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Currently, there's a plethora of sugar varieties in the market. Let's explore the different types of sugar used in baking with the recipes below.
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2. Popular Types of Baking Sugars
In baking recipes, sugar plays a pivotal role in enhancing the aroma and flavor of the delightful treats. Have you acquainted yourself with the various sugar options available? If not, delve into the information below.
White Sand Sugar
White Sand Sugar, also known by various names such as granulated sugar or sand sugar, is produced from 100% sugarcane. Utilizing technology to eliminate impurities with activated charcoal, this sugar is characterized by small, fine grains, a white color, and easy solubility in water. It offers a subtly sweet taste compared to other sugar types.
Some desserts that pair well with White Sand Sugar include butter sugar sandwiches, chocolate chip butter sugar bread, and it's also commonly used in savory dishes or for preparing syrups.
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Powdered Sugar
Powdered Sugar, also known as Confectioners' Sugar, is made by finely grinding granulated sugar, resulting in a pristine white color. Currently, there are two types: one made purely from finely ground sugar and the other, while also finely ground, includes additives like cornstarch or potato starch.
For this type of sugar, you'll use it to create a smooth glaze on sugar-dusted donuts or to ferment in pastries such as bao, bread, and more.
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Raw Sugar or Decorative Sugar
This sugar type resembles sand sugar, but the grains are significantly larger. Due to its coarse texture, raw sugar is ideal for baking high-temperature treats or desserts that require stability during baking. Additionally, this raw sugar variant is often mixed with various colors for decorative purposes on baked goods.
People commonly use this coarse sugar with added hues to adorn cookies or cupcakes, adding a charming touch. Notably, it is favored for decorating cakes during parties and events.
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Brown Sugar
Brown Sugar, also known as dark sugar, is made from granulated sugar with the additional ingredient of molasses to give it its brown color. However, the intensity of the brown shade varies depending on the amount of molasses used during production.
Light brown sugar is commonly used for baking, mixed with various ingredients, or as a sauce or fermenting agent in recipes like flan or whole wheat bread. On the other hand, dark brown sugar is preferred for making treats like gingerbread cookies.
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Turbinado Sugar
Turbinado sugar is crafted from sugarcane juice, retaining some of the original molasses during the refining process. This sugar variant presents in small crystalline form with a light golden color. Notably, Turbinado sugar has fewer calories compared to other sugar types.
This sugar type imparts a fragrant aroma resembling caramel. Consequently, it can be used in crafting beverages or in baking various treats such as sponge cake, cupcakes, without the concern of excessive richness found in other sugar varieties.
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Rock Sugar
Rock sugar presents itself in large crystalline granules, available in various colors such as white, light yellow, or dark brown, depending on whether pure sugar is used in the production process.
Commonly employed in soaking fruits or used for marinating/steaming dishes, rock sugar also finds its place in baking, making sweet soups, and crafting candies.
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Coconut Palm Sugar
Derived from the sap of coconut palm flowers, coconut palm sugar boasts a sweet and fragrant taste. Many appreciate its pleasant sweetness and refreshing quality, considering it superior to both cane sugar and beet sugar. When discussing coconut palm sugar, delectable dishes like coconut palm sweet soup, agar-agar with coconut palm, and the irresistible coconut palm sponge cake come to mind, especially those from the Mekong Delta region.
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Grape Sugar
Grape sugar, aside from being extracted from grapes, is also derived from honey. This sugar variant appears smaller, finer, and has a whiter hue compared to other types. Upon tasting, you'll experience initial sweetness followed by a subtle tang. Grape sugar is extensively used in cooking recipes to impart a light and fluffy texture to sponge cakes. Utilizing this sugar in making tofu or yogurt results in a smoother and more delicious final product.
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Superfine, Ultrafine, Bar, Caster Sugar
The sugar varieties listed above are finer and smaller than regular granulated sugar. Their mild sweetness makes them ideal for sophisticated desserts. Some light treats incorporating these sugars include mousse cakes, meringue cookies, or puddings. Moreover, they are used in mixology to craft refreshing cold beverages.
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Various Syrup Types
These are liquid sugar varieties primarily composed of sugar and water. Common syrup types include cane syrup, maple syrup, and honey. Their purpose aligns with other sugar types, enhancing the softness and moisture of baked goods.
Many find that using these syrup types imparts a distinct aroma to baked goods. They are suitable for making mooncakes, sponge cakes, fresh milk, bubble tea, and popular syrup brands for mixology include Wings Black Sugar Syrup, Eurodeli Black Sugar Syrup, and Maulin Black Sugar Syrup.
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Isomalt Sugar
Isomalt sugar is processed from sugar beets, resulting in very low calorie content. Notably, it offers a sweet and mild taste. The key advantage of Isomalt sugar is its non-cariogenic property, meaning it doesn't contribute to tooth decay.
This sugar type is widely used in countries like the United States, France, and Japan, producing various products such as hard candies, chewy candies, and gum. Noteworthy treats made with Isomalt sugar include mooncakes, sugar ring cookies, and shortbread cookies.
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3. Uses of Sugar
Sugar serves various purposes in baking and cooking beyond its diverse types. Let's explore:
- Sugar is utilized in baking to create a smooth and cohesive texture for cakes.
- Adding sugar enhances sweetness and imparts a distinct aroma to baked goods.
- Sugar acts as a moisture-retaining ingredient, prolonging the shelf life of cakes without spoilage.
- Used for fermenting and leavening in baking.
- Combining sugar with butter, eggs, etc., and whipping produces a soft and fluffy cream.
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So, the Mytour Blog has compiled various types of baking sugars along with their respective uses. Save this useful information to choose the right sugar for your dishes. Wishing you success and warm meals with your family.
Explore more articles:
- What is Grape Sugar? Uses of Grape Sugar
- What is Sour Cream? Delicious Culinary Applications
