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The sweetest thing

Louisa Holst

Most of the sugar that is widely available is produced from sugar cane. It is crushed to extract the sweet juice, which is then heated and clarified.

Once the moisture has evaporated, it is known as raw sugar. The crystals in raw sugar are coarse and covered in a brown liquid coating called molasses. The raw sugar is refined to remove the molasses.

The crystals that remain behind are refined further to produce a pure white crystal. Brown sugar is not as refined as white sugar, and a small amount of molasses is left behind.

Different types of sugar

  • White, granulated sugar – This refined
    white sugar is versatile and can be used to sweeten
    almost anything – from baking, jam and sweets to tea and coffee.

  • Castor sugar – White sugar with small
    crystals. It is fine and light, and ideal for baking and making desserts. It is easy to work with as the finer crystals dissolve quickly and more easily than
    ordinary granulated white sugar.
  • Light brown or sun-sweet sugar. This sugar is less refined than white sugar and contains some molasses. It has a distinctive flavour, and is ideal for making bread, pickles and chutney.
  • Dark, soft brown or treacle sugar – Raw, unrefined sugar with added molasses. It is heavy and moist, and has a dark colour and stronger flavour than light brown sugar. It is especially good in gingerbread, rich cakes and marinades.

  • Icing sugar – Finely powdered, white
    granulated sugar that has had an anti-caking ingredient (cornflour) added to it. It is mostly used to make
    icing with which to decorate bakes.

    It can also be used to make smooth, creamy desserts or in recipes for biscuits that require a fine crumb.

  • Palm sugar – This soft, beige sugar
    originates from the date palm. It has a delicate flavour and can be used in desserts and savoury dishes. It
    is widely used in Asian and Indian cuisine.

  • Yellow sugar – Raw sugar that has
    been coloured with approved food colouring. It is used for making jams, cakes, preserves and home-brewed drinks, such as ginger beer.
  • Caramel sugar – Light brown sugar that has been mixed with caramelised sugar for a caramel flavour. Used in bakes or in glazes.

  • Demerara sugar – A light brown sugar
    from the Caribbean.

  • Muscovado sugar – A refined, dark
    brown sugar where most of the molasses has been left behind. It is available as light or dark muscovado
    sugar, depending on the amount of molasses it contains.

  • Jam sugar – This sugar usually has
    larger crystals that dissolve easily, making the jam less likely to burn. Some also contain pectin to help
    ensure that the jam sets after cooking.

  • Sugar cubes – White granulated sugar
    that has been formed into cubes which dissolve as soon as they are added to tea or coffee.

  • Flavoured sugar – Larger, refined
    white or brown sugar crystals, with added flavourings such as coffee or strawberry. Use it for baking or as an
    alternative to ordinary sugar at a tea party or in after-dinner coffee.

  • Coloured sugar – Larger crystals that
    are coloured with approved food colourings. These sugars can be used for decorating bakes. They do not melt
    when baked so they give a crunchy texture and attractive appearance to the final product.

    Sugar tips

  • Always store sugar in an airtight container because it absorbs moisture very easily.
  • Different sugars have different masses and properties, so be careful if you substitute one kind for another in recipes, especially in bakes.