What is brown sugar ?

Brown sugar is actually a white sugar with additional molasses to make it brown. Otherwise it is the same
as white sugar. It is a very popular type of sugar that is considered around the world because of its health
benefits and different properties than regular crystallized white sugar. Since it is manufactured in a
different chemical process than white sugar, it has a different chemical structure and our bodies react little
differently to this. This subtle difference makes brown sugar very attractive to the people who want to
rebalance their diet, get healthy and gain some of its many benefits.
Apart from brown sugar it is also known as cane sugar, raw sugar, whole cane sugar. Its production does
not involve refining process. Unlike white or refined sugar, brown sugar is produced directly from sugar
cane juice, which is factually boiled and left to cool and crystallize over time. Crystallization of brown
sugar takes a lot of time, at times up to months. The major features of brown sugar are its brown color
and strong taste, which is actually due to the presence of molasses. Refined sugar can also be turned
into brown sugar by simply adding molasses in balanced amounts.

Basically, brown sugar consists of between 3% to 7% molasses as is naturally moist. Brown sugar
particles are in most cases less granulated than white sugar particles. Nutritionally, brown sugar has a
lower calorie value mainly because of the presence of water. It however packs more densely than white
sugar. It does not contain any fats at all. There are different types of brown sugar, depending on the
manufacturing process. Light and dark are the two most common styles of brown sugar. In general, the
lighter the brown sugar, the more delicate the flavor. Very dark or old-fashioned brown sugar has a more
strong molasses flavor. Both granulated and liquid brown sugar is also now available.

History

Sugar cane was first cultivated in southwest Asia, where Marco Polo reported in his famous journals that
the Chinese used dark brown sugar freely, but did not refine it further. Sugar cultivation spread to the
Middle East and the Mediterranean trade circle in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. In the fourteenth
century, the island of Cyprus in the Mediterranean was the location of major sugar farms, using Syrian
and Arab slaves as labor. Sugar cane cultivation was made a science in the fifteenth century in Sicily,
with the invention of the roller mill, which speeded up the cane processing and freed up slaves to increase
the volume of sugar refined. In those times, brown sugar was a byproduct of the sugar refining, and was
not used widely in cooking until the sixteenth century.

Brown sugar came into popular use with the rise of European sugar plantations in the Caribbean in the
1700s. It was widely used as a sweetener in England and its American colonies, because it was much
cheaper than white sugar. The use and export of brown sugar from the islands rose in conjunction with
the infamous “triangle trade.” The Triangle trade refers to a three-legged trade route that saw much
intercontinental shipping trade in the 1600s and 1700s. Manufactured goods were traded from Europe to
Africa, where men, women and children were enslaved and taken to the Caribbean islands, where they
were sold as slaves to Southern colonies or island plantations, the second leg of the triangle, or the
“Middle Passage.” The third leg was to trade slave-produced goods like sugar, tea, cotton, tobacco and
coffee to the colonies and back to Europe.

Brown sugar is a sucrose sugar product with a distinctive brown color due to the presence of molasses.
It is either an unrefined or partially refined soft sugar consisting of sugar crystals with some residual
molasses content (natural brown sugar), or it is produced by the addition of molasses to refined white
sugar (commercial brown sugar).

Brown sugar or soft sugar :

a) Brown sugar is a value-added specialty product that has wide popularity in North America. The
name is derived from the texture or mouth feels of the product which should be smooth and velvety as
opposed to the hard, gritty feel of granulated sugar.
b) This texture is the result of a very fine crystalline structure coated in highly flavored syrup.
Brown sugar is made by boiling fine crystals from various purified and relatively low purity syrups in a
vacuum pan. The mass of crystals, ranging from 180 to 240 microns, is covered with the layer of
colored, molasses flavored syrup.
c) The value of brown sugar is unique flavor and colour.
d) These characteristics of brown sugar are low in total color, free of the greenish casts imparted by
polyphenols of iron, relatively low in purity, low in ash, and high in invert sugar.
e) Brown sugar also called soft sugar.
Types of Brown Sugar

The Four Main Types of Brown Sugar are listed below

1. Dark, golden (yellow) and light

These are the brown sugars most often found in grocery stores and used for everyday consumption. The
color is a reflection of molasses content (3.5% for the lightest up to 6.5% for the darkest). These brown
sugars are made by adding molasses to refined white sugar.

