White sugar vs Brown sugar

Sugar is a carbohydrate . It is found naturally in most of the plants, but specially in sugarcane and sugar beets and hence its name.

Question : what is white sugar?

Ans : White sugar is the crsytallized sucrose extracted from either sugarcane or sugar beets. After harvesting the sugar cane or sugar beets, the juice is extracted and boiled down to remove moisture. As the moisture diminishes the natural sucrose in the juice begins to crystallize . The crystallized sugar is removed, leaving other extracts behind in the form of molasses.

Question : What is brown sugar?

Ans : Brown sugar is usually produced by adding some cane molasses to refined white sugar crystals.

Now you might want to know what is molasses?

Molasses: It is a sweetner that is claimed to be much healthier than sugar. This sweetner is formed as a byproduct of sugar. It is a thick brown to deep black honey like substance made when sugar cane or sugar beet is processed. Sugar cane molasses is agreeable in taste and aroma ; so it is used in flavoring foods . But the sugar beet molasses is foul smelling and unpalatable. So it is used as an animal feed additive.

Myth or Fact:

Is Brown sugar better than white sugar?

Ans: Some people believe that brown sugar is healthier than white sugar but this is not true. Both are equally ok in moderate amounts but harmful in large quantities. One tea spoon of white sugar contains 16 calories while same 1 tsp of brown sugar contains 17 calories. So if you are looking for ways to cut calories, choosing brown sugar over white sugar would not be beneficial.

Myth or fact:

Brown sugar contains small amount of calcium, magnesium, B vitamins. So it is better than white sugar.

Ans : The amount of essential nutrients you are getting from brown sugar is very small and would not do much to meet your daily nutrient needs. So both sugars should be limited in your diet as much as possible to avoid unwanted weight gain and increased chronic disease risks.

Difference between Brown Sugar and White Sugar :-

WHITE SUGAR	BROWN SUGAR
White sugar is refined.	Brown sugar is either an unrefined or partially refined white sugar consisting with some residual molasses content.
It is made from sugar cane and sugar beet.	It is simply white sugar mixed with molasses.
Less minerals as compared to brown sugar.	It has more minerals as compared to white sugar.
1 tsp contains 16 calories	1 tsp contains 17 calories.
It is dry in appearance.	It is a bit sticky in nature.
White in color	Brown in color
It is sweeter	It is less sweet than white sugar
It is used to make things sweet.	It is generally used in recipes to give them a moist texture and richer flavor.