Which sugar should you reach for, brown or white? There's more to these common sugar varieties than you'd think, including similarities and differences you probably didn't know about. We spoke with the Sugar Association to get all the info you need to know about white sugar, brown sugar and everything in between.
Sea Salt vs. Table Salt: What's the Difference?
What Is White Granulated Sugar?
Through photosynthesis, sugar is made from the leaves of a sugar cane or sugar beet plant. It is stored as a juice in the stalks (cane) or root (beet) of the plant, before being harvested and sent off to be refined. The cane juice is extracted, purified, filtered and crystallized. Through varying adjustments in the refining process, different varieties of sugar can be created. One such sugar is the white granulated sugar you likely are familiar with from baking or stirring into your morning tea or coffee.
What Is Brown Sugar?
Light brown sugar is white sugar with the presence of molasses. The molasses gives the sugar more moisture (making its texture softer), a darker color and a light caramel-like flavor. Molasses is naturally found in sugar cane and sugar beet plants, and is separated from the sugar crystals to create white sugar in the refining process.
When we discuss brown sugar, that's mostly in reference to light brown sugar. But don't forget about dark brown sugar! Dark brown sugar has nearly twice the amount of molasses present, which is the reason for its darker color. But it's not just the color that's different: dark brown sugar also has a deeper flavor than light brown sugar, so keep that in mind if you're planning to swap them in a recipe.
The Sugar Association notes, "The relative [higher] acidity of molasses may be a consideration with regard to baking and recipes that are sensitive to specific rise or spread, so this should be noted when using dark over light."
One downside of brown sugar (both light and dark) that many home chefs have likely experienced is opening up your box, bag or jar only to find an impenetrable rock inside. This happens when the moisture dries up, likely due to improper storage or aging. It's still perfectly fine to use once softened, but try storing your sugar in an airtight container instead of the original packaging next time.
How Are They Used Differently?
While they can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on the recipe, both light and dark brown sugar have their own uses as well. The Sugar Association recommends using dark brown sugar in recipes that have a "richer flavor profile such as spice cakes, gingerbreads, and barbecue sauces. On the other hand, recipes calling for light brown sugar include sweet sauces, marinades, and rubs." But if the recipe you are following doesn't specify what type of brown sugar to use, your best bet is to use light brown.
By "varying the level of molasses, different sugar varieties are possible, including all the varieties of brown sugar," the Sugar Association says. These sugars each vary in molasses and moisture content, and crystal size, giving them their own unique applications in cooking and eating. Here are some of the more prevalent varieties.
- Turbinado: Raw sugar is the residue left after sugar cane has been processed to remove the molasses and refine the sugar crystals. Turbinado sugar is raw sugar that has been processed using steam heat. The crystals are blond-ish and have a delicate molasses flavor.
- Demerara: This is also a raw sugar known for it coarse texture and dry crystals. It is processed in the Demerara area of Guyana, and is often used in co*cktails.
- Muscovado: This sugar is less refined than white sugar, maintaining some of its natural molasses content, and may be used in a wide variety of ways, from barbecue sauce to oatmeal to baked goods.
White sugar is typically categorized by crystal size. Here are a few white sugar varieties to look out for on your next grocery store run, and some common uses for them:
- Granulated: This is the most common type of sugar, good for everything from adding to your morning coffee to mixing into your favorite baked goods.
- Sanding: This type of sugar looks almost sparkling, and is often used in baking as a decorative touch.
- Superfine: Sometimes called caster sugar, superfine sugar dissolves easily and is used in delicate desserts like pudding or mousse.
- Powdered: Granulated sugar is ground into an ultra-smooth powder, also known as confectioners' sugar. This is often used to make homemade icing or whipped cream.
Nutritional Values
When taking a look at the nutrition label, you'll likely see sugar and added sugars listed. The total sugars in a product include the naturally occurring sugars that are inherently present in foods such as dairy products and fruit, plus any added sugars that are added to foods and beverages during processing and cooking. White and brown sugars are added sugars. (Somewhat confusingly, sometimes any sugars that are made from plants—sugar cane, sugar beets, agave, maple syrup, honey, etc.—are referred to as "natural." Yet, if they are added to a food, they count as added sugars.)
From a nutrition perspective, there's no advantage to using white sugar over brown sugar or vice versa, the Sugar Association says: "Nutritionally speaking, all natural sugars have relatively comparable nutritional value with approximately 15 calories per teaspoon (4.2 g)."
Bottom Line
The main difference between white sugar and brown sugar is the presence of molasses. This gives brown sugar a distinctive flavor, color and moisture level that makes it stand out from regular white table sugar.
How Many Grams of Sugar Should You Eat per Day?
FAQs
One teaspoon (4 grams) of white sugar has about 16.3 calories. The same amount of brown sugar contains 15 calories. With brown sugar you also get a slightly higher amount of potassium, calcium, and iron, all thanks to the presence of molasses.