2. Demerara

This unrefined medium-brown sugar is named for the Demerara region of Guyana, South America, where
it originated. Sugarcane juice is boiled until the water evaporates, leaving behind sugar crystals that
contain molasses, which are then spun in a centrifuge to remove more moisture.

3. Muscovado

This is an unrefined, very dark brown sugar with a strong molasses flavor. Sugarcane juice is heated,
pan-evaporated and then pounded into the final product. Muscovado brown sugar retains all the natural
minerals of sugarcane.

4. Turbinado
A light colored, crystalline brown sugar, turbinado is made from sugarcane juice that has been heat-
evaporated then crystallized. Excess moisture and molasses are removed by spinning the crystals in a
centrifuge, resulting in a sugar that is more honey-like than Demerara.

Nutritional Value

Apart from their sweet taste, brown sugar is a good source of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
Consuming 145 gram of brown sugar offers 142.23 g of Carbohydrate, 1.03 mg of Iron, 120 mg of
Calcium, 0.068 mg of Copper, 0.059 mg of Vitamin B6, 193 mg of Potassium, 0.093 mg of Manganese,
0.191 mg of Vitamin B5, 13 mg of Magnesium, 1.7 µg of Selenium, 41 mg of Sodium, 0.16 mg of Vitamin
B3 and 6 mg of Phosphorus.

Brown sugar making Process:

Brown or Soft sugar can be boiled, in the traditional manner, by direct from dark, low- purity syrups
obtained during the refining process, or blended by coating very fine granulated sugar crystals with
refined syrup.

1. Boiling soft sugar method.

2. Blended soft sugar method.
Boiling soft sugar method:
a) Boiled sugars can be further subdivided into agglomerated grain and single-crystal styles.
Characteristics of Starting Materials
b) The boiling scheme in which 40% of the strike is composed of runoff syrup from the previous strike
requires only 1.2 tonnes of 3300 color syrup at 88 purity to produce 1 tonne of soft. Since this material is
of a higher starting purity, lower material costs and less equipment are required for purification.
c) A suitable starting material can usually be prepared from a blend of 85% fourth runoff syrup and 15%
B molasses, giving a yellow liquor of approximately 88 purity and 12,000 ICUMSA
Single-crystal styles
a) Single grain sugars are boiled in such a way as to give uniform single crystals between 180 and 240
Crystal size distributions less than this gives a muddy or mottled appearance and difficulty in purging.
b) Larger crystals give a gritty appearance and “hard” texture to the finished product. Because of the
single-grain nature of the product, there is a limited amount of crystal surface area to carry the syrup. As a
result, this type of sugar rarely has nonsucrose content much greater than 50/0.
c) It is possible to increase the overall surface area slightly by creating a second crop of sugar crystals
partway through the strike by seeding a second time. This will create a second, smaller distribution of
crystals within the original massecuite.
d) Quantity and size of this second crop must be carefully controlled in order not to pack the centrifugals
and prevent proper purging.
The technique for boiling such a strike is usually divided into three stages:
1. Boiling-down charge
2. Graining charge, and
3. Final charge.
The boiling-down charge is divided into two separate charges, the first having a slightly lower purity
than after the first crop of sugar crystals has been established to the desired size, a second charge of
higher purity is given and a second crop of crystal is introduced.
The first charge can have a purity of 89 and can be followed by a second charge of 94 purity to give an
overall charge purity of 91. The final charge is introduced as a dilutent to restore fluidity to the massecuite
and reduce the overall purity of the final massecuite.
Agglomerated crystal styles:
Agglomerated style soft sugar is made up of very fine sugar crystals between 50 and 75microns in
size which have been allowed to fuse together in the pan to produce stable particles between 500 and
1000 microns. This produces a final product with a much greater amount of surface area which can still
be purged efficiently in a batch centrifugal to produce a soft sugar containing 8 to 11% nonsucrose.
In addition agglomerated softs have an almost free flowing appearance and can readily be packaged in
high-speed packaging equipment with relative ease.

