Turbinado Sugar

It was just yesterday while roaming around the aisles of the local health food store that I came across a packet of turbinado sugar. While I have heard of its numerous health benefits, I wasn't really sure what it actually was. However, after some research I came across the nutrition facts that I felt were interesting enough to be shared with the health conscious crowd out there.

What is Turbinado Sugar?

Turbinado or turbinated sugar as it is commonly known is a food additive that serves as an alternative to the granulated table sugar. Freshly cut sugar cane is crushed and then the juice is evaporated and crystallized to form large crystals of this sugar. The name is derived from the process wherein the crystals of sugar are spun in turbine to remove excess moisture and molasses. The result is the production of large size light brown crystals which has the flavor of molasses. Most of the manufactures refer to this sugar as raw sugar as it goes through very little processing and retains much of its moisture. This also makes the raw turbinado sugar a healthier option to the refined white sugar.

Nutrition Facts
Health freaks around the world are going ga ga over the health benefits of this sugar. So what is it that fascinates people about the sugar? Well, to start off, this sugar calories are restricted to around 11 to 15 calories per teaspoon which is starkly opposed to the presence of 45 calories per tablespoon of white sugar. Moreover due to the fact that it is less processed than white sugar means that this sugar retains much of its natural vitamins and mineral content.

Other Benefits of Turbinado Sugar
While the calorie information does make it a favorite with health freaks, it is the wonderful caramelized flavor of this sugar that has made it increasingly popular with people. Sprinkled on breakfast cereals or used for cooking and baking, the caramel flavor makes it a wonderful addition to the baked goods like cookies, crème brulees, muffins, flans and puddings, rum cakes, treacle biscuits, soft centered and licorice candies and other flavored foods. One of my favorites is sugar cookies rolled in this sugar or added to cinnamon toast. You can also add a teaspoon to your daily hot coffee or tea to enjoy its wonderful taste.

Turbinado Sugar Vs Brown Sugar
Brown sugar is prepared by the crystallization of sugar cane and has a high mineral content due to the presence of molasses. Turbinado sugar is a form of brown sugar. However, there are some basic differences between the two.

We might not know it, but it is a proven fact that there is something non-vegetarian about the normal granulated white sugar and even our brown sugar. Bone char derived from cow bones is used to whiten and decolorize the sugar. Brown sugar which is made by adding molasses to refined sugar also uses the bone char process in its production. As opposed to this, turbinado sugar is one of the few sweeteners that is not refined by the use of bone char.

Turbinado sugar is believed to be completely natural, pure and chemical free. Moreover it is easy to handle and store. Make sure that you place the sugar in an airtight container to reduce its tendency of hardening when exposed to air. Most of the major grocery stores and health food stores stock in retail and bulk packs. So go ahead and enjoy the benefits of this amazing golden-colored sugar.