Which is healthier, white sugar or brown sugar? ›
Health experts say that moderation is key while consuming brown or white sugar. Brown sugar may be better than white sugar for baking recipes and rich in flavor. While both sugars impact blood sugar levels, regardless of type, they can lead to weight gain, dental issues, and an increased risk of health problems.
What is the healthiest kind of sugar to use? ›
Sugars that have undergone less processing, such as cane sugar, turbinado sugar, and coconut sugar, tend to have a higher content of minerals and antioxidant compounds, albeit very limited.
Why do people use brown sugar instead of white? ›
The molasses in brown sugar adds more moisture to the baked good, so it makes your finished product even softer than white sugar would. Sugar helps make some baking recipes light and airy.
Is brown sugar bad for diabetics? ›
For people with diabetes, the use of brown sugar has no healthier effects than white sugar. Users should note that any added sugars should be limited as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. Excess sugar intake is strongly linked to the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and fatty liver disease.
Is honey healthier than sugar? ›
So is there a definitive answer to which is healthier, honey or sugar? Both should be consumed in limited amounts. Honey may have a slight edge, but excess consumption of either is more dangerous to your health than the advantage of choosing one over the other.
Is brown sugar inflammatory? ›
We determined that administration of unrefined sugar (brown sugar, sugarcane molasses, jaggery) could reduce inflammation as indicated by various inflammatory biomarkers, including IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, TNF-α, IF-g, and NF-κB in animal models and in vitro test systems.
What is the unhealthiest sugar? ›
Added fructose may have the most negative health effects, but experts agree that you should limit your intake of all types of added sugar. However, there is no need to limit the sugars found naturally in fruits and vegetables.
What type of sugar should be avoided? ›
These eight foods are some of the most concentrated sources of sugar.
- Cane Sugar. Cane sugar is the most popular form of sugar found in packaged foods, baked goods, and some soft drinks. ...
- Honey. ...
- Agave. ...
- Corn Syrup. ...
- Brown Rice Syrup. ...
- Dairy. ...
- Fruit. ...
- Coconut Sugar.
7 Clean Eating-Approved Sweeteners
- Bob's Red Mill Organic Coconut Sugar. ...
- SweetLeaf Liquid Stevia SteviaClear Sweet Drops. ...
- GloryBee Raw Organic Fair Trade Honey. ...
- Coombs Family Farms Grade A Dark Robust Pure Maple Syrup. ...
- Wholesome Organic Cane Sugar. ...
- Xlear XyloSweet. ...
- NOW Real Food Date Sugar.
In most baking recipes, you can substitute brown sugar for white sugar in a one-to-one ratio. So, if your recipe calls for one cup of white sugar, swap one cup of brown sugar. The sweetness level will be the same, but the brown sugar may change the texture of your baked goods.
What happens if you only use brown sugar in cookies? ›
Brown sugar, meanwhile, is dense and compacts easily, creating fewer air pockets during creaming—that means that there's less opportunity to entrap gas, creating cookies that rise less and spread more. With less moisture escaping via steam, they also stay moist and chewy.
Can you put brown sugar in coffee? ›
Ultimately, whether you use brown sugar in your coffee is a personal choice that depends on your individual preferences and health goals. If you enjoy the flavor of brown sugar and are mindful of how much you are consuming, there is no reason why you can't use it in your coffee.
What raises A1c the most? ›
It's true that carbohydrates affect your blood sugar more than other nutrients you eat. Chances are that if you overdo starchy carbs on a regular basis, your A1c number will start to creep up. But remember, all carbs aren't a problem.
Who should not eat brown sugar? ›
Brown sugar when consumed in limited quantity is safe and well-tolerated by most healthy adults. However, if consumed in large amounts may increase the risk of weight gain, yeast infections and diabetes.
What are the 5 worst foods for blood sugar? ›
You limit dairy products, red meat, sweets, added sugars, sodium (salt), and highly processed foods. Some additional guidelines include focusing on seasonal produce and reading food labels to help you avoid added sodium and sugar.
What is a healthier version of white sugar? ›
Brown sugar contains some of these molasses, which is how it gets its colour. Brown sugar is considered slightly healthier than refined white sugar because of the small number of nutrients it contains over white sugar.
Can I replace brown sugar with white sugar? ›
Plain white sugar. When all else fails, you can replace brown sugar with an even measurement of granulated white sugar without fear of ruining your recipe. White sugar lacks the same rich flavor that brown sugar adds, but depending on the type of recipe, you may not notice much flavor change at all.
What are the benefits of eating brown sugar? ›
Brown Sugar is rich in minerals like iron and calcium. It contains more iron than white sugar, which is an essential mineral that helps fight fatigue and maintain healthy blood cells and red blood cells. Brown sugar also contains calcium. Calcium is a mineral that helps build and maintain strong bones and teeth.
What is worse for cholesterol, sugar or fat? ›
While it's common knowledge that saturated fats can raise your cholesterol, there can be another culprit: A diet high in sugary foods. From sweetened coffee every morning to a can of soda to go along with your evening meal, the added sugars in your daily diet may take a toll on your cholesterol over time.