Blended soft sugar method :

a) Soft sugars can also be prepared by blending selected refinery syrups with granulated sugar on a
continuous basis. Proponents of blending cite the following advantages of this type of production facility; It
automatically meets the changing throughput requirements of the packing station.
b) It reduces load on purification equipment and materials such as ion exchange and filter presses.
c) It provides more flexible scheduling for both the process and packing departments, based on crew
availability as opposed to pan availability.
d) It allows for tighter tolerances in product quality control.
e) In general, soft sugar blending offers a lower capital-cost alternative to boiling in cases where
expanded or new capacity is required. Maintenance costs associated with the blending equipment can
also be expected to be less than that associated with vacuum pans, mixers, and batch centrifugals.
Blending also offers the potential to make limited runs of special or custom-coated products, either by
color or by panic size.

Is Brown Sugar Better than White Sugar?

If you are a health conscious person, chances are that you take your diet very seriously. Everything you
eat, or buy at the grocery store, is bought knowing the health benefits of each item. Every time you eat
out, your portions are measured and choices deliberate. Chances are you have picked up many healthy
habits along the way and make sure you abide by them all the time. Is giving up on white sugar and
switching to brown sugar one of these 'healthy choices'? A lot has been said and written about the
adverse effects of consuming white sugar on a regular basis. All this negative publicity has made it's
darker cousin - brown sugar - look so much better in comparison. However, is there really a difference
between the two and is brown sugar, in fact, a better alternative? Here's what you need to know.

Brown Sugar vs. Raw Sugar

The brown sugar called for in baking recipes is different from raw sugar . They both have a brown color,
though raw sugar tends to be lighter and more golden. Raw sugar still contains the residues of molasses
left over from the refining process, whereas molasses is added to white sugar to create brown sugar. Raw
sugar's sucrose crystals are generally slightly larger and the sugar is less moist in texture. Varieties of
natural brown sugar include turbinado, muscovado, and demerara.

The two sugars have similar nutritional values and are used in similar cooking applications. Brown sugar
is typically reserved for baking, candy, sauces, and on top of hot cereals. Raw sugar is used more like
whitesugar for baking, cooking, drink sweetener, and condiments. Where raw sugar is a better substitute
for white granulated sugar, brown sugar's fine crystals make it more suitable as an alternative .

Varieties
The amount of molasses added to the white sugar determines what type of brown sugar is produced:

● Light Brown Sugar: This is the most common type used for baking. Recipes that call for brown
sugar without specifying either light or dark generally require light brown sugar. Light brown sugar
contains approximately 3.5 percent molasses by weight.

● Dark Brown Sugar: Dark brown sugar is approximately 6.5 percent molasses by weight and is
used when an extra rich flavor or color is desired.

● Liquid Brown Sugar: Domino Sugar, a predominant sugar manufacturer in the United States,
used to produce a liquid brown sugar product. Although the product is no longer available, many
older recipes still include this ingredient. To make a substitute for liquid brown sugar at home,
combine one part water with three parts light brown sugar. The mixture may need to be heated
slightly for the sugar to fully dissolve.
Brown Sugar Uses
Brown sugar is used very similarly to granulated white sugar, but it provides a touch of extra flavor.
Sincemolasses is hygroscopic (able to absorb water), brown sugar and the baked goods made with it
retain moisture well.

Common uses for brown sugar include sweetening baked goods, sauces, marinades, and even bacon.
It's also made into a sugar syrup, often with spices, to flavor beverages. Thanks to the granules and
slightly acidic pH (as well as its sweet smell), brown sugar has also become a popular ingredient in body
scrubs.

How to Cook With Brown Sugar

Brown sugar requires no special preparation and can be used directly from the package. When
measuring brown sugar, pack it tightly in the measuring cup or spoon. The extra moisture makes it difficult
to accurately measure otherwise. Additionally, it's heavier than white sugar but lighter than most raw
sugar. When using weight measurements, 1 cup is equivalent to 220 grams (white sugar is 200 grams
and raw sugar is 250 grams).

It is typically mixed in with the recipe's other ingredients. In some baked recipes, including many for
cookies, brown sugar is paired with white sugar. Brown sugar may also be heated on the stovetop to
create candy or glazes. For these, you'll often stir it into a liquid until it's dissolved and use low heat to
prevent burning.

What Does It Taste Like?

