Sugar — Nutrients, Health Benefits, And Shopping Tips

Granulated sugar should be sparkling white and free-flowing, without any clumps. It should dissolve smoothly in liquids, providing sweetness without any aftertaste. Each crystal should be uniform in size and appearance.

Avoid sugar that appears yellowed or has a musty odor; these conditions suggest contamination or exposure to moisture. Sugar that clumps or smells off should also be avoided, as it may affect the taste and quality of your culinary creations.

Sugar should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Keeping it in the pantry helps maintain its granulated form and prevents clumping. Properly stored, sugar can last indefinitely.

Exposure to moisture can cause sugar to harden and form lumps. Avoid storing it near heat sources or in humid environments. Always ensure the container is tightly sealed to prevent contamination and maintain its quality.

Sugar can last indefinitely when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Proper storage helps maintain its quality and prevents clumping.

Leftover sugar can be used in a variety of culinary and non-culinary ways. In the kitchen, sugar is essential for baking, sweetening beverages, and making desserts. It’s used in everything from cakes and cookies to jams and jellies. Sugar can also be used to balance the acidity in savory dishes or to create caramel for sauces and toppings.

Beyond cooking, sugar has several practical uses. It can be used in DIY beauty treatments, such as mixing it with oil or honey to create an exfoliating body scrub. Sugar can also be used in crafting to make edible decorations for cakes and cookies, or in homemade play dough for kids. Additionally, sugar can be used in gardening to help flowers stay fresh longer when a small amount is added to the water in a vase. Sugar is also effective in removing stains from clothing when mixed with water to form a paste and applied to the stained area before washing.