What is turbinado sugar?
Kathleen B.,Tulsa, OK Turbinado sugar is raw sugar which has been steamed cleaned. A lot of good that does you, right? Let me explain. Sugar is a highly refined substance which comes from cane or beet sugar and raw sugar is what is left after the sugar cane has been processed and refined. Raw sugar though has lots of impurities which must be removed for the raw sugar to be edible thus the steam cleaning. However, you should know that the taste of Turbinado sugar is similar to light brown sugar which is what I suggest you substitute if you can’t find the turbinado.
Turbinado sugar is a delicious alternative to table sugar. Unlike typical granulated sugar, Turbinado sugar crystals are much larger, and are made at an earlier period in the sugar cane processing method. It retains some of the flavor of molasses, a natural byproduct of the sugar process, which makes it a desirable addition to tea or coffee. The first pressing of the sugar cane yields Turbinado sugar. It looks notably different from granulated sugar because it has much larger crystals and is golden to brown in color. It also is considered by some to be “healthier” since it receives less processing than does white sugar. Unlike granulated sugar, Turbinado sugar tends to hold more moisture, and is lower in calories. A basic teaspoon of Turbinado sugar contains 11 calories, while granulated sugar contains 16. Because it is a little moister than white sugar, Turbinado sugar can become hardened if exposed to too much air. Those who manufacture turbinado sugar recommend storing it, like brow
Turbinado sugar is raw sugar that has been refined to a light tan color by washing in a centrifuge under sanitary conditions. Surface molasses is removed in the washing process. In total sugar content turbinado is closer to refined sugar than to raw sugar. It can be purchased in many health food stores and some supermarkets.
Turbinado sugar (sometimes called turbinated sugar) is a sugar cane extract that is made by steaming unrefined raw sugar. It has large crystals, a slight molasses flavor and is a shade paler than brown sugar, and can be substituted for brown sugar in recipes. Like brown sugar, Turbinado sugar holds more moisture than regular sugar, and can harden when exposed to air. Keep it in an airtight container.
