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sugar

SweetenersYear-round. Refined sugar is a shelf-stable commodity product available continuously; however, specialty sugars such as fresh cane juice and maple syrup have distinct seasonal availability tied to harvest periods.

Sugar is primarily composed of carbohydrates providing approximately 4 calories per gram, with negligible protein, fat, or micronutrients in refined white sugar. Specialty sugars such as muscovado and coconut sugar contain trace minerals including potassium and iron, though in nutritionally insignificant quantities.

About

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate (monosaccharide or disaccharide) that serves as a fundamental sweetening agent in culinary applications worldwide. The most common culinary sugar is sucrose, a disaccharide derived from sugar cane (Saccharum officinarum) or sugar beets (Beta vulgaris), which is extracted, refined, and crystallized into granulated form. Sucrose comprises glucose and fructose units bonded together and represents approximately 99.9% purity in refined white sugar.\n\nSugar exists in multiple forms beyond granulated white sugar, including brown sugar (sucrose with molasses), muscovado (moist, mineral-rich), demerara, and turbinado (large-crystal varieties), as well as other sweetening sources such as honey, maple syrup, and coconut sugar. Each variety possesses distinct moisture content, crystal size, and residual mineral profiles that influence flavor and culinary properties. Chemically, sugar is highly soluble in water and undergoes transformation when heated—caramelizing at elevated temperatures and undergoing the Maillard reaction when combined with proteins.

Culinary Uses

Sugar functions as a fundamental ingredient across all culinary traditions, serving roles that extend far beyond simple sweetening. In baking, it modifies texture (providing moisture and tenderness), promotes browning through caramelization and the Maillard reaction, and contributes to structure through its hygroscopic properties. In confectionery, precise heating and crystallization techniques transform sugar into syrups, caramels, fondant, and pulled sugar sculptures. Sugar also functions as a preservative in jams and pickles, balances acidity in sauces, and enhances the perception of other flavors. It appears in savory applications including barbecue rubs, glazes, and Asian cooking, where balance between sweet and savory is essential.

Used In

Recipes Using sugar (2,800)

RCI-VG.004.1389.001

Sweet Soybean Milk

Soy beans play an important role in Asian cooking. The beans themselves are used, as well as flour made from dried beans, tofu made from soybean curd and soy sauce made from fermented beans.

RCI-BV.009.0080.001

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0284.001

Sweet Wine and Vanilla Peach Melba with Raspberry Sorbet

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Makes 8 servings o

RCI-DS.004.0285.001

Swiss pudding

Swiss pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.005.0060.001

Syllabub

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group * Source: My old rec

RCI-MT.001.0278.001

Szechuan-style Steamed Beef

The secret to this popular restaurant dish is to marinate the beef in a bit of oil. Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is international. Good food from all parts of the world.

RCI-DS.004.0286.001

Szilvas Gomboc

Plum dumplings

RCI-SC.007.0315.001

Taco Bell-style Taco Sauce

Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group

RCI-BV.008.0077.001

Tahitian Coffee

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm, good!!! Warms the heart!!

RCI-VG.004.1395.001

Tahu Taugé

A crispy Indonesian salad with tofu, cucumber and beansprouts. This is my favourite salad!

RCI-MT.004.0797.001

Tailgate Chicken Teriyaki

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group * This Recipe Se

RCI-VG.004.1397.001

Taiwan Chao Main

Taiwanese Special Fried Noodles

RCI-MT.005.0300.001

Taiwanese-style Meatballs with Iceberg Lettuce and Sweet Chilli Sauce

Taiwanese-style Meatballs with Iceberg Lettuce and Sweet Chilli Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.001.0272.001

Taka Challah

Taka Challah from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.005.0260.001

Tame Kimchi

It's very garlicky!! This recipe is for 6 servings.

RCI-SP.001.0137.001

Tameta Kothmir nu Shorbo

Recipe courtesy of Bal Bhadra Singh, Corporate Master Chef at Bandhani Restaurant at The Pride Hotel, Ahmedabad. Contributed by Indiancuisineandculture Y-Group ...

RCI-DS.002.0188.001

Tangerine Sorbet

Tangerine Sorbet from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SC.007.0319.001

Tangy Beer Mustard

This mustard is good with corned beef, ham, and sausages, it also makes a great gift!

