Raw Sugar Vs. White Sugar

Sugar is normally made from sugarcane juice. It can also be made from other sources, like sugar beet. It mainly consists of sucrose, lactose and fructose. When we talk about sugar in layman terms, it often refers to sucrose. The other names with which it is referred to are 'table sugar' or 'saccharose'. There are different types of sugar available in the market. Some of the common types include raw sugar, caster sugar, white sugar, granulated sugar, etc. Due to the many different types of sugar available, most of us are confused, if we should use raw sugar or white sugar in the recipe. Understanding what is raw sugar and white sugar exactly, will help in better understanding of the difference between raw sugar and white sugar.

What is Raw Sugar

To make sugar, juice is extracted from sugarcane. The juice so derived is processed minimally, which gives raw sugar. It is the product in the first stage of the sugar deriving process. After the juice is extracted from sugarcane, the major impurities from the juice are removed, after which the juice is dried. When the juice dries up completely, it is refined further, which helps in purifying the juice further. In this step the molasses from the sugar are removed. Depending on the type of sugar to be made, the refining process takes place. To make raw sugar, molasses are not removed from the juice at all. Since the molasses from raw sugar are not removed, it has rich complex flavor. At the same times, the granulated raw sugar is delightfully crunchy, hence, it is often used for making pastry and various desserts.

What is White Sugar

To make white sugar, the sugar cane juice goes through a number of refining cycles. Due to the refining process, the sugar derived has white color and there is no trace of molasses in it. When it is added to food, it only makes the food sweet as it has a neutral sweet taste. Depending on where the sugar is manufactured, there are different types of refining processes, which are used. Sometimes sugarcane juice is bleached, which gives the sugar the white color. After the entire refining process is over, the juice is left to dry and once the sugar is completely dry, it is packed.

Raw Sugar Vs. White Sugar

In raw sugar, there are traces of minerals and other nutrients, like calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, etc. Therefore, in the health wise debate, raw sugar scores over white sugar, as white sugar is devoid of all the nutrients and it made up of pure carbohydrates. At the same time, it is important to note that different harmful ingredients like phosphoric acid, sulfur dioxide and formic acid, etc. may be added to make white sugar. This brings us to a part, which interests most of us, which is the calories rich among raw sugar and white sugar. On an average, there are about 11 calories in every teaspoon of raw sugar, while there are about 16 to 18 calories in every teaspoon of white sugar and let's not forget that it does not contain any nutrients either. So from the calories debate it is clear that raw sugar is the healthier option as opposed to white sugar.

Now coming to the usage of raw sugar or white sugar in baking part of the debate. Raw sugar can be used without any problems in baking as well. As a matter of fact, muffins, cookies, etc. baked using raw sugar have a better taste and color as well. However, since raw sugar contains more amount of moisture in it, you will have to decrease the wet ingredients a little, so that the recipe turns out to be perfect.

After reading the debate, you may want to read on:

• Jaggery Vs. Sugar
• Caster Sugar Vs. Powdered Sugar
• Corn Syrup Vs. Sugar

I hope with this write up, the confusion between raw sugar and white sugar is totally cleared from your mind. Last, but not the least it is important not to confuse raw sugar with brown sugar. In brown sugar the molasses are added back to white sugar, therefore, the nutrients are stripped off,which is not the case with raw sugar.