Understanding The Types Of Sugar

Understanding The Types Of Sugar

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Sugar! Without it, there would be no chocolate, no cakes and no diversion from the afternoon meltdown. Sugar is a wondrous ingredient that can be used in countless ways. But sugar is not without its mysteries.

What is granulated sugar in Australia? How do the different types of sugars and syrups work in cooking? Can one be substituted for another? What is the difference between molasses, treacle, golden syrup and honey?

To understand sugar's role in cooking, it helps to take a small detour into science so we can break it down into its basic parts.

Sugars are the simplest forms of carbohydrates, also known as saccharides. Sugars can be monosaccharides (meaning a single sugar molecule) and disaccharides (double), which are simply two monosaccharides bonded together. Our body actually breaks down almost everything we eat into these sugars, which are then combined to form more complex carbohydrates like starch.

This means that natural sugars are present in many foods, including those we wouldnt recognise as sweet. It also means different forms of sugar vary in their level and type of sweetness. For example, the sweetness of honey and golden syrup is quite different to the sweetness of brown sugar, because they differ in chemical composition. This difference in composition also causes different sugars to act differently when cooked or baked, and will result in different levels of sweetness or a finished product that may brown easily or have a crumbly texture.

Glucose is a monosaccharide and is less sweet than other sugars. Fructose, on the other hand, is the sweetest known monosaccharide. Sucrose, or common sugar, has 1 part glucose and 1 part fructose. Sometimes knowing what parts certain sugars or syrups break down into can help when choosing a substitute.

How is sugar made?

Making sugar is a process that begins with boiling juice from the plants with lime (calcium oxide), which partially purifies and clarifies the syrup. The syrup is evaporated, concentrated and placed in a centrifuge to draw off more liquid (molasses). The raw sugar is then dissolved again and stripped of colour, filtered and re-crystallised to granulated sugar. A further crystallisation occurs to produce granules of specific sizes.

Types of sugar

There are different types of sugar and despite their similarities, they aren't all interchangeable. Here's a quick guide to the most common types of sugar.

Granulated Sugar

Granulated or white table sugar has a large variety of uses. Normal granulated sugar has a grain size of about 0.5mm across. You can also get larger grained sugars still considered common, such as hail sugar, which is popular for decorating cookies and other desserts.

Caster Sugar

Caster sugar is preferred in pastry and cake making as the granules are finer (around 0.35mm) and dissolve faster. With more sharp edges to cut through fat, batters become aerated more rapidly. Caster sugar also dissolves into beaten eggs for meringue with greater efficiency, and it's worthwhile to know that table sugar will typically produce a cake with a speckled crust.

A small note on etymology, the term caster or castor sugar is a British term given to sugar fine enough to fit through a sugar caster or sprinkler. In the United States, this sugar is also sold as superfine sugar.

Icing Sugar (or confectioners sugar)

This is crushed, powdered granulated sugar. It is used in icings, fillings and some pastries, such as friandes and sable. It's also one of the most important ingredients in cake decorating. This is because icing sugar is the basis of royal icing, which is used for decorating and writing, and it's also used to make cake glue and to dust surfaces before rolling out icings.

There are a few different sorts of icing sugar and they are not interchangeable. Pure Icing Sugar is pure unmixed sugar with no additives. Pure icing sugar is quite lumpy and usually needs to be sifted. This is the sugar used for Royal icing. Icing Sugar Mixture is sugar that has been blended with a small amount of cornflour (around 4%). It's not so good for cake decorating work as the small amounts of flour present can start to form mould if there is any moisture in the cake or decorated items (and there usually is). Pure sugar will not grow mould. Icing sugar mixture, however, is fantastic for making simple glazes and icings, and fillings where a small amount of cornflour will not affect the result. It does not clump or lump and this is a definite advantage.

Snow Sugar is icing sugar with a mixture of cornflour and a touch of vegetable fat and dextrose. This mixture produces a sugar that doesn't melt when dusted onto cakes and tarts. This is its primary use, although some of our customers bake with it very successfully.

Palm Sugar

Palm sugar is extracted from a sugar-giving tree, of which there are several varieties. The most generous is the Asian sugar palm. The sap is collected from the flowers or from a tap in the trunk, then boiled down to syrup (called palm honey) or crystallised to a mass. The dark sugar is often called jaggery and has a distinct, almost winey, aroma. It is mostly used in Indian, Indonesian and some African cuisines. A lighter palm sugar is also used extensively in Thai cuisine. This lighter palm sugar is the most common palm sugar used in our kitchens in Australia.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugars are softer and moister than granulated sugars. Their crystals are coated with molasses like syrup. Darker sugars are more intensely flavoured, as the colour relates to the molasses retention. Glucose and fructose are present in the molasses syrup coating the crystals. These attract and retain more moisture in the sugar itself, making brown sugars great for baking, as the products will retain more moisture and stay fresher for longer periods. 

Granulated sugars are 99% sucrose and brown sugars vary between 85-92%. If brown sugar is used instead of granulated sugar, the result will be more flavourful and moist but the browning temperature will be lower.

