Define Crystalline Sugars

Crystalline sugar may be used to decorate pastries.

The term "crystalline sugar" simply refers to types of sugars that are in crystal form, such as granulated sugar. Sugar is made from sucrose, which can be found in both liquid and solid form. Sucrose can be dissolved in water or heated until liquid; hence the need for terminology that distinguishes crystalline sugar from other types of sugar.

Features

Crystalline sugar forms crystals when at room temperature. Unlike salt crystals, which are uniformly shaped, sugar crystals are irregularly shaped. Their texture is somewhat grainy.

Function

Crystalline sugar is an extremely popular sweetener. It is used in a huge variety of foods, from savory sauces to baked goods.

Types

Crystalline sugars include granulated sugar, raw sugar, brown sugar, Demerara sugar, powdered sugar, ultra-fine sugar, Turbinado sugar and castor sugar.

History

Crystalline sugar is derived from sugar cane and sugar beets. In order for it to become crystalline sugar, the sugar cane or sugar beets are sliced, pressed and then boiled in order to extract the sugar from them. The resulting product is processed in order to produce such crystalline sugar products as white sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar and the like.

Significance

Crystalline sugar is made up of chains of sucrose molecules, which contain carbon, hydrogen and oxygen molecules. Crystalline sugar may also contain trace minerals.

References

• USDA's Domestic Sugar Program and Reporting Glossary Terms
• Sugar Factory Definitions
• Epicurious.com Food Dictionary: Sugar

Resources

• Practically Edible: Sugar
• Exploratorium.edu: Science of Sugar
• The Cook's Thesaurus: Sugars