Brown sugar, in general, tastes like crystallized molasses or toffee. The taste of dark brown sugar is often
likened to caramel with a deep molasses flavor, while light brown sugar is milder and less complex.

Storage
Brown sugar must be kept in an airtight container in order to retain its moisture content. When exposed to
air, it may harden as the moisture slowly evaporates out. Some people prefer a canister, though you can
also place the opened package in a plastic zip-top bag. As long as it's properly stored, brown sugar really
doesn't have a shelf life, though the quality is best when used within 2 years.

Hardened brown sugar can be softened by adding a slice of bread, a few marshmallows, or an apple
wedge to the container and sealing it tightly. Within a few hours, the molasses will have absorbed some of
the moisture and the sugar will be soft again.

Nutrition and Benefits

Nutritionally, brown sugar is a little better off than white sugar because molasses naturally retains a few
minerals. However, with the small amount of molasses in brown sugar, that's minimal. It does have a little
more calcium, iron, and potassium than white sugar. One teaspoon of brown sugar has 15 calories,
compared to white sugar's 16.3 calories.
Adulterants in Brown sugar Brown sugar was tested for starch, metanil yellow, chalk powder and
washing soda presence or not in it.

Starch Iodine solution was put down on brown sugar. Appearance of blue color showed the presence of
starch in brown sugar was done by method expressed in FSSAI.

Metanil yellow (Non-permitted) 10 grams of brown sugar was dissolved in a glass of water and 5 ml from
this solution of brown sugar was added in a test tube. Then few drops of concentrated hydrochloric acid
are added to it.

Appearance of pink color in lower layers showed the presence of non-permitted color was done by
following the method of FSSAI (2012).

Chalk powder 10 grams of brown sugar was dissolved in a glass of water and allowed it to settle and
chalk was present; it settled down at the bottom was done by method expressed in FSSAI (2012).

Adulteration in Brown Sugar

A sweet crystalline or powdered substance, white when pure, consisting of sucrose obtained mainly from
sugarcane and sugar beets and used in many foods, drinks, and medicines to improve their taste..

Common Adulterants of Brown Sugar

● Chalk powder
● Washing soda
● White sand
● Plastic crystals
● Urea
● White/ Yellow color
● Insects
● Rawa/ Suji
● Stones
● Metanil yellow
● Bacterial, fungal contamination
●
●

Chalk Powder

Chalk is a soft fine-grained white sedimentary rock consisting of nearly pure calcium carbonate,
containing minute fossil fragments of marine organisms, usually without a

cementing material. It is used as an adulterant in sugar to increase its weight, to improve its color, etc.

Side Effects On Human

In one sense, the main ingredients of this dust are non-toxic, which simply means they do not pose a
threat when ingested. In another sense, this material can and does accumulate in the human respiratory
system, which means it can create long-term health problems due to overexposure. In short, swallowing a
piece of white chalk won’t kill a person, but breathing in the dust for a number of years can create or
trigger respiratory problems. It can also cause stomach disorder. Calcium carbonate accumulation causes
a kidney stones. Dietary calcium binds with oxalate in the gut and also in the urine, thus forming a
compound that cannot be absorbed. If your dietary intake of calcium is low, this allows more free oxalate
to be absorbed in the gut and excreted via the urine. For those who form calcium oxalate kidney stones,
reducing dietary calcium would therefore increase stone risk.

Washing powder cause diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.

Detection of Chalk Powder/ Washing Powder

1. Dissolve 10 gm of sample in a glass of water, allow settling, Chalk will settle down at the
bottom
2. To a small amount of sugar in a test-tube, add a few drops of HCL. Brisk effervescence of
CO2 shows the presence of chalk powder or washing soda in the given sample.

CaCO3 + 2 HCl ———-> CaCl2 + H2O + CO2

Na2CO3 + 2 HCl ——> 2 NaCl + H2O + CO2

Various insoluble substances

Adulteration of various insoluble Substances in sugar can cause serious problems as it can cause kidney
stones.

Detection

Take a small amount of sugar in a test-tube and shake it with little water. Pure sugar dissolves in water.
But insoluble impurities do not dissolve.

● Urea

Urea is a white crystalline powder with a cooling saline taste. Urea occurs naturally in mammals and is an
excretory end-product of amino acid metabolism. Urea is formed in the liver.

