Sugar: The Origins and Types

Let's talk about the sweet on our tables!

Across the world, one of the most famous and important additions in every kitchen is the sweet flavor of sugar. More than a product for sweetening, this element has been a part of the cultural necessities around the world for over 5000 years. From ancient methods that used it to make medicines to modern and edgy desserts, sugar has been part of the history of the world for so long that it’s practically impossible to deny its importance. For that reason, today at CoAgro Corp, we’ll be talking about this unique element, and how over the years, it has become a part of the spine that holds the world up.

What exactly is sugar?

Even if its presentations vastly differ from one another, the basics of sugar are in their composition: made out of carbohydrates, it's organic in nature and a requirement of our body. Our organism, especially the brain, relies on the consumption of sugar to function, and many other small functions in our internal organs, such as the liver, are directly affected by the use and consumption of sugar.

Over 5000 years, this ingredient has been a vital part of our diets. History records that its first consumption was on the African continent. Sugar was extracted from the sugarcane found in the land. Over the course of centuries, this product spread out through the continent and reached the Mediterranean, being commercialized by Arab merchants and eventually reaching Europe. Back then, the use of this element was not so frequent in the kitchens, but more on the apothecaries, where it was a primary ingredient to fabricate medicine. Later on, when it was introduced as an essential element in the household, and with the colonization and industrial growth, it became an industry of millions of dollars a year.

This industry has also experienced growth in the origin, as originally it came only from sugarcane. But around 1700, it was discovered that beets also carried a high amount of sugar and they could be harvested in environments where the source could not be produced without strenuous efforts. For that reason, the current market is composed of sugar derived from either sugarcane or beet.

What are the types of sugar?

Without a doubt, one of the questioning marks for everyone is what kinds of sugar there are in the world right now. To simplify the answer, we’ll divide it in the best way possible, as there are thousands of different derivations of the traditional sugar. But even if its origins differ, there are central sections in which you could divide it, according to the purity and processing of said element.

White sugar: It’s the ordinary sugar that people have in their kitchens. It’s refined and often comes in a variety of white tonalities. It’s used for many things, and it comes whether in powder or cubes.

Molasses: It’s the residue that’s left after processing the sugar. Rich in color and with a strong flavor, it’s used to produce liquors, and it’s basic to make other manufactured products.

Glass sugar: It’s more refined than ordinary white sugar, and it’s mostly used in dessert making. The composition of this sugar tends to have a lighter flavor, and it’s not recommended to use it as white sugar.

Brown sugar: With a brown coloration and higher density, this type of sugar contains the molasses that are frequently taken away from white sugar. Its richness in flavor and extra-sweetness make it a vital ingredient for desserts and other preparations.

Do you know anything special about sugar that you can’t wait to share? Here at CoAgro Corp, we bring you the best sugar from around the world, helping your business create a product that fits with the standards of a modern consumer. Make sure to use quality in quantity with our help! Contact us to see the variety of importation products we have to offer!

From plants to tubercles, sugar makes a long trip to be at your table.

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