“Unrefined” sugar is a common buzzword these days, with health data about the glycemic index suggesting unrefined and raw sugars may be better for human health than refined sugars. While different products call for different types of sweeteners, choosing the best sugar product for your purpose is always easiest when you are armed with the knowledge of the difference between all the products available on the market. Read on to learn more.
What is Refined Sugar?
In brief, refined sugar is sugar that has been processed in some form, or “refined.” In comparison to natural sugars, for example, those that are found occurring in fruits, milk, and other foods, refined sugar has a bit of direct human help in its creation.
When you think of refined sugar, your first thought may be granulated table sugar – and you’d be correct, this is a very common form of refined sugar. Other very common forms of refined sugar include powdered sugar, corn syrups, evaporated cane juice, and most brown sugars.
One of the defining characteristics of refined sugar is the presence of sucrose. All refined sugar touts sucrose as the main component. Solid refined sugars, including granulated white table sugar, are up to 99.9 percent sucrose. Liquid refined sugars, such as molasses or syrups, are up to 80% sucrose.
Common Types of Refined Sugar:
1. Granulated Sugar
Granulated white table sugar is a staple both in our homes and in the food and beverage industries. Used to sweeten coffee and tea, bake cakes and pastries, and produce caramelization in a range of dishes, we’re all familiar with this sweetener. Many types of granulated sugar exist, including fine white granulated, extra fine granulated, granulated cane, and granulated beet sugars. Indiana Sugars carries all of these types of granulated sugar.
2. Powdered Sugar
Powdered sugar is a common example of refined sugar. It goes by many names, including confectioners’ sugar and icing sugar. This finely-ground, granulated sugar with a clean sweetness and fluffy texture is often used in the creation of icings, frostings, glazes, and fillings.
3. High-Fructose Corn Syrup
Often found in sweetened beverages, high-fructose corn syrup is another example of a refined sugar. This product is chemically similar to granulated white sugar.