Uremia – kidney failure – causes a buildup of urea in the blood as the kidney eliminates urea from the
blood into the bladder. The specific effects of Urea on cell metabolism are probably numerous as the
symptoms: anorexia and lethargy, and late symptoms can include decreased mental acuity and coma.
Other symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, cold, bone pain, itch, shortness of breath, and
seizures.

Detection: On dissolving in water, it gives a smell of ammonia.

Health Benefits of Brown Sugar
Brown sugar contains slightly more minerals than refined white sugar, but only due to the molasses
content, according to the USDA. Per 100 grams (about 3.5 ounces), white sugar contains 387 calories, no
magnesium, 2 milligrams of potassium and 1 milligram of calcium. On the other hand, brown sugar
contains 380 calories, 9 milligrams of magnesium, 133 milligrams of potassium and 83 milligrams of
calcium for the same amount. However, don't expect to see much in terms of tangible health benefits,
since these differences are pretty much negligible — and we're still talking about sugar, after all.

Brown sugar is a very popular type of sugar that is regarded around the world because of its health
benefits and different properties than regular crystalized white sugar. Because brown sugar is
manufactured in a different chemical process than white sugar, it has a different chemical structure and
our bodies react little differently to this. This subtle difference makes brown sugar very attractive to the
people who want to rebalance their diet, get healthy and gain some of its many benefits.

Nutritious structure

Brown sugar is made by allowing some of the sugary molasses to remain in its structure, thus enriching
leaving the final product in a more natural state that is not enriched with industrial additives (such as
sulphur dioxide, phosphoric acid, calcium hydroxide, and activated carbon). Those additives are not
needed to be present in the sugar, and their presence disturbs the smell and the color of natural sugar.
Additionally, the industrial process that removes all traces of molasses removes almost all presence of
calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, that can all help your body reach mineral
equilibrium.

Moister

Presence of the molasses in the brown sugar gives it more moisture, which enables you to have much
more freedom in designing your food recipes that will give you denser and moisture products.

More flavors and textures

Any competent cook can tell you that refined white sugar has very little of its own flavor and texture, but
many variations of brown sugar are full of it. Some of the brown sugars that are famous because of their
taste are Turbinado, Barbados, Muscovado and Demerara.
Sweetness ration

Brown and white sugars have almost the same sweetness ration, and they can be mixed or changed one
for another in your recipes. Experiment a little with them, and see for yourself what new flavors will be
brought with many brown sugar brands.

Skin protection

The natural texture of brown sugar resembles one of wet sand but is more abrasive and able to remove
only dead skin cells and materials that clog the pores from your body. Because of that it can be used
successfully as a skin treatment, slight moisturizer, and vitamin B enricher that will protect your skin from
aging effects.

Calorie content and blood benefits

Same as white sugar, brown sugar can also boost your body’s energy for short periods of time, giving you
temporary strength and wake up in the moments when you feel weak. However, because it has no
nutrients, sugars can only provide energy in short periods, after which we are left wanting for more. This
effect is caused by the lowering levels of the naturally made hormone serotonin.

Health benefits of Brown Sugar

Sugar comes in two forms, known as brown sugar and white sugar. Brown sugar is prepared from the
juice of sugarcane. Brown sugar is very popular around the world because of its health benefits. The
small amount of molasses present in brown sugar provides the sugar its flavor and color. Below you will
find the top health benefits of brown sugar

1. Completely Free of Chemicals

Unlike white sugar, brown sugar is totally free of chemicals because its manufacturing does not need the
molasses which are essential in the manufacturing of white sugar. Brown sugar is prepared from the juice
of sugarcane and it contains only a small amount of molasses, which offers the brown sugar its color and
flavor.
2. Has Important Minerals For The Body

Minerals found in brown sugar are from the molasses added to the sugar, molasses is a good source of
important minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium, one teaspoon of brown sugar with your
tea everyday gives you 20% of your daily requirements of iron and Calcium, indeed molasses is actually
used to prevent or treat anemia during pregnancy.

3. Eases Menstrual Cramps

Potassium found in molasses which is mixed with the sugar to make brown sugar helps in relaxing the
muscles including the Uterine muscle and eases contractions that occur during the menstruation that
causes cramps, you can take it in its natural form or mix it with some ginger tea for a boosted benefit,
however be aware of the calories you are consuming.

