Sugar is a naturally occurring ingredient in many foods that humans have enjoyed since we discovered honey, fruits and vegetables. Different foodstuffs provide different levels of energy, sweetness, nutrition and taste to the human body giving us a wonderful array of naturally sweet foods to choose from.
The same can be said about processed sugars. There are many different types that vary in their nutritional value, sweetness and taste. Given that most sugars come from two main sources (sugar cane or sugar beets), the variety of products that can be produced from these two humble crops is remarkable.
White sugar and brown sugar are two of the most popular processed sugars available on the market today. We explore the difference between brown sugar and white sugar to help you make informed decisions when incorporating these types of sugar into your diet.
Nutritional Differences
Nutritionally, white and brown sugar are very similar, with brown sugar containing slightly fewer kilojoules. For example:-
1 teaspoon of white sugar = 68 kilojoules
1 teaspoon of brown sugar = 62 kilojoules
One of the most notable nutritional differences between white and brown sugar is that brown sugar has slightly higher levels of potassium, iron and calcium than its white sugar counterpart. In saying that, the differences between these two sugars is insignificant and unlikely to make any significant difference if small amounts are incorporated into a healthy diet.
Production Differences
In Australia, almost all sugar products are derived from the sugar cane plant, including brown and white sugar. Both sugars start off as raw sugar which then go through a process called affination where raw sugar is combined with a hot concentrated syrup to help soften the molasses coating on the raw sugar crystals. The sugar is then dissolved in hot water and turned into a sugar liquor, ready to move onto the next phase.
The next step in the sugar’s life cycle is purification where a series of elements are added to the sugar liquid to help remove gums, amino acids and other impurities. Then the sugar moves onto decolourisation where the ‘raw liquor’ is passed over bone char, granular carbon or ion exchange resin to remove unwanted colours.
Once the liquor becomes clear, it’s then put through a crystallisation process as well as sterilisation and final filtration. The final product can be graded into different crystal sizes for different uses.
Both brown sugar and white sugar go through the same production process, brown sugar however, has had the syrup derived from the previous processes added back into the crystals giving it its distinctive brown colour and deeper, more caramel flavour.
Taste Differences
Both white and brown sugar have very different flavour profiles. White sugar is sweeter than brown sugar so it’s possible to use less of this product to attain the same levels of sweetness in cooking and baking. White sugar also has a fairly neutral flavour and colouring so is incredibly versatile, which is why it’s used extensively for pastries, sponges, cakes and other baked goods.
Brown sugar on the other hand will add a different flavour and colour to products or foods it’s added to. Brown sugar will give a slightly amber or light-caramel colour to foods that it’s added to and its deep, caramel or toffee-like flavour adds a different taste profile to things like cakes and biscuits.
Which one is better?
Given there is very little nutritional difference between brown and white sugar the main difference for most people comes down to taste and colour difference in cooking and baked goods.
References
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/343930/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/468247/nutrients
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/343930/nutrients
https://asmc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/SUGAR-PRODUCTION-PROCESS.pdf
FAQs
Both sugars are made from sugarcane; however, brown sugar contains molasses and water and has less calories. Both sugars include sucrose. They are not substitutes for each other because white sugar is sweeter and richer. Both of the sugars can be fattening and be bad for one's health if not used in moderation.
What is the main difference between white sugar and brown sugar? ›
Refined brown sugar is simply white sugar with molasses added to it. This means that brown sugar is pure, unrefined sugar and undergoes less processing than white sugar, allowing it to retain some of its molasses content and natural brown color.
Which is healthiest brown or white 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.
What will happen if you use white sugar instead of brown 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.
Is brown sugar bad for your heart? ›
Although brown sugar can sweeten healthy foods you might not otherwise enjoy, keep in mind that a serving of brown sugar is fairly small -- just a teaspoon. Too much sugar in your diet can increase your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity, so it's important to limit your portions.
Does brown sugar go bad? ›
Brown sugar essentially does not go bad (unless contaminants have gotten mixed in), making it ideal for buying in bulk if you do a lot of baking. Hardened sugar isn't bad. It's just in need of moisture. However, brown sugar will perform best if used within two years of purchase.
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.
Can diabetics eat brown sugar? ›
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 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.
Another study found that while all added sugars can increase your risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity, high fructose corn syrup may be the most harmful ( 24 ). What's more, fructose has been shown to increase the hunger hormone ghrelin and may make you feel less full after eating ( 25 , 26 ).
Why was stevia banned? ›
Though stevia was initially banned in the U.S. because some studies suggested it may be linked to cancer, it's no longer prohibited. In fact, in 2008, stevia was granted GRAS status by the FDA - which stands for "Generally Recognized As Safe."
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.
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.
What is a good substitute for brown sugar? ›
White Granulated Sugar and Honey, Agave, or Maple Syrup
Combining white sugar with molasses may be a better brown sugar substitute, but if you don't have molasses, other liquid sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar will work as well.
Can you use brown sugar in coffee? ›
Ever since brown sugar shaken espresso became popularized, brown sugar in coffee has been taking the coffee drinkers by storm. Not only is it delicious but it has the perfect level of sweetness to it that doesn't overpower your coffee as syrups do.
What makes brown sugar different? ›
Brown sugar contains about the same number of calories per teaspoon as white table sugar. The main difference between table sugar and brown sugar is the presence of molasses, which gives brown sugar its distinct color, flavor and moisture. The molasses used to make brown sugar comes from sugar cane, not sugar beets.
What are the benefits of brown sugar? ›
- Rich In Nutrients and Minerals: Brown sugar contains a lot of nutrients and Minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, and antioxidants, which further protect the cells from any of the damaging as well as have you make teeth and bones stronger, regulate blood pressure, and increase the production of red cells.
Why is brown sugar more expensive than white sugar? ›
An additional production stage, using sugar cane syrup, is required in order to produce brown sugar. Actually,Brown sugar is refined white sugar with a molasses syrup mixed in, then dried again. This additional process makes the product more expensive than white sugar.
