Mexican brown sugar which is semi-refined granulated sugar.
Brown sugar gets its distinctive color and flavor from the presence of molasses. It may be either unrefined or partially refined, so that it naturally retains molasses, or it may be produced by adding molasses to refined white sugar. The latter method is more common in commercial brown sugar. In addition to its brown color and rich flavor, brown sugar differs from white sugar in its consistency, which is finer, softer, and moister. Natural brown sugar, or raw sugar, is unrefined and minimally processed, produced from the first crystallization of sugar cane juice. It gets its color and flavor from the sugar cane itself, rather than from any additional ingredients. Natural brown sugar is often darker and has a stronger molasses taste than other types of brown sugar, and it also contains more minerals. Raw sugar from different parts of the world often takes on the unique taste of the plants it is extracted from. Most brown sugar for sale in supermarkets is simply refined sugar with molass
Related Questions
- If a recipe also includes other sweeteners, such as brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup or others, can you substitute SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated for all of the sweeteners?
- If a recipe also includes other sweeteners, such as brown sugar, corn syrup, molasses, maple syrup or others, can you substitute SPLENDA® No Calorie Sweetener, Granulated for all of the sweeteners?
- What is brown sugar?
