White Sugar vs Caster Sugar
The difference between white sugar and caster sugar will help you understand why some recipes are specific about the sugar type. We are all aware of the table sugar that is used commonly in all households. It is commonly known as white sugar. However, there are many other types of sugars that are finer than this common sugar that is available in the form of crystals. One such type of sugar is caster sugar. Caster sugar is a superfine sugar that looks almost like a powder. This is one main difference between white sugar and caster sugar. However, there are more than physical differences between white sugar and caster sugar that will be discussed in this article.
What is White Sugar?
White sugar is the normal white color sugar we all use at home. White sugar, however, is not the first direct product of sugarcane. When sugarcane is harvested it is brought to the factory. At the factory, first, machines crush the sugarcane plants to extract the juices. Then, lime is added to this juice. This is done to gain the necessary pH level and also to remove any impurities present. This mixture is evaporated. Then, what is left is passed through a centrifuge to produce crystals. Those crystals are raw sugar. Raw sugar is the first product from sugarcane. Then, to make white sugar, sulfur dioxide is added to cane juice before it gets evaporated. This gas does the bleaching of the juice so that it does not turn brown and produces white sugar. At later stages, phosphoric acid, calcium hydroxide or carbon dioxide is added to absorb impurities. This juice is then filtered through a bed of carbon and then crystallized in a vacuum many times. Finally, the crystals are left to dry on their own to get paper white crystals of sugar.
The white sugar made in this manner is used for daily needs such as making tea and coffee. Also, white sugar is used in difference recipes. This white sugar has many varieties such as Coarse Grain, Granulated Sugar (Table Sugar), Caster Sugar (Superfine Sugar), Confectioner’s Sugar (Powdered Sugar), and Lump Sugar (Sugar Cubes).
What is Caster Sugar?
Caster sugar is one of the many varieties of white sugar. So small are the grains of caster sugar that they can pass through a sprinkler or a caster which is why this type of superfine sugar is called caster sugar. Interestingly, it is called superfine sugar when marketed in the US. People in British Columbia call it berry sugar. Such is the fineness of caster sugar that it dissolves in liquids within seconds without the need to stir the liquid. This is why it is loved by those using meringues and other cold liquids. Caster sugar is also used to make mousses and custards. It is different from confectioner’s sugar as it is prepared with the help of a blender. It can be produced at home if you churn your white sugar in a food processor for a few seconds. But wait for a few moments before opening the jar to let the sugar dust settle.
Caster sugar is used in making custards.
What is the difference between White Sugar and Caster Sugar?
• White sugar is the one type of sugar produced by the extracts of sugarcane. It has many varieties and caster sugar is a one of those varieties.
• In daily life, white sugar refers to the table sugar we use for every purpose. Caster sugar is also known as superfine sugar in US.
• Caster sugar has smaller sugar crystals than white sugar.
• Because of the fineness, Caster sugar dissolves much more quickly than white sugar and hence is very useful in meringues and other cold liquids.
• White sugar is used for food and to make beverages. Caster sugar is used to make meringues, mousses, and custards.
• You can make caster sugar at home by simply putting table sugar to a food processor and grinding. Before you open the food processor after grinding, wait until the sugar dust settles down.
As you can see, white sugar and caster sugar are different. They have different purposes. They have different appearances when it comes to the size of the sugar crystals. One main fact remains common to both. Too much consumption of either will give you health problems such as diabetes.
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