Difference Between

Brown Sugar vs Raw Sugar

We have all heard and even used brown sugar at one time or other in our kitchens but what is this raw sugar? Well, brown sugar is nothing but molasses reintroduced to white sugar thus changing its color and also flavor. Raw sugar is also brown in color and also called natural brown sugar. First crystallization of cane produces raw sugar. It is then refined to remove molasses to finally produce white sugar that we use commonly in our daily life for sweetening our drinks or to make recipes like cakes and biscuits. Let us take a closer look at raw sugar and brown sugar.

Manufacturers use refined white sugar to make it brown sugar. This is done by reintroducing molasses, mostly keeping it to 3.5% to 6.5% by volume. Remember, the brown sugar so produced is not natural as opposed to common perception that it is natural. However, raw sugar is natural.

Let us now see how raw sugar is made. First of all, sugarcane is pressed and mixed with lime. The liquid so obtained is then reduced through simple evaporation, allowing them to crystallize. These crystals, light brown in color, are then spun in a centrifuge to allow them to separate. Finally, these crystals are left to dry on their own. These crystals have a slightly light brown color because of the presence of molasses. This is the sugar that is called raw sugar.

The raw sugar is first refined to get white sugar and then turned into brown sugar by adding molasses. You can make your own brown sugar at home by adding molasses syrup to white sugar. However, one cannot hope to make raw sugar as there are only white and brown sugars available in the market to experiment with.

What is the difference between Brown Sugar and Raw Sugar?

Talking of differences between brown sugar and raw sugar, while raw sugar is natural and free from harmful chemicals and dyes, brown sugar, as it is made from white sugar makes use of many chemicals such as formic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfur dioxide, flocculants, preservatives, bleaching agents and viscosity modifiers. As far as nutritional value is concerned, raw sugar contains higher levels of minerals than brown sugar. Both raw as well as brown sugars come under different brand names having their own characteristics and properties.