4. Used for skin Care

Besides providing flavor to dishes, brown sugar is extremely beneficial for skin care. It is an important
ingredient in a number of skin care products. It helps in softening the skin and it also helps in removing
the dirt and dead skin cells.

5. Help in Preventing Obesity

Brown sugar is considered to be extremely beneficial for your health as it helps in preventing obesity
because it contains fewer calories as compared to white sugar.

6. Natural Energy Boost

Just like white sugar, brown sugar will provide you with a natural energy boost for a short period of time,
giving your temporary strength and helping you to wake up when you feel weak. However, since it has
little or no nutrients, white or brown sugar can only provide you with energy for a short period of time.
After which you are left wanting more. This effect is caused by the lowering levels of the hormone
serotonin.

7. Help in Improving Digestion

Brown sugar is considered to be extremely beneficial for your digestive system as it helps in improving
digestive system health. Drinking water boiled with slices of ginger and some brown sugar is extremely
helpful for treating constipation.

8. Fast first aid

If you nicked yourself shaving and don’t have antiseptic on hand, reach for the sweet stuff—it can help
heal minor cuts in a pinch. “Brown sugar acts as an anti-inflammatory, and its anti-microbial properties
may prevent infection,” says Starre Vartan, author of The Eco Chick Guide to Life.

Clean the wound with soap and water, and then pack a little brown sugar onto the cut. Put a Band-Aid
over it and leave on for a few hours; repeat once or twice over the course of 36 hours. You’ll be on the
mend before you know it.

9. Beneficial for Pregnant Women

Brown sugar is considered to be very good for women to recover fast after delivery. It takes a lot of time
for women to recover after delivery, but, consuming brown sugar helps in reducing faster.

10. Help in the Treatment of Uterine Contractions

Since ancient times, brown sugar has been considered to be very beneficial for women suffering from
uterine contractions as consuming brown sugar is considered to be a very effective medicine for treating
painful uterine contractions.
11. Provides Relief from Cold

Since long time brown sugar has been used as an effective remedy for treating cold. Just boil some water
by adding a few slices of ginger and some brown sugar to it and consume it for instant relief from the cold.

12. Provide Protection to the Skin

Besides giving a glow to your skin, brown sugar is also extremely beneficial in hydrating and moisturizing
your skin and reducing any swelling present on your skin. It also helps in regenerating the skin cells and
making your skin lively. It also protects the skin cells from damage.

13. Natural Gas Remedy for Infants

Not everyone is going to suggest this but if you add a small baby spoonful (about a half a teaspoon) to a
bottle filled with water and give it to your baby, it will provide them with the same effects as Mylicon drops
or other types of gas relief products. It is a natural remedy for colicky babies and can help to soothe their
tummies which may help them sleep more throughout the night. It has also been known to help with
constipation, though the extra water may be the biggest benefit there.

14. Can Prevent Asthma

The benefits of brown sugar first are to prevent asthma. For people with asthma are recommended to
replace white sugar with brown sugar. This is caused to have anti-allergic properties. At the time of
waking body condition, asthma can be overcome and are not easy to relapse.

1. Leg Scrub

Exfoliate dead skin cells by applying slightly wet granulated brown sugar beforehand in a circular motion,
then rinsing. This helps the razor get a closer cut. This trick can be used while beard and moustache
shaving too.
2. Body Scrub

Brown sugar also has antibacterial properties and glycolic acid that keeps your skin radiant and healthy.
You need 1/2 cup ground coffee, 1/2 cup organic brown sugar, 1/4 cup coconut oil and 1 teaspoon
ground cinnamon. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl until well combined. If your coconut oil is
solid, mildly heat it until it melts, but wait for it to go back to room temperature before adding the other
ingredients. This is to make sure that your scrubs don’t dissolve in the oil! Once mixed, store your scrub in
an air-tight container. Use on your entire body for great exfoliation.

3. Scalp Scrub

Combine organic brown sugar with olive oil into a bowl and massage into your scalp with your fingertips
for about three minutes prior to cleansing your hair.