Demerara sugar is also considered to be in this category, as it often comes from the first crystallisation of cane juice, producing yellow gold crystals that are frequently washed with alcohol to make them shiny and clear. Muscovado sugars are the crystallisation of the dark mother syrup, forming very small, sticky, intensely flavoured sugars.

Invert Sugar

Invert sugar is made from a sucrose water solution (basic sugar syrup) that is heated with the addition of acid. Although invert sugar naturally occurs in honey, molasses and corn syrup, to name a few, it can also be purchased as a paste or syrup. It does not crystallise and it retains moisture. It is sweeter than sucrose (standard sugar), and when added to baked goods it will keep them moist longer. It also helps prevent ice formation in ice creams and sorbets. 

Therefore, it is used extensively in ice cream, sorbet, glazes and sauces, fondant and candy making. Fudge and caramel sauce are two more examples where the non-grainy texture afforded by invert sugar is important.

Syrups and Honey

Molasses (also known as treacle)

There are a number of grades of molasses. The darker the molasses, the more bitter it is. Blackstrap molasses is usually the last extracted and is very dark as its sugars have been caramelised over and over and an effort to extract as much sucrose as possible. Most of the syrups available as molasses (or treacle) are a blend of molasses in 

various stages of caramelisation and sugar syrups. This is so the molasses can be sold in an almost uniform condition.

Molasses is generally added to a recipe for colour, flavour and moisture, rather than sweetness. This is why many recipes use molasses or treacle with sugar also added, such as gingerbread. Molasses is common in liquorice, baked beans, and barbecue sauce. Molasses are variably acidic, which makes them work well with bi-carbonate of soda as a leavening agent.

Golden Syrup

This is refinery syrup made from raw sugar filtered through charcoal to give it a clear appearance and delicate flavour.

Honey

Honey is great for longevity in baked goods. It is very high in fructose and glucose, and quite similar to invert sugar. It is approximately 1 ¼ times as sweet as granulated sugar. Heating honey makes it less liable to crystallise. The sweetness of the fructose in honey is registered almost immediately on the tongue, and fades very quickly. This quick action is said to enhance the flavours in some foods, especially fruitiness, tartness and spiciness without the sweetness lingering long enough to mask the flavour of the other ingredients. This is why honey and lemon work so well, and why honey is often used in a spicy marinade.

Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar

Maple syrup originates from the sap of the maple tree. The season for harvesting maple sap is very short (approximately six weeks). The water in the sap is separated from the sugars and boiled down, leaving heavily flavoured syrup. It takes about 40 parts sap to make 1 part syrup.

Maple syrup is graded by colour, flavour and sugar content, with grade A being the highest grade. The lower, darker grade syrups are used in baked goods and glazes. Cheap maple flavoured syrups are usually not maple at all, as they're usually corn syrup with maple flavour added. Maple sugar is made by concentrating (boiling) the sap down for much longer than is needed to make the syrup until all that's left is a solid sugar.

Glucose (also known as dextrose)

Glucose is the building block of sugars, the chemical place from which sugar chains are started. It is found in fruits and honey, amongst other things. Glucose is less sweet than granulated sugar. It is less water soluble, producing a thinner solution. It melts and starts to caramelise at 150°C, where granulated sugar will caramelise at around 170°C. Used in toffees, candies and ice creams, it can keep the product soft and gooey while still caramelising and setting.

Corn Syrup

Corn is the second largest sugar producing crop. Corn syrup begins as a starchy liquid that is converted into sugars by the addition of acid. The thickness of corn syrup is due to the large number of carbohydrate molecules that are tangled up with each other. This results in a syrup that is much thicker than a standard sugar can produce.

Due to the tangled nature of its molecular composition, corn syrup has the valuable effect of preventing other sugars from crystallising and producing a grainy texture. This means that it helps minimise the size of ice crystals in ice cream encouraging a creamy consistency. Its viscosity helps impart a thick chewy texture to foods. It is less sweet than sugar because it contains a lot of glucose, preventing moisture loss without being overbearingly sweet. Corn syrup is acidic, due to the way it is produced; therefore, it works well with baking soda.

Light corn syrup is a mixture of regular and high fructose corn syrup with the addition of vanilla. It contains around 75% fructose plus glucose, making the sweetness similar to table sugar. The combination enhances the moisture and develops colour in baked goods. Dark Corn Syrup is a mixture of corn syrup and refiners syrup, used for colour and flavour.

Date Syrup

This is made from date solids in a solution of sugar. Brands vary but can be a mix of approximately 37% solids with the remaining 63% being a mixture of glucose, fructose, and water.

Grape Syrup

A lovely syrup made from concentrated grape juice containing fructose and glucose, not unlike date syrup. It can be used as topping for ice cream, cakes, waffles and pancakes.

The role of sugar in baking

Sugar’s unique chemical composition makes it an essential ingredient in baking. Aside from adding sweetness, it also elevates the flavour, texture and appearance of baked goods.