RCI-SC.003.0192.001

Tangy Boiled Dressing

Tangy Boiled Dressing from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.001.0599.001

Tangy Cabbage Salad

The cabbage salad recipe is a work in progress, and I always do it to taste, and by memory, so here goes:

RCI-DS.001.0547.002

Tangy Lemon Mousse

Tangy Lemon Mousse from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0547.001

Tangy Lemon Mousse

Tangy Lemon Mousse from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.005.0046.001

Tangy Mango Marmalade

Tangy Mango Marmalade from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SN.004.0163.001

Tangy Pecans

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Love Estate in Sachse, Texas in 1984.

RCI-SC.007.0320.001

Tangy Pepper Relish

This is a recipe I obtained from an Estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Manes Estate in Venus, Texas in 1981.

RCI-SP.006.0066.001

Tangy Strawberry Soup

Fruit & Vegetable Recipes II by the South Carolina Department of Agriculture, public domain government resource—original source of recipe Serves: 6

RCI-BR.001.0273.001

Tan-mosho

Tan-mosho is a Kyrgyz national dish. Tan- mosho looks like small plaits, sprinkled with powdered sugar and are served hot with tea.

RCI-BR.003.0412.001

Tantalizing Bacon Peanut Butter Corn Bread

This recipe came from an estate sale. I obtained it when I purchased the family collection from the Steep Estate in Elmo, Texas in 1989.

RCI-SC.007.0321.001

Tanzanian Pie

Tanzanian Pie from the Recidemia collection

RCI-VG.004.1402.001

Tao Suan

One of the many Hokkien snacks that uses green beans.

RCI-DS.001.0549.001

Tapioca Pudding

Tapioca Pudding from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0550.001

Tarantela

you can put bananas, pineaple or other fruit in stead of apples.

RCI-SC.001.0059.001

Tarragon Sauce

In Romanian: Sos de tarhon

RCI-SP.001.0138.001

Tasty leaf soup

Tasty leaf soup from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.005.0617.001

Tea Cookies

Tea Cookies

RCI-BR.005.0618.001

Tea Pretzels

Tea Pretzels from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.004.0289.001

Tea Scented Melon and Pineapple Salad

Tea Scented Melon and Pineapple Salad from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BR.004.0523.001

Teisen Mel

Traditional Welsh Honeycake

RCI-DS.001.0552.001

Tembleque

Tembleque from the Recidemia collection

RCI-DS.001.0553.001

Tembleque II

Puerto Rican-style coconut pudding. This is one of the recipes that remind me of my childhood. This pudding is a very common Puerto Rican dessert. To describe it I would say that is a creamy coconut pudding, topped with cinnamon and delicious.

RCI-MT.002.0300.001

Teriyaki Pork Roast

My Mom makes this and Mom's Rosemary Pork Roast and I have tried both of them and they are delicious.

RCI-BR.001.0275.001

Tex-Mex Pizza

Contributed by Jenn B aka Mom2Sam and Tiny at World Re

RCI-MT.001.0291.001

Thai Beef Salad

Here's a salad with substance. You could serve it as a main meal, or as a starter for a Thai meal.

RCI-VG.004.1413.001

Thai Cabbage

A great way to fix cabbage! I got this from a Weight Watcher's magazine. This makes 7 servings. For weight watchers this is 1 point.

RCI-SN.003.0271.001

Thai Green Mango and Pork Platter

Thai Green Mango and Pork Platter from the Recidemia collection

RCI-BV.009.0084.001

Thai Lemonade

This is the Thai version of lemonade. Serves four.

RCI-DS.001.0560.001

Thai Red Rubies

This is a famous Thai dessert made from water chestnuts. The preparation time includes refrigeration time.

RCI-ND.005.0164.001

Thai Shrimp and Pasta Salad

Purchase pre-cooked shrimp from the seafood department to save precious minutes!

RCI-SC.006.0037.001

Thai Soynut Butter Sauce

Thai Soynut Butter Sauce from the Recidemia collection

RCI-SP.005.0260.001

Thai-style Beef Curry

Contributed by World Recipes Y-Group This Y-group is