I've heard that sugar, and especially brown sugar, loses its flavor over time. Is this true?
I've heard that you can revitalized lumpty or hard brown sugar, but also that doing so doesn't recover the actual flavor. Does baking with other brown sugar that is "revitalized" really impact cookie flavor? What about white granulatd sugar?
Best Answer
White sugar is generally sucrose and has been heavily refined, so it won't undergo any chemical changes over time. In fact, sugar is actually used as a preservative.
Brown sugar is a bit different. It gets hard simply because it loses moisture - i.e. the water evaporates - and that won't cause the taste to change. However, some people have reported brown sugar actually fermenting on its own (also here). This fermentation is more likely to happen than in white sugar due to the presence of molasses.
It takes a long time for fermentation to occur, but it can definitely occur, and that will most certainly change the flavour. I'm not sure if I'd call it "losing" the flavour; some might argue that the presence of alcohol is a good thing, although fermented sugar obviously will not be as sweet.
I would not worry about the flavour of brown sugar that has merely hardened; if it smells like alcohol, though, you might want to be more careful.
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Quick Answer about "I've heard that sugar, and especially brown sugar, loses its flavor over time. Is this true?"
White sugar is generally sucrose and has been heavily refined, so it won't undergo any chemical changes over time. In fact, sugar is actually used as a preservative. Brown sugar is a bit different. It gets hard simply because it loses moisture - i.e. the water evaporates - and that won't cause the taste to change.Does brown sugar lose its flavor?
Does brown sugar go bad? No, as long as it is kept in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. The texture and taste will change slightly after two years, but it's not a sign of spoilage. Brown sugar's distinct sweetness is great for barbecue sauces, marinades, and glazes for savory dishes.Does sugar lose its sweetness over time?
And we're not just talking about pure sugar, either. According to Eat By Date, granulated white sugar, white sugar cubes, raw sugar, brown sugar, powdered sugar, sugar substitute, Equal, and Sweet n Low all last indefinitely. Although their textures might change, sugar never completely expires.Does brown sugar change the taste?
White and brown sugar are used similarly in cooking. However, brown sugar contains molasses, which will affect the taste and color of food.Does brown sugar have more flavor?
You can taste it too: dark brown sugar has a slightly more complex flavor, one which people often characterize as similar to caramel or toffee.Tones And I - Dance Monkey (Lyrics)
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