Here are the various functions of sugar in baking:

Texture

Sugar easily absorbs water, keeping your baked goods soft and moist. Different types of sugar will lead to different outcomes. Since brown sugar contains molasses, it is better at retaining moisture than white sugar. 

Sugar also creates crunch in your baked goods. This happens when moisture evaporates during baking, allowing dissolved sugars to recrystallise and create a crisp texture.

Structure

Sugar helps slow the development of gluten, a protein essential in maintaining softness and tenderness. However, too much gluten formation can make the batter or dough tough and chewy.

Gluten strands are highly elastic, allowing the dough to rise and hold its shape in the oven. When the right proportion of sugar, starch and gluten is added to the recipe, the ideal amount of gluten is formed, creating just enough height and elasticity. Adding too much sugar gives your baked product a flimsy texture, while using too little can create a dense and heavy texture. 

Flavour

When sugar is added to baked goods, it interacts with other ingredients, adding more depth of flavour to each recipe. For example, sugar can counteract the sourness or bitterness of some ingredients like lemon and amplify the natural sweetness of fruits and vanilla.

Colour 

When heated, the sugar caramelises and creates a desirable brown colour on the surface of many baked goods. During caramelisation, sugar molecules break down, turn deeper shades of brown and develop more distinct flavours.

Sugar can also be used as a garnish to enhance plate presentation and add colour and texture. Confectioner's sugar can be dusted over tarts, cakes and brownies. Cookies can be coated with plain sugar or cinnamon sugar to add a slight crisp on the outside. For muffins and pastries, coarse sugar can be sprinkled on top to add a sweet crunch and an elegant finish.

Tips and tricks for measuring sugar

Brown sugar

Since brown sugar has a unique moist texture, it must be tightly packed into a dry measuring cup. One cup of packed brown sugar is 200 grams if you’re using a scale.

Step 1: Scoop the brown sugar into your measuring cup. 

Step 2: Use the back of a spoon to firmly press down the pile of brown sugar until it is tight and compact.

Step 3: Repeat the scooping and pressing until the measuring cup is full. Brown sugar should hold the cup’s shape when turned over into the bowl.

Granulated sugar and powdered sugar

Granulated sugar and powdered sugar are measured the same way. 

Step 1: Stir the sugar first to eliminate clumps or pass it through a sieve or sifter before measuring. 

Step 2: Carefully spoon sugar into a dry measuring cup. Don’t pack the sugar into the cup; lightly spoon it in.

Step 3: Level off excess sugar with a dinner knife or straight edge so you don’t add too much to your recipe.

Note:

  • One cup of powdered sugar is 113 grams if you’re using a scale. 
  • One cup of granulated sugar is 200 grams if using a scale.

Syrup

For sticky sweeteners like molasses and syrups, use a liquid measuring cup. Lightly spray the cup with cooking spray or oil first so the liquid can slide out quickly and completely. 

Sugar substitutes for last-minute bakers

Caster sugar vs white sugar

Most recipes allow you to substitute caster sugar for white sugar and vice versa. But take note that one cup of granulated sugar is not equivalent to one cup of caster sugar.

Caster sugar is finer and dissolves much easier than granulated sugar. It’s best to substitute by volume:

  • 1 cup of granulated sugar = 220g
  • 1 cup of caster sugar = 225g

Raw sugar vs brown sugar

Natural sweeteners like honey and maple syrup and raw sugars like demerara or turbinado are all suitable alternatives to brown sugar. 

In most recipes, you can replace brown sugar with raw sugars in an even proportion. 

For liquid sweeteners, exact substitution measurements vary for each recipe, but you can use this ratio as a guide:

  • 1 cup of brown sugar (200 g) = 2/3 cup (160 mL) of liquid sweetener

How to store sugar correctly

Sugar can last longer when stored in a cool, dry location. If left exposed to air, sugar can harden and become lumpy. 

All types of sugar should be stored in an airtight container to protect it from moisture. Both plastic and glass containers work well as long as they’re adequately sealed.

On the other hand, sugar syrups should be kept from freezing or getting too hot to avoid crystallisation. Some liquid sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, may need to be refrigerated after opening to prevent spoilage. It’s best to check product labels for specific storage instructions.

How to soften brown sugar

Brown sugar contains more moisture than regular granulated sugar. Once its natural moisture evaporates, the sugar granules can harden into a dense brown lump. The solution is to introduce moisture into the container. One way to do that is to place a small piece of bread in the container with the brown sugar. The sugar will absorb enough moisture from the bread to soften again. 

How to caramelise sugar 

There are two ways to caramelise sugar:

  • Wet caramelisation involves dissolving sugar with water until the solution turns into a rich amber colour.
  • Dry caramelisation involves heating sugar in a pan without any added liquid until it becomes molten.

Overheating can make sugar unusable. Regardless of your chosen method, carefully monitor the temperature to prevent burning the sugar syrup.

Turn to The Essential Ingredient for all your sugar needs

Whether you're looking for premium sugar products, professional cookware or expert cooking advice, The Essential Ingredient has got you covered. Drop by The Essential Ingredient store near you and browse our wide range of Australian sugars for your next culinary creation.

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