Smoothy Slim
Smoothy Slim
Photo: Artem Zhukov
Turbinado sugar is partially refined sugar that retains some of the original molasses from the sugarcane and has a subtle caramel flavor. It may cost up to three times as much as white sugar.
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Learn More »Turbinado sugar has a golden-brown color and consists of large crystals. It is available in supermarkets and natural foods stores, and some coffee shops provide it in single-serve packets. You may wonder if this rustic-looking sugar is better for you and can replace white sugar. This article explains what turbinado sugar is and how to use it. Share on Pinterest What Is Turbinado Sugar? Turbinado sugar is partially refined sugar that retains some of the original molasses, giving it a subtle caramel flavor. It’s made from sugarcane — a non-genetically modified crop, some of which is organically grown. Sometimes, turbinado sugar is called raw sugar — a marketing term implying that it’s minimally processed. However, despite this name, the sugar is not really “raw.” According to the FDA, the initial stages of sugar processing yield raw sugar, but raw sugar isn’t suitable for consumption as it’s contaminated with soil and other impurities. Turbinado sugar has been cleaned of this debris and is further refined, meaning that it isn’t raw ( 1 ). Another reason that turbinado sugar isn’t raw, is that the production includes boiling sugarcane juice to thicken and crystalize it. Notably, turbinado sugar comes with a higher price tag than white sugar — generally costing two to three times more. Summary Turbinado sugar is partially refined sugar that retains some of the original molasses from the sugarcane and has a subtle caramel flavor. It may cost up to three times as much as white sugar. Nutritionally Similar to White Sugar White sugar and turbinado sugar each have 16 calories and 4 grams of carbs per teaspoon (about 4 grams) but no fiber ( 2 ). Turbinado sugar contains trace amounts of calcium and iron, but you won’t even get 1% of your reference daily intake (RDI) for these minerals per teaspoon ( 2 , 3 ). It also provides antioxidants from the molasses left behind during processing — but the amounts are relatively small ( 4 ). For example, you would have to eat 5 cups (1,025 grams) of turbinado sugar to get the same amount of antioxidants as in a 2/3 cup (100 grams) of blueberries ( 2 , 5 ). Health organizations advise limiting your intake of added sugars to 10% or less of your daily calories — which equals 12.5 teaspoons (50 grams) of sugar if you need 2,000 calories a day. However, the less sugar you eat, the better ( 6 ). A higher intake of added sugars is linked to negative health effects, such as an increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and worsening memory — not to mention its role in promoting tooth decay ( 7 , 8 , 9 ). Therefore, consider turbinado sugar a flavor enhancer to use occasionally in small amounts, rather than a source of nutrition. Summary Turbinado sugar matches white sugar for calories and carbs. The small amounts of minerals and antioxidants it provides are relatively insignificant. Like other types of sugar, it’s best used only in small amounts. Processing of Brown Sugars Sugar goes through many processing steps. This includes pressing juice from the sugarcane, which is boiled in large steam evaporators to form crystals and spun in a turbine to remove liquid molasses ( 10 ). Whereas white sugar has virtually all of the molasses removed and goes through further refining to remove traces of color, only molasses on the surface of turbinado sugar crystals is removed. This generally leaves less than 3.5% molasses by weight. In contrast, brown sugar is typically made by adding molasses in precise amounts to white sugar. Light brown sugar contains 3.5% molasses, while dark brown sugar has 6.5% molasses ( 10 ). Both types of brown sugar are moister than turbinado sugar due to the additional molasses and have smaller crystals ( 10 ). Two other types of brown sugars are demerara and muscovado, which are minimally refined and retain some of the original molasses. Demerara sugar has crystals that are larger and lighter in color than turbinado sugar. It generally contains 1–2% molasses. Muscovado sugar is very dark brown and has fine, soft crystals that are sticky. It contains 8–10% molasses, giving it a stronger flavor. Summary Brown sugars — including turbinado, demerara, muscovado, and light and dark brown sugar — vary in their degree of processing, content of molasses, and the crystal size.
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Learn More »How to Use Turbinado Sugar You can use turbinado sugar for general sweetening purposes, but it is an especially useful topping for foods, as the large crystals hold up well under heat. Turbinado sugar works well to: Top hot cereals, such as oatmeal and cream of wheat.
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Learn More »Adjust the recipe to add moisture, such as with honey or applesauce — otherwise, your baked goods may become dry. To use demerara in place of turbinado sugar and vice versa: You can generally substitute one for the other in recipes without making special adjustments since these are similar in texture and flavor. You can generally substitute one for the other in recipes without making special adjustments since these are similar in texture and flavor. To replace muscovado with turbinado (or demerara) sugar: Add a small amount of molasses to turbinado sugar to replicate the flavor and moistness of muscovado sugar. Summary You can generally replace white sugar in a recipe with turbinado, though it may slightly alter the color, flavor, and texture of the final product. Using turbinado sugar in place of other brown-colored sugars may require adjustments for moisture.
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