4. Soft Lips

Put a little water on your finger, then dip it in granulated sugar and gently apply it in a circular motion to
lips to exfoliate them. This is the perfect trick to do in a pinch when your lips are dry or flaky.

5. Foot Scrub

Mix brown sugar and peppermint oil, then scrub the mixture onto the bottom of your feet while in the
shower for an at-home pedicure scrub that sloughs off dead cells and dryness. The peppermint oil has a
cooling effect on your skin, making it perfect for those hot summer months.

6. Face Scrub

All you need for brown sugar and honey face scrub is ½ cup of brown sugar, ½ cup of honey (Manuka or
plain, depending on what you have at home), 1 tablespoon of coconut or olive oil and 1 drop of an
essential oil you love (lavender, bergamot, rose, jasmine and geranium are fantastic). Mix all the
ingredients in a bowl. Once that is done, apply it to your skin and massage using circular motions. Rinse
off the scrub with warm water, and then, take a warm wash cloth and press it on your skin. Do not forget
to moisturize when you are done. This helps create a smoother skin and lends a youthful glow.

7. Face Mask

You need 2 tbsp brown sugar and ¼ cup of milk. Place brown sugar in a small cup. Add a little milk; keep
adding until it looks soupy. Apply over your entire face. Scrub gently and let it sit for 30 mins. Wash off
using cold water and pat dry.

8. Moisturizer

Brown sugar is a natural humectant. It draws moisture from the environment and transfers it to the skin. It
serves as a natural moisturize which keeps the skin soft and at the same time hydrated. Raw sugar is
coarse. Brown sugar is gentler than salt, and softer than granulated sugar.

9. Radiant Glow

As brown sugar exfoliates dead cells from the outer skin and hydrates the skin, it gives the skin a shiny
glow. It works to prevent and moderate problems of tanned skin. It can be applied on legs, back, and
shoulders.

10. Removes Scars

Application of brown sugar helps to lighten skin and diminish the scars. Glycolic acid present in brown
sugar is known to make the skin fairer. It also controls the melanin formation.

11. Prevents Acne

Brown sugar naturally exfoliates, and removes dead cells. It hydrates the skin and promotes healthy skin
cleansing and circulation. Those prone to acne can opt for brown sugar facials to prevent acne and
pimples, and to capture that perfect selfie with glowing skin. Brown sugar facial mask also has
antibacterial properties.

How to store

Empty it into an airtight container and store it in a cool dry place. A piece of bread or apple may be laid on
top to make sure it doesn’t get hard. If you don’t use it often, it may be stored in the freezer, and then put
on the counter to soften for a few hours before using.

How to soften

If it has already gotten hard, don’t despair. Place a piece of apple or bread in a container with the brown
sugar and seal it for about two days – it should be soft. If you are baking and you need it right away, you
can do one of two things:

● Place it in a 250-degree oven on a baking sheet for a few minutes. As it softens, stir it

around and check frequently until it’s soft, but be careful not to melt it.

● Put it on a plate and place it in the microwave beside a small bowl of water. Microwave for

about 1 minute, and check to see if it’s soft. If it isn’t, do it every few seconds until it’s the
right consistency.

Tricks for keeping brown sugar soft

● Store with a piece of terra cotta. Scrub clean the terra cotta and then soak it in water for 15

minutes. After soaking pat it dry and place in the container or bag. You can also buy
ceramic brown sugar savers at Bed Bath & Beyond, Target and kitchen stores like Sur La
Table.
 ● Add a few medium-size marshmallows to the brown sugar.

Brown Sugar Facts

Brown sugar is simply white sugar mixed with molasses. Therefore, brown sugar can hold its shape like
wet sand, while white sugar cannot. Raw sugar is also generally brown in color, and forms when the juice
of sugar cane evaporates. However, many people refer to brown sugar as granulated white sugar with
molasses added to it. Brown sugar may contain slightly more essential nutrients than white sugar, it isn’t
necessarily healthy.

Side Effects of brown sugar

In general, brown sugar has the same side effects as white sugar on your health. Frequent consumption

of brown sugar can lead to increased risk of weight gain, heart problems, cancer, inflammation, diabetes

II, and other chronic conditions. Indulging in brown sugar occasionally will not devastate your health—

though it should be avoided as a diet staple!