Forms and Sourcing of Sugar
In its crystalline form, sugar contributes to the structure, texture, and appearance of many recipes and baked goods. Both packaged and bulk sugars are available in the Indian market, with a focus on checking for freshness, color, and fragrance when making a purchase. Opting for reputable sugar brands ensures quality, characterized by free movement and dry granules.
Roles of Sugar in Every Household
Sugar plays various roles in Indian households, influencing the physical characteristics and mouthfeel of foods in several ways:
Bulking Agent: Adding Texture and Bulk
Sugar acts as a bulking agent, contributing texture and bulk to numerous dishes. This enhances the overall eating experience and physical characteristics of the food.
Baking Applications: Promoting Lightness
In baking, sugar interacts with leavening agents to create air cells, promoting lightness in baked goods. It prevents surface cracking in cookies and biscuits and stabilizes the whipped foam structure of cake batters.
Preservative: Extending Shelf Life
Sugar's humectant properties maintain water content, slowing the growth of bacteria, molds, and yeast in jams and preserves. This preservation characteristic extends the shelf life of various foods.
Flavor Enhancer: Balancing Taste
As a flavor enhancer, sugar balances the taste of sour fruits or porridge and enhances fruit flavors in various dishes, making them more palatable.
Color Contributor: Maillard Reaction
Sugar from the top sugar manufacturing companies in India contributes to the color and flavor of cooked foods through the Maillard reaction, producing desirable brown/caramel tones.
Storage Guidelines for Sugar
Proper storage is crucial to maintaining sugar's quality
Sugar should be stored in an airtight container.
A cool, dry and dark place is ideal for preserving sugar.
With a long shelf life of up to a year sugar should be tightly capped.
To prevent clumping sugar must be kept away from moisture and humidity.
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