What is brown sugar?

Sugar, an indispensable ingredient in every household kitchen. However, sugar comes in various types, each serving a different purpose. In this article, let's explore the world of brown sugar together with Mytour.

1. Definition of Brown Sugar

Similar to white sugar, brown sugar is a type of sucrose, but it has a dark brown color. After crystallizing white sugar, the excess water creates a syrupy, dark mixture known as molasses. Manufacturers use about 8-10% of this molasses to produce brown sugar.

The color of brown sugar depends on the amount of molasses added by the manufacturer. The more molasses, the darker the color. Therefore, brown sugar comes in various shades, from dark brown to golden brown.

Currently, there are two popular types of brown sugar in the market:

• Natural Brown Sugar: This type is often produced by retaining a portion of molasses in the final stage of sugar refining.
• Commercial Brown Sugar: Created by adding molasses to refined white sugar in a certain proportion to achieve the desired color.

2. Nutritional Composition of Brown Sugar

Despite having a composition almost identical to white sugar, brown sugar still possesses some unique elements. Moreover, brown sugar is low in calorie value, containing approximately 373 calories per 100g. One spoon of brown sugar contains around 4g of carbohydrates, equivalent to 1% of the daily body requirement. The minerals in brown sugar are derived from molasses: calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Contrary to common misconceptions, brown sugar does not contain fat, but when combined with certain fatty ingredients, it can compromise the healthiness of a dish. Brown sugar also lacks vitamins and only contains trace amounts of minerals.

3. Uses of Brown Sugar

Brown sugar serves various purposes, including the following:

Utilized in food processing

Brown sugar is an essential spice in Vietnamese kitchens, used in the preparation of sweet cakes, beverages, desserts, baking, stewing, and more. It imparts natural color and rich flavor to dishes. In Japan, brown sugar is a primary choice, while in the West, it is often employed in baking recipes.

Used in Beauty Care

Weight loss, obesity prevention: Brown sugar is commonly used as a substitute for white sugar in beverage and baking processes due to its low calorie content. This helps prevent obesity and enables women to achieve their desired weight.

Skin beauty, acne prevention: With abundant sugarcane juice and glycolic acid, brown sugar contributes to creating a protective layer against toxins attacking skin cells, with anti-aging and acne-fighting effects. When combined with olive oil, it helps achieve smooth, bright skin.

Relieve menstrual pain: Brown sugar contains a certain amount of potassium, which helps reduce uterine pain and minimizes contractions during menstruation. To alleviate menstrual pain, you can use brown sugar to make a cup of hot lemon water.

Quick recovery: With a rich mineral content like calcium, brown sugar provides a significant amount of energy, aiding the body in recovering quickly and dispelling fatigue. Brown sugar is an effective and safe health recovery method.

4. Is Brown Sugar the same as Yellow Sugar?

Brown sugar is not the same as yellow sugar, contrary to common misconception. In reality, brown sugar and yellow sugar are two entirely different types. Although visually indistinguishable through color and external appearance, yellow sugar typically has higher nutritional value because it is entirely made from sugarcane juice, unlike brown sugar which may contain impurities. Additionally, brown sugar is often handmade, making it challenging to thoroughly eliminate impurities. Finding naturally delicious and safe brown sugar is not an easy task.

Above are insights to enhance your understanding of what brown sugar is. Wishing you the most effective use of brown sugar.